Mom is Back!...

Well, I have some fun news to share! My mom, that's Kathy Parker to you, is a new product designer for Primitives by Kathy! The first seven of her items just came out in PBK's 2010 Supplement. I have a sneak peek below of her charming designs along with their corresponding item numbers in case you want to order a few for yourself!



* Of course, I love this Spooky Pillow for Halloween!...

Mom is certainly the force behind my passion for folk art today. When I was little, I remember her weaving all sorts of unusual items from contemporary wall art to Santas. Her style evolved when the country movement hit the 1980s. She was always on the hunt for cutter quilts and accessories to add to her country dolls, and she taught me what to look for too. Soon, I was wanting to try my hand at crafting, and I found myself sewing samplers and patched art pillows. Together we sold our handmade items at local craft fairs, and really enjoyed sharing our creations with others who appreciated our work. Along the way, I branched off and grew fond of the papier mache and paints while mom continued to sew her one of a kind delights. So, we each have our own niche, but we certainly enjoy the art of crafting together.

When my family was relocated to Seattle about 8 years ago, mom's life drastically changed. Not knowing anyone in her surroundings, she poured her creative energy into making her new house a home, repainting room after room and decorating with her colonial touch. But soon she took on the honorable role as my grandfather's caregiver for the last few years of his life. He became her priority, and all else including her art were left in the past. After his passing, the house felt empty and mom was not in a place to create. Luckily with time there is healing, and I urged mom to delve back into her fabric arts and to tap back into that creative bliss that she now enjoys today. Obviously, she did, and I am so happy that her love for crafting has returned! She inspired me years ago, and I like to think that I have returned the favor by inspiring her :)

A big CONGRATS goes out to you Mom as you embark on this exciting creative path, and I know your sweet designs will bring many smiles to many people for years to come!

* These are too cute for the holidays! To see Kathy Parker's current line of products, CLICK HERE!



What's next on her list you ask...? Well, I suggest she starts her own blog! Mom, it's about time :) Cheers to you!

With love,

~ Johanna

PS.... Did you see mom's holiday home feature in Country Sampler Magazine last year? If not, take a peek HERE!

* © 2010 Kathy Parker *Designs and concepts are the property of Kathy Parker and may not be used without permission

Happy Lazy 4th of July!...

Ever since the weather has warmed, Jack's new summer-time napping spot is on the old wicker settee in our back sun room. He is always sprawled out with all fours up in the air and his big soft belly exposed. It cracks me up (even though the scene is completely covered in black fur!) So, today when I walked through "his" room, he was sporting an American flag under his front paws! Imagine that??! So, out came the camera, and here is the proof..... :)



HAPPY LAZY 4th to all of my friends out there in blogland! I hope you have a moment to put your feet up and lounge around like Mr. Jack likes to do.

Cheers,
~ Johanna

Bloomin' Black Cats!...

Once again, the last day of the month is upon us and that means the EHAG Emporium has opened its doors once again to unveil a variety of Halloween original delights. With my rediscovery of the garden (see previous post below) I was inspired to add a little floral touch to these 2 black cat candy containers. A hint of vintage green blends beautifully with those orange and black jack-o'-lantern daisies! Each container, both big and small exhibits these whimsical blooms. Let's take a closer peek...



First off is "Bloomin' Betty" ~ the larger candy container on the left!
She's also featured on the EHAG Emporium this month.

"Bloomin Betty" ~ 11" tall ~ $595.00 plus shipping
~ SOLD ~
One of a kind papier mache candy container with an original illustrated conical party hat featuring more jack-o'-lantern fun! She wears a sculpted bow at her neck, and her containing cup has a whimsically fun dimensional ruffle that trims its brim!



Fill with treats if you wish!....



and . . . . . . .



Here's Betty's 'lil friend at 4.5" tall...

Bloomin' Black Cat Candy Egg Cup ~ $365 plus shipping
~SOLD~
Hand-painted and sculpted papier mache black cat lid fits snugly with a painted wooden egg cup. She wears a dimensional party hat and an orange zig-zag fabric collar trimmed in black glass glitter.





If either of these Garden-style Halloween sweeties interest you, please email me: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com
And don't forget to include the name of the piece you are hoping to reserve!

Thank you!
~ Johanna

* © 2010 Johanna Parker Design *Photos, designs and concepts are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission

Rediscovering the Garden...

Is it like this for you?... The days fly by, and all of the sudden, it's almost July? For me, it certainly is. My mind has been dizzy with all of the to-do's, decisions on remodeling projects, scheduling this and that, family and friends, my art, and so on. Of course, I want to squeeze it all in and still be able to enjoy a little tranquility here and there. But, I must admit, I am not good at juggling, and some of the things I most cherish have been out of my view. Yesterday, however, I enjoyed a moment of enchantment in between sculpting my art. A black and white flutter caught my eye, and invited me toward the garden. He zipped and darted up and down and then landed right before me with a stillness I rarely know. Luckily, I snapped his photo numerous times and feel fortunate to share it here with you. What an amazing dragonfly, don't you think?....



The delicacy of his wings, the patterns and the beauty this little creature exhibited certainly had my attention, and I was grateful to experience that moment. Looking up from my camera, a blaze of perennial color in full bloom caught me by surprise and lured me in. Oh, I have been too busy lately, and obviously, my flower garden has been growing without me ~ so much so that I could barely find the foot path!



Plants were crowding for space, and everywhere I looked was an overflowing surge of color. How could I have missed this until just now? It's only right out my backdoor, but that tunnel vision has been holding me captive I believe....



Fuzzy Lamb's Ear, rusty-colored clovers, wooly thyme under foot, striped ornamental grasses and tiny yellow flowers atop a lush sea of green baby leaves were certainly inviting, and my rediscovery of the garden was in full force.



Another critter crossed my path, and I couldn't help but pick him up for a closer inspection to marvel at his beauty....



The skies were growing dark as rain clouds marched in, but the colors in the garden only intensified.....



And soon rain drops began to fall, and it was time for me to take cover back to the workshop. But fortunately, my dragonfly friend reminded me to take joy in the wonders of the garden. I think I will be back......

~ Johanna

House in Progress...

Well, many of you are aware that I have been a bit distracted this year by a long list of home repairs and remodeling projects. Our house was built in 1939, and after its 70th birthday, we realized that we needed to take action to preserve this little gem. With many plans in the works, the first priority was a new roof. JP along with a few helpers decided to take on the majority of this task, stripping it down to the bones and re-decking with a fresh layer of plywood to bring it up to code. I spent days it seems in search for a unique roof that would not break the bank. Luckily, I found the diamond Cascade pattern design by Pabco that reminded me of the old cottage roofs I had seen on our travels to Europe. To make the task less daunting, JP rented an articulated boom which offered a way to save time, labor, back pain and the list goes on. Take a peek at some of the photos I took a few weeks back....


* Here's our house in the works with JP on the boom on clean-up debris duty. The front and side fascia trim boards had to be taken off and replaced due to water and vine damage. And the chimney is missing its top right now as we noticed upon closer inspection that it was about to cave in! Talk about a domino effect....... Will we ever be done?


* That's me, hovering over our roof! The Genie Boom we rented from RSC Equipment Rental allowed us to travel 45 feet up into the air. Talk about a bird's eye view!


* Here, you can see the various layers of our roof over the years, from old asphalt T-lock, to shake to strip sheathing.


* Here's my handyman, JP ~ jack of all trades!


* The guys below are taking measurements for the new layer of plywood decking. Off in the distance, you can see the new roof on our garage and part of our back roof...
Oh, and that's my cute little garden shed that JP built from scratch, off in the distance!


* Front image of the roof in progress with the front porch roof overhang ripped off. Try to imagine the front door bumped out 4 feet and framed with windows. That's on the to-do list, and I want an arched front door too... (just to make things more complicated according to JP!)


* Here, from the backside, JP maneuvers toward the roof in the boom basket rigged with 4 trash cans. This clever idea helped with the debris clean-up. I know we've been the side-show for the neighbors! Hahah!

Well, that's it for this post. The roof is done, but there's much more to go! We will be building out a front porch vestibule later this summer, and residing the house is next on the to-do list along with a new sewer line and major foundation work. Check back later for more photos in progress. After that's all done, maybe we can chip away at the landscaping! That's the fun part........

~ Johanna

Cheers to Dad!

Father's Day is here, and fortunately, I just had the opportunity to spend a few days with my dad as he and my family popped in for a quick visit last week. I must admit, the trip wasn't without its fair share of those edge-of-your-seat adventures. We all had a hair-raising episode on the top of Trail Ridge Road here in Colorado as a thick fog accompanied by heavy rain rolled in. Needless to say, the breathtaking views we craved were absent as my dad slowly maneuvered his way down the winding road, masked in white. And as it's the highest continuous highway in the States, a miscalculation as to where the road twists and turns could result in the end as we know it. Our hearts were beating at an elevated pace to say the least, but luckily my dad was calm as he guided us out of the scare and into the clear. Thank you Daddy for keeping us safe! That's what dads are for :) It was wonderful to see him again, and now we have quite the story to tell!

Love to You & Happy Father's Day!
~ Johanna


* And no, this photo was not taken in Colorado last week.... We had little to no great photo ops with the turbulent skies as they were. This image was actually taken last summer at Mount Rainier in Washington, where we luckily enjoyed a very clear and sunny day together!

Rhyme Time Original BAT!....

Thanks to several of my enthusiastic collectors, I had a wonderful response to my first "Rhyme Time Original" last month! The owl and accompanying poem were a big hit, so I decided to create a bat for this month. Meet "Bizarro the Bat" and visit his eBay Auction page to read just why he IS so bizarre :) Just like before, I wrote a matching poem to go with this sweet collector's piece, so take a moment to see the various views and learn more about our friend Bizarro here.


* Now, just how did Bizarro get his name?
The answer is in the Rhyme........


* After I finished this whimsy-winged fella, JP and I almost decided to keep him for ourselves. But, I promised my collector friends that I would make a few more Rhyme Time Originals over the summer, so he is looking for a new bat cave :) Now, promise to take good care of him.......


* Of course, he is sitting on a "31" ~ his favorite day of October. He will arrive with the tag pictured above which features my signed poetry... Thank you for your generous bids, and best of luck!

~ Johanna

* © 2010 Johanna Parker Design *Photos, designs and concepts are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission

Halloween in May!

Well, it's the last day of the month, and luckily I was able to complete two, one of a kind Halloween delights, available tonight! Inspired by the May Opening of our EHAG Emporium which promises to offer an array of handmade Halloween collectibles, I created a sweet Witch-on-a-Ball character and a grinning Black Cat! For those of you who have been asking for my happy-spirited witches, here is your chance.... "Bella Boo" is featured on our EHAG Emporium and you can see additional views of her below! "Grinning Gus" is yet another cheerful, one of a kind black cat from my imagination, so scroll down to see more!... Please email me at: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com if you are interested in adopting one of these characters! Please include the name of the piece, and THANK YOU for stopping by! Hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day.....

~ Johanna :)



" Bella Boo " ~ SOLD
6.75" tall x 3" wide
A hand-sculpted & painted original papier mache witch, dressed and ready for the the pumpkin-carving season! Details of interest include her hand-formed conical hat, sculptural hair and illustrative imagery. Soft vintage green hues add a glow to her skin and repeat in the vine, stem and hat details.... Signed & dated, 1/1.
$325 plus shipping





....... and . . . . . . .



" Grinning Gus " ~ SOLD
6" tall x 3,25" wide
A hand-sculpted & painted original papier mache cat, dressed and ready for Halloween night! Details of interest include his hand-formed conical hat, dimensional face and illustrative imagery. Stylized cobweb lines surround his base and hat with a happy spider dangling at front.... He wears a hand-sewn vintage crepe paper collar, and black glass glitter trims his party hat. Signed & dated, 1/1.
$305 plus shipping





* © 2010 Johanna Parker Design *Photos and designs are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission

WIN my Art in Country Sampler Magazine!

When Saturday's mail arrived, I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of the July 2010 issue of Country Sampler Magazine! I had a good feeling that a few of my summer-themed folk art designs could possibly be gracing its pages... So, I flipped to the Country Treasures section, and spotted my work! My illustrated watering can & bird garden trays, offered by Primitives by Kathy, practically jump off the page, and are pictured as one of Country Sampler's reader Giveaway sets! I must admit, I am thrilled that CS wanted to share my art with their readers, and so I urge you all to enter! It's simple, so click HERE for a chance to WIN! Also, rumor has it that the editors fell in love with the photo of my new patriotic standing bird, offered by Bethany Lowe Designs. So, they included him as a featured product, proclaiming him "America's Tweet-Heart"..... I am very honored and blessed for the recognition and the opportunity to share my work with so many others! Look for your copy at the store, and tell your friends about this fun giveaway...


* Here's a sneak peek!....


* I painted these sweet garden style trays, inspired by the cheerful colors in my home and my love for nature. I welcome you to ENTER to WIN this set for your home...
Best of luck!

And, if you would like to purchase these summer-themed goods and more, please visit my List of Online Vendors who offer my products.



* What a joy to see this little tweeter included in the magazine!
Soon, I will be offering a handful of these SIGNED USA birds along with a few pairs of my new Uncle Sam & Lady Liberty candy containers, signed as well! So, please join my e-mailing list to be included on that update as it will be a private e-mailing list sale.
EMAIL to JOIN at: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com

Have a happy week!
~ Johanna

Magazine PHOTOGRAPHY, © 2010 Emmis Publishing LP
Photo of bird, Courtesy of Bethany Lowe Designs
© 2010 Johanna Parker Design *Designs are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission

Introducing "Rhyme Time Originals"...

A clever thought occurred to me today as I was creating my auction page for "Owlexander Web" here. Perhaps I could write a matching poem to accompany this unique character. Hmm, I love rhyming words to create whimsical descriptions, so to include a short poem would be quite a treat! So, this spur of the moment idea is how "Rhyme Time Originals" began. This sweet little owl will be the first in a limited series of eBay exclusive sculptures to be offered as a Rhyme Time Original. And, as time permits, I will be creating a small sampling of original pieces with a rhythmic story to be told. I know, perhaps it's silly, but so is my folk art! As it goes,"Owlexander Web" has just listed on eBay tonight, so CLICK HERE to visit his auction page. Best of luck and thank you so much for your support and interest! (A peek at his poem is included below)

ENOY!
~ Johanna


* Original Art & Poetry by Johanna Parker...


" With mesmerizing eyes, glowing in the night,
Owlexander Web the owl is soon to take his flight.
Dressed in festive finery, he's ready to be seen,
By all the trick or treaters on the night of Halloween.
He spreads his wiry wings, and sits atop a ball,
And waits for all his owl friends to hoot their eerie call.
When Halloween arrives, it’s likely you will see,
The wings of Owlexander flying high above each tree! "


* Winner of this collectible Halloween owl will receive the signed poetry tag as well...


* Hoot Hoot!

* © 2010 Johanna Parker Design *Photos, designs and concepts are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission

The Art of the Garden, Indoors...

I'm oddly fascinated by rusty old garden tools and have been collecting them over the years. Perhaps it's the combination of form and color that intrigues me along with the history and ware of each tool. These relics have clearly worked the earth while time and the elements have left their intriguing patina. I had a small stash of these old beauties stored away, found at garage sales and junk shops. So, when my aunt in Texas surprised me with a package of antique picture frames, the old tools resurfaced. I know it would have made more sense perhaps to fill my great-grandmother's frame with a painting or a pretty photograph, but the old rusty tools were calling! I could see the composition in my mind but was uncertain just how I would attach them in an artistic way. Luckily, JP was fast to help....



JP is a woodworker, so he hoards scraps of wood like I save bits of old crepe paper, trims and buttons. Cut to size, a scrap of bead-board made for the perfect backer. I mixed a batch of papier mache and coated one side, filling in most of the grooves of the wainscot and creating my own interesting texture.



I wanted to mimic the background of my green drip-painted wall so that the tools looked as if they were floating within this carved frame. Luckily I was able to match the hues to create the effect. We drilled holes and wove rusted wire up and over and around the various tools, securing them from the backside. I added a bit of whimsy to some, swirling and curling the wire as I often like to do.



Once complete, we hung this unusual composition on the wall, stepped back and marveled at its uniqueness. These old utilitarian tools remind me of the weary hands from the past and could each certainly tell a story if only they could speak. Where were they used, and what did they help to create, who used them and so on are questions that ramble through my mind. But, who would have ever imagined that these discarded tools would be hanging on my wall?! That's what I love about this story.



Many thanks to my Aunt Jeri for sending me this truly wonderful old frame which inspired this unusual project. The theme of bringing the garden indoors spurred other ideas as well, and soon, an old trellis quickly became a wall companion. While the wall decor was taking shape, I was excited to learn that I won a lovely garden-themed cone, gifted by artist friend, Nancy Malay. So, when her package arrived last week, I had just the spot for her creation. Thank you Nancy, it looks lovely here.


* Another angle of Nancy's garden-themed handmade cone...

Moral of the story is that the simplest of objects, long-forgotten from the past can find a new life, can create a stir in the imagination and a wonderment if seen from a different perspective. I always try to give these cast-offs a second chance and perhaps even a spot on my wall! I would love to read about what treasures you have created from old, commonplace items from the past. I welcome you to share in the comments section below.

~ Johanna

* © 2010 Johanna Parker Design *Photos are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Me & Mom.....

It's Mother's Day, and although Mom lives far far away from me, I am thinking of her. The chance to visit only comes but a few times a year as the distance between Denver and Seattle is certainly more than that short walk between our homes used to be. Thank goodness for email and the phone as both assure me that she is doing well, meeting new friends and creating again! It truly pleases me that she is "following her bliss" as she types in her emails, staying up late at night and designing primitive folk art. Thanks to Mom, I too am doing the same thing! It's comforting to know that while I am busy at work sculpting or painting a papier mache character, she too is in her studio creating a treasure in textile. It is a long distance bond that cannot be broken with the same driving force to release our creative spirit and share smiles and joy through our creations. Thank you Mom for instilling in me the notion to apply my talents and to create. I am truly grateful and so happy to see you doing the same.....

Love,
~ Johanna



* Photo from last summer's family visit to Colorado. There, the two of us stand on the top of Vail Mountain, holding hands and swinging our arms back and forth. Fun times indeed!

Frightfully Fun Spider!...

So, if yesterday's "Peek-a-boo" post had you intrigued, well here are few more images of my first spooky Spider Candy Cup! He just listed on eBay this evening and over the course of the next 5 days will be looking for a Halloween home. If you would like to provide him a cozy cobweb, please place a bid before Friday night and thank you for your generosity and your interest! You can visit my Spider Candy Cup Auction Here!

~ Johanna


* With or without his candy egg cup base, he is quite the whimsical arachnid indeed!


* I designed this special fellow, inspired by EHAG's Black & White Fright Challenge, going on this week!



Thank you for your interest!

* © 2010 Johanna Parker Design *Photos & Designs are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Peek-a-Boo!

Well, I just snapped some photos of my Black & White Fright EHAG Challenge piece. I know, I know, he's not quite ALL black and white, but I hope that he will do! I have decided to post him on eBay tomorrow night instead of Tuesday, so he'll be a 5-Day auction. Stay tuned for a link to his page with lots more pics. And yes, he's a frightfully-fun spider ~ My first spider candy egg cup! More to come......

Thanks,
~ Johanna



You can click on the Black & White Fright Logo Badge in the left-side column to visit the various works of B&W EHAG art available throughout the week. Keep checking back as more items will be listing daily!

* © 2010 Johanna Parker Design *Photos & Designs are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Celeste Strikes Again!....

I thought I would sneak one more Collector's Catch piece in before the month of April came to a close. Yesterday, I worked on all sorts of things from designing our front porch vestibule addition to snowmen for Bethany Lowe, and then I finished off the day by painting the final details on "Crescent Kenny" here. I snapped some photos of him before I made a late dinner, and then prepared the graphics for his debut. After a long day of design galore, he posted to my Folk Art Originals page at 11:15pm, and by 11:21, my collector friend, Celeste had caught him! I didn't have a chance to even start on the blog post tease as she was so very quick! What's her secret? I don't know, but she's hard to beat! I believe this is her 4th "catch" so far. That makes her the Queen Catcher I do believe :) Anyone out there wanting to conquer Celeste will have to refresh my Folk Art Originals page habitually and tap into your psychic powers or pull out those good luck charms! It's true that my friend Sandy was able to catch "Batilda," my last CC piece in under 20 minutes, so there is hope for some of you out there wanting to be the next Catcher! All I can say is good luck, and thank you ALL for your interest and determination as it keeps me excited about what I do......

PS... I will be posting my EHAG Black & White Fright Challenge piece on eBay, this weekend. Stay tuned here for a possible tease.......

Happy Catching,
(and thank you Celeste!)
~ Johanna

* © 2010 Johanna Parker Design *Photos & Designs are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Recipe for Sweet Indulgence...

I LOVE to cook, but I don't claim to be a baker. Of course, I love cookies and cakes, pies and other sinfully rich delights, but just looking at these delicacies can pile on the pounds. However, I will make an exception for a special occasion or request. Yesterday was JP's Birthday, and he asked that I make him a Chocolate Torte!



Twist my arm right?...Hardly! I have a weakness for chocolate torte, and so jumped at the chance. I went digging for a recipe that I made him 7 years ago for the same occasion. My notes said, "Best so far"... and "Excellent!" So, we went ingredient shopping, and pictured above is the end result! We cut into it and savored each bite moments before midnight. Tempted? Well, I thought I would share the recipe with you just in case.... Warning, this is RICH, so share it with your family and friends so you don't find yourself regretful from eating it ALL :)

Flourless Chocolate Torte Recipe
Yield: 16 servings

Ingredients:
3 oz - unsweetened chocolate
5 ea - eggs
1 c - sugar
1 c - butter, unsalted, melted
3 oz - semisweet chocolate
1/4 c - cornstarch sifted
1/2 tsp - vanilla

***GLAZE***
6 1/2 oz - semisweet chocolate
2 tbs - butter
1/3 c - heavy cream

Directions:
Over hot water in top of double boiler, beat the eggs and sugar until mixture is very light and almost white in color. Remove from heat. (I started out with a hand whisk and realized after several minutes that I might be standing there for hours. So, I hollered for JP to grab the electric mixer and whisk attachment, and eventually I arrived at the desired result. Eggs, slowly cooking over a double boiler make me nervous, so luckily he was around. In this blend, I actually used all natural cane sugar, so it was a bit more creamy in color once all fluffed up)

Meanwhile, melt the butter and skim off the foam. Return to heat and melt the chocolates within the butter. ( We went to Whole Foods and purchased bar and chip chocolate in their bakery / coffee bar. I was in search for Callebaut Belgian chocolate, as JP is from Belgium and that's a popular baking choice out there. However, it was unavailable, so we bought a 6 oz bar of dark South American chocolate, and about 6 oz of German milk chipped chocolate. I say experiment. If you love chocolate, you can't go wrong :) Next time, I think I will use more dark chocolate and less milk chocolate, as this particular torte is pretty sweet!

Beat the sifted cornstarch slowly into the cooling egg mixture on low speed and until thoroughly blended.

Stir the vanilla into the chocolate mixture, and then pour the chocolate mix into the egg mixture and stir by folding until it's uniform in color. Spoon into a 10-inch springform pan that has been greased and floured.

Bake at 325 F for 20-25 minutes, until torte slightly pulls away from sides of pan. A knife inserted in center will NOT come out clean, so do not over bake! (I took mine out after 22 minutes. It was rather jiggly in the middle, and after about a minute, it deflated a bit leaving a central depression, perfect for the glaze) Cool in the springform pan, and remove from ring.

To make the glaze, melt remaining chocolate, butter and cream and spoon over the cooled torte. Refrigerate and chill completely. Every bite is rich, dense and delish! I suggest serving it with raspberries or strawberries and a hot cup of cappuccino!

(I would credit the writer of this recipe, but I found it online 7 years ago, printed it off and added to my 'lil recipe book. I've changed it a bit, and all I can say is that it won't disappoint if you're a chocolate lover like me!)

Happy SWEET Birthday JP!
xoxo,
~ Johanna

Already Caught!...

Well, the wire legs of my winged finial creature featured in my "Wired" post have found a permanent home with sweet Batilda here as her whimsical bat wings. I just finished this piece this morning, and posted her on the Folk Art Originals page of my website as a Collector's Catch! I thought I would check to see just who out there was on their toes, or perhaps was having a lucky day, and so opted not to tease Batilda here on my blog. To my surprise, she was caught in just twenty minutes by my collector friend, Sandy in Pennsylvania! Nice chatting with you Sandy, and thank you for catching Batilda! :)

~ Johanna

PS: For more info about my Collector's Catch series, keep scrolling down...



So, what is "Collector's Catch?"

My Collector's Catch series is a fun, spontaneous way for me to offer my one of a kind pieces to those who happened to be looking for them at the right place and the right time! Unlike scheduled web sales, a Collector's Catch piece will list on my Folk Art Originals page without advance notification, making it fun to "catch" it! The best way to snag an original from this series is to frequent my website here at this link:

Johanna Parker's Folk Art Originals

And, I may also blog right here about the latest Collector's Catch piece right after posting one to my website. So, make sure to FOLLOW my blog to stay in the loop! Just click on "Follow" on the top right sidebar of this page. :)

* © 2010 Johanna Parker Design *Photos & Designs are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Exposed...

Do you have dreams of standing unclad on a bustling city street or perhaps on a blazing stage before an audience? Luckily, I have not experienced such a dream, but trust me, I do have some bizarre ones! However, the idea of exposing my folk art characters in their various phases of development does create a similar unveiled feeling for me. Often rough to the touch and bare-skinned white, each is without a coat of color and pattern. It takes me many steps and layers (and did I mention patience?) to create each figure just right. Initial sculpts are coarse and unrefined, and they beg for a patch here and a tuck there. More and more layers of papier mache and sanding along the way will eventually create a look I am willing to accept, and then I allow the paint and creative juices to flow again. As you will see, I have been busy sculpting and stock-piling my folk art pieces. Here is a glimpse of what has been drying on the rack. Some are ready for paint while others are just taking form. I must admit, I am feeling a little exposed right now, but I think it will be therapeutic to share here on the world-wide stage of my blog......
~ Johanna :)


* Drying racks house a menagerie of naked Halloween goods from owls, witches and bats, to skellies, pumpkins and cats....


* "Peek-a-BOO" says the 'lil owl in the crowd....


* This sweet JOL is drying her "do".....


* With no arms and no trims, this little skelly leaves much to the imagination...


* Ahh, a glimmer of paint here and there, and LOOK, do you recognize those bat wings from my last post? Things are starting to take shape... ever so slowly.....


* Cover your eyes, this owl is au naturel!....


* The lid of a witch candy container is in her initial phase.. Don't touch as she may scratch back.......


* Happy kitty here in the crowd is smiling as he IS ready for paint!

Wired!...

I must admit, I LOVE wire, and find its form a captivating accessory to my folk art characters. Lateral flowing lines that all meet at one point and then wander off and tumble and curl in the most interesting ways never fail to delight my eyes. I spent several hours the other day entranced with wire. My intentions were to create a collection of unique pairings of wings for prospective bats, owls, birds and other winged creatures for my fall collection of originals. After 20 wings were complete, I stepped back and marveled at the patterns. As I was about to store them away for safe-keeping, my imagination propelled me to play a little. I grabbed my camera along with some old finds, and styled a few fun photos below. ENJOY! ~ Johanna



* The dusty peach-colored lid from an old face powder tin serves as the center for a radiating pattern of wire wings.


* Bat-Wing Tea anyone?


* And old green floral frog offers an interesting visual treat as it holds a variety of my patterned wire wings...


* An old chartreuse wooden finial that mom sent to me, morphs here into the body of a winged creature, framed by my hand-formed wire accents....


* Artsy close-up...


* Future bat wing posing with that funky antique finial...


* Spider-like wire limbs unfurl and invite the eye to take a closer look...

Donning for Easter...

Holiday hats are all the rage in our house, and for Easter there is no exception! As many of you know, Jack is our fashion model for the seasons, and today was picture day. I found myself in all sorts of odd positions trying to snap the perfect photo ~ don't even try to imagine! :) Anyway, I lucked out, and Jack was partially patient with me as I adjusted his hat and collar time and time again. Have a looksie at the photos I snapped below, and ENJOY! I hope everyone has a happy Easter weekend!
Cheers,
~ Johanna


* His sweet little chickie hat is similar to one that I recently designed for a spring bird to wear in my 2011 Bethany Lowe Designs spring line. I decided to make an extra one for you know who!


* His matching collar is one I made years ago for a bunny sculpture that well, never made its way around the neck of that bunny. See why I hang on to all my scraps and extra trims?! You just never know when you might be needing those... ( Poor Jack, right?) In this photo, Jack is wondering when I am going to take all these darn accessories off of him!!


* Looking for an escape route here, but my knee was doing the blocking.....


* But all clear this way ~ time to jump!.... hehe!


* You have to admit, it's all pretty cute!.... Rest-assured, he is hat & collar free now, and happily looking out the window and cat-chirping at the birds. I think he really does like all the attention though! :)