The Art of the Matter & GiveAway!...

FaaaLaaLa.........



I know it is still October, and we are ALL feeling that Halloween spirit in the air. But, I have been anxious to share with you some very exciting news! Turn to page 18 in the current November / December issue of Country Sampler Magazine. It has been out on the stands for almost a month now, and I urge you to pick up a copy for yourself as soon as you can because my mother's holiday folk art and colonial-style decorating are featured in a 10 page article! It is just fabulous! We are both so pleased as the editors included so many fun images of our Christmas folk art along with all sorts of wonderful decorating ideas from mom. To continue the excitement, both myself and my mom are contributing signed, holiday folk art in a special GiveAway Contest offered by Country Sampler! Keep scrolling to see the Kathy Parker original folk art snowman that will be awarded to a lucky winner! As for my contribution, I am offering a signed Santa candy container from my Bethany Lowe Designs line, and a signed belsnickel from my Primitives by Kathy line - both appearing in the magazine! Below, you will only find a tease of what is featured in this inspirational article. ENJOY, and please find yourself a copy, a cozy chair, some hot chocolate and a little time to just pour over all the delights! Many thanks to the very kind staff at Country Sampler for sharing this article with so many. And, another big thanks goes out to my friends “photographer/stylist/writer” duo Donna Pizzi and Philip Clayton-Thompson of Blackstone Edge Studios who did my mom's photo shoot! It looks wonderful and so very inviting..... ~ Johanna


* A primitive wooden washtub holds a live tree, decorated with all sorts of handmade ornaments...


* One of my original Santa candy containers marks this page showing my parents' living room filled with holiday folk art collectibles...


* An earlier Snowman original of mine adds a festive touch to this page featuring my mom's colonial mantel and hearth, beaming with holiday spirit...


* A trio of my papier mache belsnickels offered by Primitives by Kathy proudly stand at center between two inviting pineapples... To order my belsnickels, CLICK here!


* A fun grouping of snowmen that both my mom and I have created over the years... Some go way back!


* Page 25 features our trio of GiveAway items! Sign up today by visiting the image and links below ~ Good Luck! :)


* All entries must be received by November 30th, so hop on
over to Country Sampler's contest page and sign up to WIN!

Hope you enjoyed the tease! As this is a 10 page article, there are lots more photos for you to enjoy, so look for your copy today :)

PHOTOGRAPHS, © 2009 Emmis Publishing LP

Meet Howling Harvey....

It's October 13th, and I am left with just one more very special one of a kind Halloween creation in search of a home. I thought about keeping him for myself, after all the various times we posed together for the camera!- heheh... But alas, I did promise (in print) that he would be auctioned off this Fall, and well, I believe Fall is here! For those of you who have not seen, "Howling Harvey" my original Halloween folk art cat and I are featured in the Fall issue of Celebrate365 Magazine. The article "Behind the Design" with Johanna Parker explains my step-by-step process in creating this one of kind collectible from start to finish. Now, Harvey is up for auction along with a signed copy of this fun Halloween collector's magazine. CLICK HERE to visit Harvey's auction page, and thank you for your generous bids! Best of luck......

~ Johanna



* A close-up of the finished Howling Harvey...


* Looking back at my steps along the way, here I paint the details and texture of his face....


* Winner takes ALL!...

Halloween Goodies up for Grabs!...

Wow, what a day!...I hosted this year's Halloween web sale this morning and had a wonderful response! THANKS to all my collector friends who saved the date and time to join me and adopt a special original piece! I only wish I could have offered more one of a kind delights so everyone willing would have had something special to take home!
Luckily, I do have a few Signed Reproduction Collector's Sets still available, so those who may have left empty-handed can enjoy some Halloween collectibles of mine for this haunting season.... Click on the three images below for more details, and please let me know if you'd like to adopt any of these fun pieces that I have designed.

~ Johanna


* These two characters are a unique find! Both debuted in my Bethany Lowe Halloween product line this year!....


* Perfect for your Halloween candy stash, this Candycorn Jack-o'-lantern bowl is both functional and fun! He was featured in the September issue of Country Sampler and comes to us from Primitives by Kathy...


* And for the Jack-o'-lantern lover, this set is a must have! "Diamond Hat Jack" on the left also made an appearance in the September issue of Country Sampler and comes to us from Primitives by Kathy along with his ornament friend at center. The fun candy bucket fellow is one of my Bethany Lowe Halloween designs and was featured in Celebrate Halloween Magazine this year!...

Behind the Design with ME!...

Earlier this year, Connie Porcher, founding Editor in Chief of Celebrate365 Magazine expressed an interest in my blog post, It Starts with Black & White. How fun she thought it would be to offer a peek at my design process in her fall issue. I fully agreed, and then dreamt up a fun folk art cat project for her to feature. Fortunately, my article made the cut! The lovely spread, titled "Behind the Design with Johanna Parker" was pieced together by the very talented EHAG artist David Everett, who juggles his talents between sculpting amusing characters and designing graphics for print and web. Another treat by yet another talented EHAG artist is the bold cover design by Lori Rudolph, who too balances her talents between the world of sculpture and graphics. In all, it's an eye-catching, colorful issue filled with Halloween delights including a fun Collector feature on Robert Brawley, self-acclaimed as the Halloween Fanatic who has a rather large collection of my one of kind originals! So, there's much to see, and I highly recommend ordering your copy today!!! Just visit Celebrate365's Website and subscribe for full holiday inspiration...


* My article begins with: "Art Institute of Colorado trained graphic artist, Emmy winner, art director for an NBC news affiliate - Johanna Parker has an impressive resume. Since she left the corporate world behind and launched Johanna Parker Design in 2003, this self-assured artist has never looked back......"
To read more, order your copy today!


* "Howling Harvey" my Halloween folk art cat is featured from start to finish. I hope to offer him along with a signed copy of this issue on eBay very soon, so please join my mailing list for details!

A Peek at the Halloween & Vine!...

Gathering from the emails I have received, I know that many of you are anxious to see photos from the fabulous Halloween & Vine! Well, get ready :) I must admit, I have spent several hours just preparing these images, so I hope you enjoy them. This annual show is so unique, that it's my pleasure to share with you a glimpse into this year's festivities. As always, it flies by so fast that I never see everything I want to see nor do I have a chance to photograph everything that I want to capture. Or in some cases, the photos turn out like a big silly blur, so I'm featuring the best images I have to offer. Let's hope other artists do the same. Of course, I recommend attending the show if you really want to experience the sights and sounds for yourself! See you there next year, I hope!..... ENJOY!

~ Johanna ( PS: You can click on the majority of the photos to enlarge them! )

* One of two of my original standing owls that quickly flew out the door...


* That's me in my silly striped leggings standing in front of my table right before the doors opened!...


* A fun photo of JP and myself taken from the inside of our booth looking out! Thank You to the kind mystery man who took this happy pic!...

* There's my sweetie JP posing before the show started...


* A couple of my latest original vase designs. I call them "base chamber vases" as they have a secret compartment on the underside along with another place to stash goodies up top!... I hope their new owners enjoyed my little notes inside :)


* A festive pic of the grand hall with William Bezek's fine table of delights in the foreground!...


* Love this expressive gourd-like character created by Scott Smith of Rucus
Studio!...

* A wide view of Scott Smith's harvest-themed spread...


* Wonderfully fun Halloween characters by Laurie Harden! What a treat it was to finally meet her and see her highly detailed creations in person...


* A colorful snap of Allen Cunningham's whimsical goods, gone in a flash!...


* Another angle within the Hermann Son's Hall with Suzie Scott Studio's delightful table in the foreground...


* A peek at Ginny Betourne's comical Halloween creations that always make me chuckle!...


* A burst of color on Jorge de Rojas' fabulous table... My eyes were drawn to this spinning display holder filled with yummy looking shakers...


* A peek at Christy Silacci's fun-filled characters perching high and low...


* An adorable black cat by Lori Ann Corelis proudly stands atop an old top hat...


* A fun collection of Halloween delights created by master metal-worker, Nancy Aldabe of Nancy's Metal Art...


* One of Nicol Sayre's dear vintage inspired dolls holding the most wonderful parasol...


* A grouping of Nicol's wonderful art dolls takes you back in time....


* Bright whimsical faces on Sharon Bloom's table just make you smile!...


* Spooky fun characters cluster together on Katherine Webber's table...


* Another angle of the Hall with Vergie Lightfoot's fantastical display in the foreground!...

* A close up on one of Vergie's amazing black cats!...


* A quirky fun pair of jack-o'-lantern folks by whimsical artist Kerry Howard-Schimdt...


* And me once again, taking a deep breath, happy to be ready! (after months and months and months of work!)...
SaveSave

Congrats to Enchanted Makeovers!...

After 2+ weeks of accumulating votes in Martha Stewart's Favorite Doer of the Week, it looks like we have a winner! Terry Grahl and her internationally recognized non-profit appropriately named "Enchanted Makeovers" takes the prize! Her organization transforms shelters for women and children into places of peace and possibilities - not just where basic needs are met, but spiritual needs for hope and beauty also. The award monies from this contest are well-deserved, and I had a hunch would likely go to fund her goodwill. I am certain she is making many people smile through her work. Congrats to you Terry! Keep on "do-ing" !!!...... :)

To all my friends and supporters dedicated in spreading the word about my nomination, I THANK YOU for your efforts... I came in at a close 2nd place, and am still very honored to have your support and the acknowledgment from both Martha Stewart and her team! It's been a thrill, and perhaps someday Martha will have me make or "do" something on her show! ... Just a dream, but then, that's what dreamers do! :) Again, I appreciate your generous votes and loving support!

~ Johanna


* Teaser pics from some of Terry's magical makeovers... Click on the image to visit her website...

Will You Help Me?.... :)

The contest ends at 5pm EST on Friday, October 2nd, so we still have time! You can simply vote directly here from my blog by clicking my name and voting from the right column, or hop on over to Martha Stewart's website & cast your VOTE! (See her POLL in the right column) I really appreciate your help in spreading the word!

THANK YOU! ~ Johanna ~
{ Keep scrolling down for delicious pics from our Halloween Trunk Show! }

A Peek at Denver's Halloween Trunk Show!...

Having 2 Halloween shows back to back has been a challenge the past 2 years, but I'm in for it now!... This Saturday welcomes in the acclaimed Halloween & Vine show, and last Saturday we exhibited at the more intimate Halloween Trunk show in Denver! What a fun day we had, visiting with so many enthusiastic Halloween fans ~ Thanks to all who attended and brought us good cheer! For those who were unable to make it, here is a peek at the festivities!.... ENJOY!

~ Johanna


* That's me, holding my jack-o'-lantern candy bowl...


* A glimpse of my booth with a festive table setting in the foreground featuring my new Halloween dessert plates...


* All of my Halloween delights offered, ranging from my reproduced products at left, to my cupboard of Halloween originals at right...


* A close up of my Halloween candy containers and vases, offered by Bethany Lowe Designs...


* There's JP giving us a wave and preparing for the start of the show!...


* I love this old green vintage truck! It was filled with homegrown pumpkins from a nearby elementary school. Aren't they lovely?!...


* Harvest time apples and pears in autumn hues line an old wooden tray table...


* Halloween novelties and books line Sam Robinson's table display...


* Whimsical Halloween goods offered by Sam Robinson...


* Local papier mache folk artist, Cindy Habermann displays her table of creations...


* A close up on some of Cindy's Halloween delights...


* Adorable headbands adorned with festive rosettes offered by Pome of Denver...


* Handwoven & knitted goods in rich autumn colors, offered by Pome of Denver...


* Funky fun Halloween party wands and other decorations offered by Pome of Denver...


* Kirsten of Pearl, offering her whimsical knitted wearables and uniquely fun fashions....


* One more peek at my table display....

Please, VOTE for me!...

The VOTE for Martha Stewart's Favorite Doer of the Week has begun! I am one of her 10 finalists, and would so appreciate your vote :) It's simple!
You can vote directly from my Blog - Top Right column > >
~ or ~
Just click on this link:
http://dreamers.marthastewart.com/profiles/blogs/vote-for-your-favorite-doer-of

Then, look for the "POLL" along the right side column, choose my name and press "VOTE".....

It's that easy! Spread the word, tell your friends and family to cast their votes as well! This will be FUN and we'll see who the winner is on October 2nd.... THANK YOU!!!


~ Johanna

WOW, I'm Martha Stewart's Doer of the Week!

Today, I am honored and thrilled to learn that Martha Stewart and her talented staff at marthastewart.com have selected me as their Doer of the Week! To be recognized by someone who has fully inspired and motivated me to realize my dreams is most amazing to say the least! Martha's passion for Halloween in particular gave me hope to pursue my niche in all things October 31st, and I am so happy for the support and interest from so many fans who admire my holiday designs today! And, how very exciting it is to receive the seal of approval from Martha Stewart ~ oh my, I am pinching myself! :) Thanks also to my fellow artist friends, Kristen Beason and Kitty Forseth for urging me to be an entrant in Martha's Dreamers into Doers Contest. Along the way, I joined their online community of Dreamers into Doers, met many clever entrepreneurs and the rest is history! I am one of 10 finalists for this special newsletter series contest, and there will be a public vote later this month, so stay tuned! Below is an excerpt from Martha's e-newsletter that went out today! ENJOY!

~ Johanna ( I'm thinking that 9-9-09 IS a LUCKY Day!! )

Winnings at the Halloween & Vine!...

I thought it would be fun to offer a special Giveaway for those who hope to attend this year's Halloween & Vine in Petaluma, California! 2009 marks the 14th annual show celebrating one of a kind Halloween art by nationally recognized artists, and I will be exhibiting once again! So, in a week, I will be drawing 3 winning names for two free entry tickets and one $10 OFF any Johanna Parker Design original offered at this fabulous show! Join in on the FUN and perhaps you will be one of the lucky winners.... See easy instructions for entering below:

WINNERS UPDATE!
Thanks to all who entered to win Halloween & Vine tickets this year! We numbered your entries and emails, and then JP drew the winning numbers today.. Here goes:

WINNER of the $10 off my art coupon goes to: Jana Lewis

WINNERS of the 2 free entry passes go to: Kathleen Remitz & Celeste Parsons

Congrats :)





1.) To enter, simply leave me a comment at the bottom of this post! For those of you who do not have a Blogger ID, you can leave an Anonymous comment, but remember to identify yourself in some way so I can find you if you win! And, if you'd prefer to email me instead, I will add your comment for you.

2.) Join my mailing list for a 2nd entry! Those of you already on my mailing list can email me for a 2nd chance at winning: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com

3.) If you have a blog of your own, you can blog about my Giveaway for yet another entry to win! Please include a link both to my blog and a link to the Halloween & Vine! Feel free to use these images to attract interested readers! Afterwards, come back and leave me a comment about your post...


And, here is the beautiful full page ad that Scott Smith of Rucus Studio designed for this year's event! You will see it in the September issue of Somerset Holiday and Celebrations Magazine along with Celebrate365 Magazine. And yes, that's my one of a kind Halloween owl, top left....



THANK YOU for playing along and best of luck to you! We look forward to seeing you at the Halloween & Vine September 26th!
~ Johanna

Celebrate Halloween Magazine!

I am excited to announce that there is a new magazine that celebrates the warmth and whimsy of Halloween! It's called Celebrate Halloween by Phyllis Hoffman of Hoffman Media, and they graciously feature my Halloween products throughout! It is a beautiful issue filled with rich photography and absolutely zero ads, so you can enjoy perusing the articles and photos from cover to cover without interruption. I just received my copy from the editor and have been pouring over it ever since! Please take a peek at my features below, and I urge you to find yourself a copy for your Halloween library! :) ( And thank you Phyllis Hoffman for the opportunity to share my Halloween delights with your readers! )
~ Johanna




* How exciting! A full page featuring various products from my new Halloween line! To order your own, visit my Source Page for various vendors offering my designs...


* I spot a couple of my party hats, topping off the festivities for this Trick or Treat Party feature...


* Another thrill to see my owl treat bowl and striped vase styled for the season! Visit my Source Page to adopt these for yourself!...

* Halloween folk art designs © Johanna Parker Design
* Images © Hoffman Media

Whimsy in the Garden...

Through observation, little gifts of joy appear, and I have realized that inspiration and whimsy can present themselves in many forms. You just have to open your eyes to see them. The other day, JP rushed in looking for the camera, and I quickly left my work behind to catch a glimpse of his discovery. And there, clinging to the exterior of our home was the sweetest little bug! Painted in a fuzzy red coat, he was covered in an array of whimsical black dots. As I grabbed the camera from JP, he plucked a stick out of the yard and coaxed the little fella to climb aboard. Gingerly we carried him around, and I snapped a cluster of photos, trying to capture the character and detail of this whimsical insect. (Hopefully the neighbors are used to our odd behavior by now!) I was so truly charmed by his illustrative appearance and his fanciful feelers that it was difficult to let him go, but we lowered him into the garden and off he went on his vast outdoor journey. So, now you must be curious what this 6-legged character looked like... Take a peek below to see for yourself, and let me know if you have seen one too!
~ Johanna

UPDATE: My friend Beverly searched and discovered that this is a Red Milkweed Beetle!


* With all 6 legs, this little fella grasps a garden stick, striking the perfect pose...


* He hovers over a sea of green leaves creating a lush contrast of color....


* And off he goes up and over a rock and onto a salvia leaf... Bye bye sweet little beetle bug... You are a miniature marvel to me...

Halloween Smiles in a Box!....

I know fall is approaching when the big boxes start to arrive! This year, it was a thrill to unpack my new line of Halloween reproductions, offered by Bethany Lowe Designs. By the end of the evening, packing paper was scattered all about like over-sized confetti, and JP took a few photos of me playing in it! I cleared my storage shelves in anticipation and started lining them with this year's collection. I too snapped a few photos to share in hopes to spark your interest and passion for Halloween! Now that these fun Halloween characters are here, I will be signing them and preparing them for their debut at this year's Halloween Trunk Show in Denver. Whatever is left will be looking for a home, so please join my e-mailing list for that update in hopes to snatch a signed Halloween collectible or two!

~ Johanna


* That's me, knee-deep in a tall shipping box! My bat and owl vase characters peer out for a Halloween hello!...


* My Halloween reproductions line shelves in anticipation for an upcoming Halloween Trunk Show...


* My owl candy bowl is one of my favorites! How festive they all look together!...


* Spook Cat candy containers look like they are all whistling a Halloween tune!...


* My trio of treat buckets grin and look forward to being filled with the season's sweets...


* Me again, laughing at the silliness of standing in a packing box...

And for those of you anxious to acquire one of these Halloween designs now, you can visit my Source Page of online vendors who offer my collectible products.

As always, THANK YOU for your interest in sharing my festive designs with your family and friends! I appreciate it and truly hope to spread my whimsical cheer, year after year!

CATCH this Halloween Cat if you can!...

Surprise! I just finished a new Collector's Catch piece! He's now posted on my website! "Moon-Star Max," an enchanting black & cream-colored cat is ready for adoption! GO TO my Website to see details. Once there, be sure to click on the image for more views and descriptions. Please send me an email if you'd like to adopt this spooky-fun cat, and later I will update the page to reveal who caught this collectible piece!....

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

UPDATE!.. Patricia, a great collector friend of mine, caught this guy in the first 5 minutes! WooHoo, it's your lucky day :) THANK YOU!

Work in Progress...

Well, given that it's mid August, I decided it was time to switch gears from my sculpting frenzy in order to focus on my painting... What's the point of having a collection of unpainted, naked sculptures when their coloration and pattern really bring them to life! So, this past week, I began to add paint to my various one of kind characters! I have much to do yet, and I realize that I tend to be more meticulous and particular with my painting as each year goes by. I know I should be whipping these guys out by now, but on the contrary ( and much to my frustration ) it seems to take me longer. Oh well. For those of you curious, I snapped a quick pic of my workroom counter....


* A mix of Halloween folk art characters either await paint or a coat of clear finish...

You may also have noticed a couple of new badges on the upper sidebars of my blog. At right, I created a graphic and link to Denver's 4th Annual Halloween Trunk Show. Some of these originals will be offered at this fun event! Click on the badge to visit a collage of images from last year's show along with the date and time details. I hope many of my local collector friends will join us!

Also, at left there is a text link below a graphic referring to my Artist Interview. If you click on the text link, you will be routed to Sally Evan's website. She features creative entrepreneurs, and it is my honor to be her current guest feature! You can purchase either a down-loadable audio file or disc of our hour-plus long conversation. I think you may find it interesting, hopefully inspiring, useful and an insight into my life and career path..... THANKS to all for your interest....

Back to work!
~ Johanna

One more Halloween Owl!...

I've been busy painting and building my inventory of Halloween originals for my upcoming shows ( next month ~ ack! ) However, I thought I would take one from my stash and offer him here on eBay this week. Yes, it is an Owl Kettle Cup this time! Of course, he is one of a kind, and he will be looking for a home, starting tonight. You can click on his photo to visit his auction page. As always, my gratitude goes out to ALL who show interest by placing a bid in his favor! THANK YOU! :-)

~ Johanna



* Hoot Hoot, take me home!.....

* © 2009 Johanna Parker Design * Halloween folk art owl design and image is the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Want to know HOW?...

I just returned from a quick visit to see my family in Washington. The night before our return home, my mom and I dashed into Barnes & Noble 5 minutes before closing to snag a copy of this year's Holiday Crafts Magazine by Better Homes and Gardens! I read rumors that it was out, and I knew a couple of my How-To projects would be featured. So, I was anxious to see it! Fortunately, this will be the third year that they have published my art within this fun annual issue, and I am very grateful for that. I recommend going out and getting yourself a copy as it's full of wonderful projects, ideas and the instructions to make each creation unfold for you! For now, here is a peek... ENJOY!

~ Johanna


* A fun, full page image of my black cat candle holders for Halloween!...


* Visual aids to help you along as you construct your very own candle holder...


* Too good to eat! A snowman lollipop ornament hangs from a tree...


* For best results, find yourself a copy of this festive magazine and get started!

Designed by Johanna Parker... © 2009 Meredith Corporation

My Halloween in Country Sampler!...

Yes, it's true that Halloween is already making an appearance on the news stands, and fortunately, a sampling of my Halloween reproductions from Primitives by Kathy are featured! Keep an eye out for the current September issue of Country Sampler Magazine. On page 34, they feature the cozy fall-decorated home of decorator and shop keeper Christina Zimmerman of Buttermilk Junction. The photographer & photo stylist duo, Philip Clayton-Thompson and Donna Pizzi are friends of mine, and they composed the lovely pictures, graciously including some of my latest Halloween reproduction designs. And, it was an extra treat to see my name mentioned on the sidebar of the article, so thank you Country Sampler for that! You'll have to find yourself a copy of this fall issue. For now, here is a tease below, and to see additional photos from this article, visit Country Sampler's Inspiration Gallery where you will spot more photos of my Halloween folk art!.... ENJOY!

~ Johanna

* The first page of this Halloween home tour... Can you spot my jack-o'-lanterns?


* My latest Candy Corn Jack candy bowl, now offered by Primitives by Kathy, proudly sits on Christina's coffee table holding a batch of oranges....


* Well, there's Diamond Hat Jack, now also offered by Primitives by Kathy, and happy to be featured!...



*And the sidebar, mentioning me!

Thank you Christina for including my Halloween collectibles in your fall collection! It is a treat to see them in your home :)

PHOTOGRAPHS, © 2009 Emmis Publishing LP

OH Bats!!!

Just finished this stylin' Halloween Bat Candy Cup, and he's now up for grabs on eBay! He's uniquely fun with his hand-formed, designer wire wings... Take a peek for yourself by clicking on his image! Many thanks to all for your generosity in bids....

~ Johanna


* © 2009 Johanna Parker Design * Halloween folk art bat image is the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.