Just Joined Twitter!...

Ok, so I took the plunge once again and just opened a Twitter account! Bear with me as I figure out this (new to me) social networking site.... So far, I changed my picture and added a whimsical background. Now, I just need some fun news and lots of followers :) To become a follower and receive art related updates...........
Go to: http://twitter.com/jparkerdesign Thanks for playing along!
PS.. last week I finally explored Facebook...... I'm wondering what next week will bring! Ha!...Like I have time...... :) Gosh, what would our ancestors think of all of this?!

~ Johanna

It's a Messy Job.....

But, somebody's gotta do it, right?! :) Today, JP snapped some photos of me mixing up a batch of papier mache. Let me tell you, it's sticky, gooey, and dusty all at once! Mixing this stuff is certainly not the most glamorous step, but it is indeed necessary if I want to sculpt anything. Lucky for me, JP recently upgraded my messy-zone and added a nice fan for ventilation so I'm not inhaling that dusty powder. Ahhhh...... Anyway, we were having fun taking pictures of the process, and I was hoping to get a little sympathy from you!....hehe! Enjoy the peek at a day in the life of a papier mache folk artist......

~ Johanna


* See how my left hand stays dry as it adds powder to the bowl, while my right hand gets wet while mixing the batch.....


* Watch out!... Frenzied folk artist on the loose!....


* See how it fills the cracks in my skin and packs deep under my fingernails.... Lovely....

* Mix mix mix as I smile.....


* I knew those long fingers would come in handy....

1st Halloween Original of the Year!...

Gosh, it's been about 5 months since I posted an original on eBay! Where does the time go? Well, this fun crow candy cup, initially intended for a spring color palette, evolved into a Halloween blackbird yesterday! I basically ran out of time and set him aside to paint later. Now that he's complete and the only Halloween original available from my home studio right now, I thought it would be fun to put him up for auction. If you agree and approve, feel free to place a bid :) I appreciate each and every one and thank you as always. You can visit this festive crow's auction page by clicking on the images below. Thanks for looking and playing along!

~ Johanna


* Inspired by EHAG's 3rd Birthday and "Frightful Fete" theme is this unique Halloween blackbird. With a festive bow tie and party hat, he is ready to celebrate!...

* He's frightfully sweet, candy corns and all....


* Watch out for that beak!...

© 2009 Johanna Parker Design * Halloween Crow is the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Happy Easter!

Wishing one and all a Happy Easter weekend!... May you have an eggcellent time with family, friends and all of your charming critter pals.

xoxo,
Johanna, JP & Jack


* Jack proudly wears one of my whimsical spring party hats for the season, fashionable for both people and apparently pets (if they are willing!).....

CATCH the Red Bird if you can!...

Calling all bird lovers!... A new Collector's Catch piece just posted on my website! GO TO my Website to see details and be sure to click on the image for more views and descriptions. I rarely make all-seasonal pieces, so this whimsical bird was a cheerful diversion for me. Please send me an email if you'd like to adopt this cute, one of a kind red bird, and later I will update the page to reveal who caught this collectible piece!....

Thanks again for looking!
~ Johanna
CONTACT: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com

UPDATE!.. My collector and artist friend, Kristi of The Old Oaken Bucket in Tennessee caught this birdie just a few hours after it appeared! Thank You so much!... It's always a surprise to see who will be the first to catch a piece!


SaveSave

EHAG's Frightful Fete!

While I was away on a much needed vacation with my hubby, my fellow Halloween artist friends of EHAG were busy creating gifts for you! I was hopeful to participate in this special giveaway in honor of EHAG's 3rd Birthday, but the time slipped quickly by. Nonetheless, I invite you to peek at the unique Halloween creations they are offering to you. Just click on our Frightful Fete logo below and venture over to EHAG's blog! Good luck and may you be one of the lucky winners!

~ Johanna

Homegrown in the Gallery!...

Happy April 1st to all! Today is the commencement of TFA's first ever online gallery show! The theme is "Homegrown in the Gallery - A Spring Welcoming," and I have contributed a special one of a kind piece. The event now begins at noon today EST, and a portion of each purchase goes to the American Cancer Society, another portion goes to funding TFA's online artist directory, and the shipping on each artist's art piece is free! You can sneak a peek at my bunny candy cup contribution below. Just click on her image to visit the main sale page! THANK YOU! :)

~ Johanna

Spring Collector's Sets are Here!...

Today, I am releasing a new series of my collectible spring designs! I have grouped these reproductions into Collector's Sets, and each piece has been inspected and signed by me, the artist! I think you will really enjoy these pieces perfect for a spring grouping in your home, or perhaps shared with family friends. Please email me if you would like me to reserve a special set for you. Quantities are limited, and I would like to ship these asap.... Click on the following images for details and price.

Thanks for looking!
~ Johanna
CONTACT: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com


* "Duck-Duck Bluebird Set," signed by the artist and exclusively designed for Bethany Lowe Designs...

* "Honey Bunny Set," signed by the artist and exclusively designed for Bethany Lowe Designs...

* "BBB Set," signed by the artist and exclusively designed for Bethany Lowe Designs...

* "Glass Jars & Chickie Set," signed by the artist and exclusively designed for Bethany Lowe Designs...


* "Sail Away Set," signed by the artist and exclusively designed for Primitives by Kathy...


* "Beach is Calling Set," signed by the artist and exclusively designed for Primitives by Kathy...

PS: Thank you to all of my loyal collectors who checked in right as my Spring Web Sale of Originals began! I appreciate your support and determination, and I thank you for adopting all of my one of a kind creations so quickly!

CATCH this Botanical Birdie if you can!

And here's the last of my Spring-themed Collector's Catch pieces that just appeared on my website! GO TO my Website to see details and be sure to click on the image for more views and descriptions. Please send me an email if you'd like to adopt this cute, one of a kind botanical birdie, and later I will update the page to reveal who caught this collectible spring bird with panache!....

Thanks again for looking!
~ Johanna
CONTACT: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com

UPDATE!.. My collector friend, Ramona in California caught this birdie a bit over an hour after posting it! Thank You so much!... I hope everyone enjoyed my series of Spring Collector's Catch pieces this week. I will have more spring delights tomorrow on my web sale, so check back if you'd like to adopt a special collectible.

Spring Web Sale, Saturday!...



Just a reminder for my online collector friends that I'm hosting a Spring Web Sale this Saturday on my website! I will be updating my Folk Art Originals page with close to a dozen one of a kind spring folk art delights! I will also have a link to a series of Artist-Signed Reproduction Collector Sets that I have put together for you featuring collectibles from my new Bethany Lowe spring line and beach-themed goods from my Primitives by Kathy line! Lots of eye candy awaits you on Saturday. For more details and the specific start time, please email me to join my mailing list. My mailing list friends ALWAYS get the full scoop :)

Thanks for saving the date and stopping by!
~ Johanna
SaveSave

CATCH this Cat Candy Egg Cup if you can!...

Here's another fun Spring-themed Collector's Catch piece that just popped up on my website! GO TO my Website to see details and be sure to click on the image for more views and descriptions. Please send me an email if you'd like to adopt this cute, one of a kind cat candy cup, and later I will update the page to reveal who caught this collectible spring piece!....

Thanks again for looking!
~ Johanna
CONTACT: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com

UPDATE!.. I woke up this morning to find that Deb in Pennsylvania had her request in first to catch this kitty! That's 2 CC pieces for you so far, and Thank You so much!... Stay tuned for one more Collector's Catch piece to appear later this week. Thanks for looking!

CATCH this Egg Cup Birdie if you can!...

And another fun Spring-themed Collector's Catch piece has just popped up on my website! GO TO my Website to see details and be sure to click on the image for more views and descriptions. Please send me an email if you'd like to adopt this sweet, one of a kind bluebird candy cup, and later I will update the page to reveal who caught this feathered friend!....

Thanks again for looking!
~ Johanna
CONTACT: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com

UPDATE!.. Another great collector friend of mine, Janet in California, caught this piece just 30 minutes after posting it!... Thank You so much!... Stay tuned for a couple more Collector's Catch pieces to appear later this week. Thanks for looking!

Scenes from the Spring Fling!...

For those of you who would like a peek at this weekend's festive Spring Fling event here in Denver, I have a treat for you!...JP and I took lots of pictures to document the show and share with you. And how fortunate we were to have a great turnout of spring shoppers eager to see all the latest treasures. Thank you to all who marked your calendars and made a special trip to come by and see us. Luckily, the weather was a delight all weekend, and the warm sun, pouring through the historic Phipps Tennis Pavilion's glass ceiling, kept our cheeks rosy for hours on end. Enjoy the photos below! ~ Johanna

*PS... Online collector friends: Mark your calendars for this coming Saturday March 21st when I will be hosting a Spring Web Sale on my website featuring a fun collection of both my originals and a nice variety of Signed Reproduction Collector's Sets for you to choose from! For specific details on the sale start time and more, please email me to join my mailing list: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com


* A wide image of the left side of my booth displaying a fun assortment of my spring designs...


*A whimsical butterfly clip perches on a sweet feather tree...


* That's me in my spring garb!...


* Sweet bunnies and birds from my new line of Bethany Lowe Spring designs patiently wait to meet their new owners...


* There's my cutie-pie hubby wearing his festive spring shirt...


* Another glance at my spring display. Illustrated candy boxes hang from clothespins on a pink tinsel garland while spring party hats hover atop an old window screen...


* A peek at my new beach line offered through Primitives by Kathy... Papier mache sand pails and sea gulls complement each other...


* A quick snap of me ringing up a sale taken from the Pink Attic Cat's booth next door...


* A view from outside reveals this lovely 1932 structure where we all played store for the weekend! You can see the glass roof peeking up above the barn-like brick structure...


* A delicious lunch, created by the tasteful Erica McNeish who offered a scrumptious variety of edibles for shoppers all weekend!...


* A trio of my spring party hats add a festive flare to the scene!

*ALSO* Keep a look out this week for a few new Collector's Catch pieces to pop up on my website! Good luck & thanks for looking :)
SaveSave

Countdown!...

Well, the Spring Fling is just around the corner, and I'm not quite ready just yet ~ story of my life!... JP and I spent several days rearranging our basement and creating a larger space for me to spread out my product inventory, shipping boxes and packing materials. It looks like a warehouse down there, but I am grateful to have the space! We've been unwrapping my latest spring reproduction designs, inspecting each one, and I have been signing each collectible, one by one. Little by little, I'm able to pack them away in preparation for this weekend's show. There's so much to consider like what props to bring, fabrics to dress the tables with and other adornments to make it just right. I wish I had weeks to think about it, but I just really began thinking about it all today!... Yikes! Well, with any luck, things will look festive on Saturday. Stay tuned for more photos from this weekend's show!

~ Johanna



PS.. Hope you all enjoyed my latest Collector's Catch piece!... Congrats to Deb for snagging this unique bird pictured below. Luckily, I created a few more standing birds, each unique and up for adoption this weekend. Come early for the best pickings!

CATCH the birdie if you can!...

Finally, a new Spring-themed Collector's Catch piece just popped up on my website! GO TO my Website to see details and be sure to click on the image for more views and descriptions. Please send me an email if you'd like to adopt this sweet, one of a kind blue bird, and later I will update the page to reveal who caught the birdie!....

Thanks again for looking!
~ Johanna
CONTACT: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com

UPDATE!.. A great collector friend of mine, Deb in Pennsylvania, caught this piece just a few hours after posting it!... Thank You!... I'm so glad you checked as you never know what you may catch! For those of you hoping to catch a special one of a kind in the future, remember to click "Follow this Blog," at left and your Blogger Dashboard will update each time I create a new post. It's a great way to keep up with any new surprise Collector's Catch pieces, and a way to show your support and interest in my folk art as well :)



© 2009 Johanna Parker Design * Spring bluebird is the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Preparing for Spring!...

I know it's been a little while since I posted, and I can explain :) I have been super busy sculpting and painting a new collection of one of a kind spring originals for the 4th Annual Spring Fling Show here in Denver, and it's next weekend! It completely snuck up on me (as usual)! So, I need to get back at it, but just wanted to check in.... For those of you locals wanting a dose of spring fun, please stop by to say hi and see my latest designs. I will be debuting my new spring collection that I created for Bethany Lowe along with a fun beach-themed series of pieces that I designed for Primitives by Kathy. Of course, I'll have a cheerful variety of illustrated notepads in case you're running low, in need of fun little gifts or are just ready to add some whimsy to your list-writing practice!! I hope to see you soon! It will be a treat!

And to all of my online collector friends who cannot make this Colorado event, please check my website over the next couple of weeks for at least one or perhaps more new Collector's Catch pieces. And if all goes well, I may host a Spring Web Sale this month
as well. So stay tuned! Back at it....
~ Johanna


* That's me sketching ideas for patterns on candy containers and cups.....

* A bird in the works!.... Don't worry, I won't forget to paint in the eyes :)

* Paint paint paint is all I have been doing for days!.... I wish I were faster, but then I'd neglect the details that I enjoy adding to each original piece....

© 2009 Johanna Parker Design * Spring designs and photos are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.
SaveSave

Another Halloween Tease!...

Well, I said I would share a few more teaser pics of my latest Halloween prototypes designed for Primitives by Kathy. So, here ya go! Let's hope they are well-received, accepted and placed into production. If all goes well, these pieces along with several others will be available this fall! For now, you'll have to guess what they are :)

~ Johanna









© 2009 Johanna Parker Design * Halloween designs are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Shake...Shake.....Shake!...

Peek-a-Boo and shake shake shake!... Here are a couple of fun illustrated Halloween shaker prototypes that I just designed for Primitives by Kathy. My fingers are crossed that she likes them and makes LOTS for me to share with you :) Stay tuned for more teaser pics from this fresh new product line. If all goes well, these designs will be out this fall!

~ Johanna




* Peek-a-Boo from two happy Halloween characters that I illustrated!...






© 2009 Johanna Parker Design * Illustrated shakers are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.
SaveSave

CATCH him if you can!...

And as promised, my other Valentine-inspired Collector's Catch piece just popped up on my website! GO TO my Website to see details and be sure to click on the image for more views and descriptions. Please send me an email if you'd like to adopt "Bart O'Heart," and later I will update the page to reveal who caught him....


Thanks again for looking!
~ Johanna
CONTACT: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com

UPDATE!.. Another great collector friend of mine, Robert in NC, caught this piece in just 15 minutes after posting it!... Thank You!... Guess he was at the right place at the right time! Remember to click "Follow this Blog," at left and your Blogger Dashboard will update each time I create a new post. It's a great way to keep up with any new surprise Collector's Catch pieces, and a way to show your support and interest in my folk art as well :)



© 2009 Johanna Parker Design * Folk art images are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.