Notepad Preview...

Since Primitives by Kathy just released their latest fall/winter catalog supplement, I thought it would be fun to share with you a peek at my latest illustrated fall notepads that are hot off the press! This is just a sample as there are even more goodies offered. Perhaps, I'll post more later this month.....so, stay tuned for that.

These notepapers are super great for gifts to friends or to yourself as they make list-writing and note-taking extra fun! :)

~ Johanna


* Two fun mini notes for fall....


* Gotta love those fall leaves....


* More fun notepads in various sizes....

© 2008 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Hats off to Halloween!...

I took a little break from sculpting Bethany Lowe Christmas designs to illustrate a new series of Halloween hats for my one-of-a-kind characters. Each year, I make a point to create at least 2 new party hat designs for my annual collection of originals. This year, I will have 3, an owl theme, a black cat theme, and a whimsical stack of jack-o'-lanterns. So, now that the hats are ready, I need to sculpt the characters!

Anyway, I'll post a couple pics I took the other day when I was assembling these whimsical accessories.....

~ Johanna


* Jack, the real black cat decided to snag my seat, so I gave him a festive collar to match...Now, if only I could get him to wear one of my hats....hmmmm


* Hats, in various sizes, dry along my work counter and will be stored until I create the characters that will wear them....

© 2008 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Garden in June....

Well, as promised, I've taken some more photos out in my perennial garden. June and July are my most favorite months to enjoy the colorful blooms and watch the plants grow! It's truly amazing how this perennial bed has come to life, and it certainly offers much inspiration to an artist like myself. I only wish I had more time to spend in it, but I try to at least peek in and walk the path each day, observing nature along with the birds and insects that frequent this space. ENJOY!...

~ Johanna


* The wooden arbor (which JP and I were married under in our parent's backyard) welcomes the curious and leads you along a flagstone trail....


* A view from the side glancing at that trail that we created almost 10 years ago...


* Richly colored magenta clematis flowers just bloomed and climb a column of rusty wire remesh...


* Red roses climb an old white fence in the foreground...


* Peeking in at the arbor, the garden calls you in....


* Old rusty treasures decorate the natural landscape, while adding interest and texture...


* The treadle of an old sewing machine serves as the base for a planter along with a funky old motel chair and milk can...


* Looking down across the top of an old rusty gate, flowers sprawl about in all directions...


* Brilliant orange blooms contrast against a field of green textures...


* An old scale serves as the perfect hanging container for annual flowers and alerts us when it's time to water again...


* A sweet northern flicker awaits his turn to feed on the seed...


* Another view of the arbor entrance....


* Looking back from the patio and out onto the yard...

Halloween Tease...

I have been a Halloween Hermit all month! For me, May has been a blur of whimsical orange and black bats, owls, jack-o'-lanterns and cats as I have been busily working on my first Halloween product submission for Bethany Lowe Designs! I am thrilled to now be working with this very talented and reputable company, and look forward to seeing my holiday collections debut in January! If only I had more patience.....

So, this may explain why I have been missing in action. It's a relief to have this group of goodies complete, and I can't wait to share them with you next year! For now, I'll post a few teaser pics of just a few of my original samples. Stay tuned for my collection of candy containers, collectibles and festive party hats coming your way!

~ Johanna














© 2008 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Spring in My Garden...

I love this time of year. As the earth reawakens with vigor, I can smell the scent of sweet blooms all around. The young, rich green hue of leaves and foliage unfurling and grass sprouting up awakens my senses. And fortunately, my perennial flower garden once again thrives after a long winter's sleep.

This morning, I took a few photos of my outdoor refuge. I find it amazing that within just a few weeks, it has truly come to life! Yet, it still has far to go before reaching its maturity for the year, as soon there will be splashes of color scattered about and plants growing to new heights while others cascade. Of course, I look forward to experiencing that! I promise to take more photos of its progress. For now, enjoy.....

~ Johanna


* Delicate flowers from this Bleeding Heart plant dangle in the breeze... I am certain that they have inspired artists alike for many years...


* An old rusty gate invites visitors to enter, but good luck finding the stepping stones...


* A bee visits the bloom of this Bachelor's Button plant....


* Our stone path that snakes through the garden to a shaded patio is already disappearing by happy ground covering plants....


* A pair of sweet Aliums stand in unison.... I just love these.....

Once in a Lifetime Retreat...

In this case, I guess it's true when they say, "it's not what you know, but who you know...." Fortunately for JP and myself, we had the very unique opportunity to stay a couple nights at the Ritz Carlton in Beaver Creek as guests! The fiance of my husband's sister has made some connections with various affluent clients who are willing to share their getaway destinations with him. So, when they asked us if we'd like to come up and stay with them in the 11th floor penthouse, (where supposedly numerous celebrities have stayed ) it was hard to say no!

Let me tell you, this place was over-the-top with grand furnishings, 4 bedrooms, 5 bathrooms, a fully stocked kitchen, a dining area and cozy fireplace den along with a wine cellar and a private stairway exit for those certain guests of fame who'd prefer to not be seen. Coming from a fairly humble background, I've never experienced anything quite like it, and I certainly cannot imagine spending a high 4-digit per night figure to stay here. But when it's complimentary, then it's certainly an experience well worth checking out :) I'll post a few images below of our fantasy getaway...

~ Johanna


* The two of us down by the pool in our guest robes...


* JP dips his toe in the water... the steep facade of the lodge-style Ritz Carlton looms behind him...


* The view from the main balcony of the penthouse overlooks a ski run...They say this is the best time of year to relax there as it's quiet with ski season being over...


* Looking down at the pool and hot tubs...


* A day trip to Vail... JP and I lean against a bridge over a mountain creek...

Cat Welcoming Committee...

My artist & collector friend, Lory in California surprised me with some fun photos yesterday! Her "KatKids" as she calls LilyPad and Mr.Moon had to give their official welcoming sniff to her newest Johanna Parker Design adoptee from my Full Moon Web Sale, and she captured the moment!... Just thought I'd share! I'm a sucker for all things cat-related! (feel free to email me your fun pics of my artworks in your home! It's always a pleasure to see where they live and perhaps how your 4-legged companions react to them... Just don't leave them alone with that folk art!!) :-)
Thanks again Lory for sharing these fun pics with us!

Happy Week,
~ Johanna


* Sniff, sniff, sniff.... did "LilyLuna" pass LilyPad's test?


* I think they've already lost interest here.... hehe....

Happy Fool-O-Ween!

Another fun and unique EHAG group challenge cross-over piece of mine has just posted on eBay!.. This time the theme was to create a piece inspired by both April Fool's and Halloween (of course....) So, I created this whimsical black cat jester candy cup. He's got quite the catitude! he he.... You can click on the image below to visit my auction page. Thanks for looking!!!

~ Johanna



© 2008 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Full Moon Web Sale!

In honor of this month's full moon, I am having a Full Moon Web Sale on this Sunday, April 20th! On the afternoon of sale day, I will be updating my Folk Art Originals page with my latest one-of-a-kind creations. Stay tuned for black cats, owls and bats with a lunar twist! And yes, the sale falls on the full moon of this month!

Have a moon-derful week!

~ Johanna

© 2008 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Feathered Visitors...

It's been a busy, bustling week of flapping feathers and chirping calls in our backyard bird haven. Each year around this time when the robins visit in masses to nibble on juniper berries and bathe, I know that spring is just around the corner. I just love that......

This week, I captured a few fun bird moments at our community bird bath and around various roosts in our yard. The highlight was an owl visitor at dusk that quietly perched on a branch, eyes darting all about! I've never seen an owl in our yard, and I'm sure my smaller bird friends were not as excited as I was upon his visit! But, it was quite a treat....(Hmmm, and guess what I'm sculpting now.... hoot hoot! ) These little critters are full of inspiration for me......

I'll post a few photos below for you to enjoy......

~ Johanna


* Two robins look about between sips of cool water....


* A small owl perches on a low juniper branch at dusk, hence the grainy photo, but you can still see him.... Jack (my cat) and I had our noses pressed against the glass!


* My spoiled sparrow friends eat seeds from a large terracotta dish..Typically, you'll see squirrels feeding here throughout the day..... See, JP's nice stonework too...


* Adorable zoom of a sparrow, nestled in the tree....


* A sweet robin in silhouette roosts on the peek of our garage roof.... I love that pic....


* Two starlings bathe in the same water the robins were just drinking from..... Hmmm, I guess that's acceptable bird etiquette :)


* The robin at right watches his buddy munch down a juniper berry.... cute!


* What are you looking at?!!!!
SaveSave

Proud Daughter....

I wanted to share some fun news for those who like to peruse the pages of home decorating magazines! My parents' colonial home was chosen as one of Country Sampler's favorites and is featured in their current HOME TOUR EDITION! Back in the spring of 2005, Country Sampler published a nice article showcasing my mother's folk art and her primitive decor in their home in Washington state. And to our surprise, they have featured it once again! I will post a few teaser images below, but do go get a copy if you'd like to read more and see other photos of her unique, period-style decorating. Yes, clearly my inspiration to design, decorate and create with my hands has been passed down from my creative mother :) Congrats to you Mom!

Love,
~ Johanna


* Look for this cover at the stores.....


* The article opens with this inviting photo of their dining room, one of my favorite rooms in their house.... CLICK to enlarge...


* A snapshot of their upstairs bedroom, laden with blue & cream ticking and other woven textiles... CLICK to enlarge...


* A warmly lit vignette including a patriotic pair of my retired designs produced by Primitives by Kathy...


* Instructions on how to make my mom's German style sheep..... Baaaaaa
CLICK to enlarge....

By the way, my friends “photographer/stylist/writer” duo Donna Pizzi and Philip Clayton-Thompson of Blackstone Edge Studios did my mom's photo shoot! Their photography also made the cover of this issue. (The two of them also photographed my home in 2005 for Cottage Style magazine)
PHOTOGRAPHS, © 2008 Emmis Publishing LP

~ The full article is 8 pages long and features other intriguing rooms, including their kitchen, keeping room, living room, laundry and master bath....Go get a copy! :-)

* A photo I took last summer of the exterior of their red, center chimney home...

Happy HallowGreen!...

In the spirit of Leprechauns and all things Green, I have created another fun cross-over Halloween piece! EHAG's March challenge was to create something in the HALLOWGREEN theme, and what fun! So, once again, I'm offering another unique and collectible candy cup for my Halloween collector friends....

You can click on the images below to visit my eBay auction starting none other than tomorrow evening, on St.Patrick's Day! Thanks for looking :)

~ Johanna


* My first black cat in Leprechaun garb.... What a fun blend!


* Is that a pot of gold?...No, it's a jack-o'-lantern but of course!! :-)


© 2008 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Studio Pics...

Well, I know I am a little delayed in taking photos of my studio like I had promised back in January, but better late than never, right?! At the start of the year, I was on an organizational kick, clearing out the clutter and making more space for design work.

JP had the great idea of splitting a funky old white shelf in half, and then framing my drafting table with 2 short shelves on either side. Now, it's not in my face any more, and much of the clutter has been resorted and stored into mesh drawers. The shelves now serve as a place to house my colored pencils and pens, other art supplies and just inspirational art objects.

The old window frame that hovers over my desk has been a fun element for color and creativity. Rescued from a pile of cast-offs, I painted it magenta, hung it and have been adding little trinkets, vintage finds and other artists' works on it now for several years. I often gaze at it as I enter my imagination. The first reaction of those who step into my studio room is always a treat! Their eyes pop open as they absorb all the colors and whimsy of the characters and collections that live on the upper shelves of the walls. Words like "carvinal" and "eye candy" are often blurted out... Yes, it's a bit unusual, but I have a good excuse! I'm an artist, a bit eccentric and enjoy visual forms of expression! :) Enjoy the photos.....

~ Johanna


* Me, at my drafting desk.....


* A wide shot of my workspace.... This is where I illustrate.... (my messy papier mache workroom resides in the basement)


* Me again, contemplating a drawing.....


* My funky window of inspirations and other goodies that keep me company as I illustrate...


* From the window, a vintage Halloween JOL smiles down at me, along with one of my illustrated candy boxes, and a fun paper '31' ornament made by artist friend, Kitty Forseth.....


* Me and my pal Jack!

Field Trip ~ BIG CATS!...

It's March 1st, and a simply delightful day for a field trip to visit one of the country's largest wildlife sanctuaries here in Colorado. We made a spontaneous trip to meet JP's sisters and family for a self-guided tour of the grounds. I didn't realize this refuge was so close to home, so we drove out to Hudson to support the admirable efforts to save abandoned and abused wild cats, bears, and other beautiful creatures.

The refuge is called The Wild Animal Sanctuary, and they have a series of suspended bridges, platforms and lookout towers where you can look out and below at over 100 cats, including lions, tigers, spotted and black leopards and mountain lions. I took some photos to share with my friends in blogland, so enjoy!

~ Johanna

* Ahhh, I only ~wish~ I could curl up and snuggle with these furry creatures, but I think I will just leave that to my imagination!..... Time for a cat nap.....

* This is a great overhead zoom I got!.... Looks like I was standing directly over this sleeping beauty, but a bridge kept us apart.....


* Wow!....Big lazy lions were sun-bathing in a distant field.... Their composure reminds me of our domesticated cat companions.....


* A zoom on this lazy lion......


* A tiger laps up water on our warmest day of the year so far......


* Look at the exotic patterns on this dark-colored tiger..... wow!


* A lioness relaxes next to her large bathtub.... she looks so gentle....(from a distance)


* A colony of blackbirds perching in this old, crooked tree caught my eye as we were leaving the grounds.... I'm drawn to natural compositions such as this.....

As always, I have birds and cats on the brain :)

R & R....

Ahhhh, I'm still reminiscing over our 3 night R&R getaway last week to the mountains. JP and I enjoy rejuvenating ourselves in the hot mineral waters that seep from the earth here in Colorado. And even though it's quite chilly outside in February, a soothing soak in those steamy waters warms us right up!

A quick escape to the Collegiate Peaks offered the perfect refuge. We spent our first night in a newly built cabin at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and enjoyed soaking in their hot pools that line the river below. Then, the following days, we enjoyed taking several dips in our very own private bath just up the road. There, we stayed in a cozy, turn of the century cabin, reading Eckhart Tolle's inspirational books while enjoying the warm glow of a fire. Both cabins included all the amenities, so we took our food in tow and enjoyed making meals for one another....

It was great!... And I realize that we need to do that more often to recharge and reconnect with both one another and with ourselves. When life gets crazy-busy as often ours does, take a break..... Go soaking :) And, I feel so blessed to live in such a picturesque place that can easily take my breath away and warm my soul!

~ Johanna

* The view before our descent down to the cabins nestled along the river... Brrrrrr, but yet how breathtaking......


* The hazy steam from the hot spring pools alongside the river surrounds JP soaking below....


* I stand in front of the old Cottonwood Log Cabin..... Look at the snow!


* I sneak up to steal a pic of JP in the private pool right outside the Cottonwood Cabin...


* JP starts the fire with a smile... Soot from many fires ago creates a time-worn patina between a wall of various-shaped quartz rocks...

Happy Valloween!

Well, as you know, it is the month of LOVE.... And this year, the Eclectic Halloween Artists' Group (EHAG) has put a loving twist on our passion for Halloween! Our group challenge was to create a "Valloween" piece for eBay, and luckily I was able to squeeze in the time to participate!

Click on the 2 photos below to visit my auction page to see more images, details and to bid if you so desire! It's a 7 day auction, ending on Sunday, Feb. 10. Dear winner, with a quick payment via Paypal, I can ship this sweetie to you on that following Monday, in hopes he will reach your home right on Valentine's Day! Remember, you can always
search under "EHAG" to see what various artist members are offering. Right now, the theme is certainly Valloween! THANKS for LOOKING!

xoxo,
~ Johanna



* Our EHAG group banner for this month's group Challenge...


* You can see the Valloween love-exchange between the blushing cat and the sweet Jack-o'-Lantern peering down at him on his hat ;-)


PS... It seems as though my email contact links on my web site may be misbehaving again. :-(  Please note that you can email me at either johannaparker@mac.com or johannaparker@qwestoffice.net. When I get this worked out, I'll let ya know!
© 2007 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Blossoms of Light...

A few nights ago, JP and I made a date to experience the Denver Botanic Gardens' magical exhibit of glowing lights. Despite the cold factor, we had a fun time, but we did find ourselves walking with a brisk gait in order to keep warm...brrrrrrr! After we walked through the twinkling gardens, we stopped indoors for a dose of heat and to visit a colossal display case that JP recently built for the gardens to house their botanical drawings in.... I'll post some photos below..... Enjoy...

~ Johanna


* Me, in silhouette, sitting on a bench in front of a glowing tree.....


* A closer look at the tree above...Wow! What patience they must have had wrapping those lights so tightly around and around that trunk!


* Peek-a-boo!... Can you find JP?.....


* Me, crouching below a trio of red & white striped trees.....


* JP on a magenta-lit path leading to the main building.....


* Indoors, JP stands in front of this amazing display case that he built for the gardens...


* A closer look at the beautiful Pomele Sappele wood that makes this showcase so stunning....

Rise & Shine!...

* Another illustration from my new line of notepads.....

Happy 2008! It's the 11th day of a new year, and I have been so busy that I have not made the time to visit my own blog. My hubby and I have been on a cleaning and organizational spree since '08 rolled in. With a little motivation and planning, together we have transformed my messy studio room into an efficient work space for the both of us to actually "function" in! Ha!.... Now, he even has his own desk, and I can actually find my drafting table! I avoided it for months, especially during my busy season where I spent long days in the basement sculpting. But, I have to say that it's worth the extra effort to take a little time to wade through the piles and organize! We even took a little field trip to the Container Store to find a few fun alternatives to store our "important stuff" in rather than letting things pile up and allowing the dust to settle....

Now, we're on to the basement for more fun! Oh boy, that WILL be a challenge....

When I get a sec, I'll take a few pics and post them here. For now, I just wanted to check in and say hi and encourage you to get on with the organizational projects too! Everybody's doing it! Join in on the fun :)

~ Johanna

New Designs for a New Year...

As this year nears it's 365th day, I realize that we are about to start Chapter 2008. What opportunities and challenges will I face, and what creative projects will I start and hopefully finish? This nearing new year holds the answers, and I am hopeful that it will again be a year of abundance, inspiration and exciting possibilities.

Unlike this year, I hope to make more time for my illustration passion in the months to come. I spent so many of my days sculpting and painting my folk art in 2007 that I barely made space to draw. Fortunately, I was able to illustrate a small, but fresh collection of notepads for the new Primitives by Kathy '08 catalog. With little time to spare, I centered my designs around my love of nature and animals (of course!). So, I'll post a few of these latest drawings below. My fingers are crossed that I can spend more creative time developing my illustration portfolio and perhaps someday be able to offer you a line of greeting cards, party ware, children's books, etc etc etc.......

Happy New Year to all, and may this next chapter be filled with joy, imagination and many blessings!

~ Johanna


* Hmmm, birds perching and fluttering around feeders certainly do look familiar... I guess my bird-watching hobby inspires my art!
© 2007 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.
SaveSave

A White Colorado Christmas...

We woke up to a winter wonderland today... Reminiscent of a nostalgic scene from a child's storybook, the snow was falling and forming fluffy piles on the rooftops and across the frosty landscape. We bundled up in layers and went outside. I filled the feeders and took some photos while JP shoveled snow, creating little foot paths for us to find our way. I think we have about 5 inches and counting as it continues to fall in significant amounts.... I'll post a few pics below. Merry Christmas to all!

~ Johanna


* JP stands with shovel in hand, clearing a path to the front door...


* Small birds (I believe they are Juncos...?) peck through a layer of snow to find their seed...


* I made a covered feeding station for my squirrel friends... Now sheltered under an old chair, their food will stay dry....


* JP shovels a path up to our unfinished potting shed....