Gearing up for Zazzle...

I know I've been teasing about opening my Zazzle Shop, and yes, I'm STILL teasing you! But, I promise to open shop this month with a Grand Opening Event and a few Door Prizes to boot! We ordered some sample shirts and a coffee mug, all featuring just a few of the illustrations that I will be embellishing my products with. Finally, as the weather and our schedules lined up just right, we had a chance to model some of these shirts yesterday afternoon. I wanted to make sure that the shirts fit properly and the prints were to my liking. So far so good ~ let me know what you think! I am finishing up a series of whimsical illustrations that too will be applied to shirts, totes, mugs and the like! So, please stay tuned!  Enjoy the teaser for now........


* Me, modeling my classic Johanna Parker Design jack-o'-lantern logo!


* Pure silliness here as JP passes me my dancing black cat coffee mug!


* My chandelier owl image in black, boldly marks the front of JP's Halloween orange tee!


* OH, is that an owl on my chest?!  Hehe!...  Again, the same owl image as above, but this time filled in with Halloween hues atop a field of white ~ very striking!


* Why not get coordinated!  If you love black cats, go ahead and accessorize!  :-)


* Just another couple shot to show off our new tees...



Thanks for peeking, and I promise to open the doors soon to my Zazzle Shop. You can certainly save the LINK to my shop for now and become a FAN for Zazzle updates. If you'd like to see a few more images from our silly photo shoot, please visit my Johanna Parker Design Facebook Fan Page. Hit the "LIKE" button once there to stay in the loop about my Grand Opening, door prizes and more!

Thanks for stopping by,
~ Johanna

Web Sale Tease...

Yesterday, I happily finished a collection of ten, one of a kind originals for this-coming Wednesday evening's web sale! JP and I spent our Friday night taking their photos for all of the sale graphics I will need to create ~ it's quite the task... Along the way, we had a little fun with some teaser pics which I will post below. If you would like more information about my Black & White Delight Web Sale, please visit my Folk Art Originals page and join my mailing list. There's a quick sign-up form as you scroll down. And, if I have time to spare, perhaps I will complete a few more goodies to add to the collection. Have a wonderful weekend, and perhaps I'll see you on Wednesday!

~ Johanna



* Remember, if you see something you wish to adopt on sale night, please email me with the name of the piece so I can reserve it for you.



Photography, © 2011 Johanna Parker Design, LLC

Mark Your Calendars...

Finally, my friends, I have committed to my first Web Sale of the Year! I am working feverishly on a collection of one of a kind Halloween characters, all donning a vintage style, Black & White motif. This event starts on the evening of Wednesday, May 25th, so save the date! I will be updating the Folk Art Originals page of my website, so remember to refresh your browser as the sale begins. For the exact start time, please Join my Mailing List by clicking on the owl image on the right sidebar. See you there & thanks for your interest!

~ Johanna :)

Familiar Friends EHAG Challenge...

This week, a handful of EHAG artisans, including myself are offering our latest Challenge art pieces. The theme is "Familiar Friends". For those of you, ~unfamiliar~ with this term, keep reading for a little background history. My collectible piece features a grinning black cat that sits within a delicately painted egg cup. He's available on eBay this week, so visit his Auction Page for lots more pictures and additional info.



Why "Familiar Friends" you ask? Well, according to European folklore from the Medieval and Early Modern periods, "familiar spirits," sometimes referred to as "familiars," were supernatural entities that were believed to assist witches in their magical practice. According to transcripts from that era in time, these familiars would appear in various guises, often as animals and most frequently seen as black cats. Hence, the classic "witch and her black cat" image was born which we now see as an iconic symbol of Halloween.



This week, many of the artists of EHAG will be posting their renditions of this fun challenge theme on various sites, including eBay, Etsy and more... And with my passion for black cats, this was a theme not to pass up! For my challenge piece, I blended my signature black cat character with an egg cup featuring a detailed silhouette of a gentle witch cradling her black cat familiar.



This is a unique collectible, as the painted egg cup can be twisted to reveal a variety of scenes. With his hand-painted details, vintage paper collar, wire arms and a wee touch of black glass glitter high on his hat, this jovial character is certainly a keeper!

Thanks for looking and taking an interest in my creations! I truly appreciate it.

© 2011 Johanna Parker Design, LLC ~ Photos may not used without permission

Happy Mother's Day!...

To ALL our dear mothers who have taken us under their wings, fluffed our feathers and allowed us to soar.........

May it be Tweet :-)

With much love,
Johanna

Thinking Outside the Inbox...

I am the first one to admit that my mailing list is like gold. It's the best way I have to stay in touch with those of you that have expressed an interest in collecting my folk art. I have carted around a clipboard sign-up sheet since my first official show back in 2003, collecting your email addresses as I go. With the advent of my website and other online avenues that have helped collectors discover my work, I have accumulated a nice list of contacts that I automatically email when I have news and art to share! I try to keep my emails to a monthly minimum of one or two at best, and other times I may even skip a month if life is just too busy. Of course, there are those occasional bounce-backs when certain email address are no longer valid, and that's just part of life. But lately, the bounce-backs have been intense! Hundreds have returned in masses, filling up my inbox to the brim!....



And this is just a snippet of what last returned....



It's enough to make my head spin, and lately it has!



What is going on? Why are so many of my collectors' emails bouncing back? Upon further investigation, many of the names are from folks that continue to collect, travel to my shows, appreciate my work and on and on. Why... I ask?



Well, the conclusion I have reached is not so pretty! Your spam filters are discriminating, and I know it's not your fault. It's the wave of the future. As various email providers compete for your business, they have become increasingly diligent at fighting "spam." And, it looks like little 'ol me sending out my occasional innocent email blast, has been labeled as a spammer! Dahduhduhduuuhhhhh! (creepy sound-effect!) The more iron-clad your spam filter is, the more likely you have not been receiving my messages. After reading various forums on this topic, I realized that my last email was filled with no-no's, like green text, red text, exclamation points, and no clear option for you to unsubscribe if you choose. EEEEK!

As technology jumps WAY ahead of me, I feel that the time has arrived to meet it head on! So, I am in the process of transferring my mailing list over to MailChimp, which claims to be a secure way for me to reach you without having to jump through hoops. The advantage here will be clear when you see my next official Newsletter. I will have the option to actually "design" an email newsletter and integrate it with various websites and social networks. At first, I was dragging my feet, but as long as the learning curve isn't too challenging for my right-sided brain, I think I will be pleased. I hope you will be too!

So, for those of you that previously joined my list, you should be all set! However, if you haven't heard from me via email in quite some time, I would suggest that you join again. It's simple to sign up, and I have a Join My Mailing List form on my website. You can also follow the owl graphic, top right of this page to get there. And Fans on Facebook can also join from my FB Artist Page. (just look for the link on the left sidebar)

My fingers are crossed that this communications upgrade goes smoothly and works well for all of us! So, be looking for my new first official Newsletter to (hopefully) appear in your inbox soon.

Thanks for stopping by!
~ Johanna

Hoot Hoot for April!...

Owls for Halloween are always a HOOT, so why not get a head start this spring! After all, the birds are chirping and the feathers are now a'flutter as we look outdoors. What a treat it would be to spot an owl, so I decided to make my own since it's often a rare gift to see one. This particular owl is decorated with a series of intricate moons and a tiny mouse marks his front! He's up for bids on eBay through Easter weekend with an auction ending on Tuesday evening at 7pm PST. You can enjoy a fun variety of photos and a full description of this collectible egg cup character of mine by visiting his eBay Auction Link! Many thanks for your interest and your generous bids if you feel so inclined. I appreciate your support.

Thank you,
~ Johanna


* Stylized wings of wire certainly bring a touch of magic and whimsy to this striking character!...


* 'Lil mouse peers into the Mr. Moon's eyes with wonder and intrigue....


* Another crescent moon decorates his back, while two full moon faces bring smiles and laughs to each side...



Images & Designs, © 2011 Johanna Parker Design. Photos may not be used without permission.

In the Rough...

Although this is a bit exposing, I thought I would offer you a sneak peek at what I have been working on. Time certainly likes to tick away, and before I know it, the fall season will be here! This happens every year! So, I am starting to chip away at this year's collection of Halloween originals. I will cart some of these characters off to one of the 2 Halloween Events that I will exhibit in this year, while others will be offered throughout the year via online web sales, eBay and more. At the moment, most of these guys are in the rough. It takes layer upon layer for me to attain the desired look and smoothness when working my papier mache. So, if they look a wee bit bumpy, well eventually they will all be smooth to the touch. If only I could snap my fingers and they would all be complete! (still working on that!)

For now, enjoy the peek!
~ Johanna


* I am really enjoying the ghosts this year! These whimsical characters will be a fun addition to my Halloween line......

''
* More ghosts, some owls, cats and jacks, are all at various stages of drying and completion....


* A cat egg cup cries out for arms and a few coats of paint to bring him to life!


* Ouch! Looks like I am poking this poor hoot-hoot's eye out, but really I'm just smoothing the papier mache.....

Maybe you'll spot one of these characters all decked out in his or her finery, later this year, or perhaps sooner if I decide to part with a few here and there......

Thanks for stopping by!

PS... Did you know that Johanna Parker Design now has a Fan Page on Facebook?
https://www.facebook.com/JohannaParkerDesign
Please join me there for news, photos and fun! Make sure to click the LIKE button once you are there to stay in touch! Thank you......

Photos & Folk Art Designs, © 2011 Johanna Parker Design, LLC. Images may not be used without permission.

Meeting Artist, Gary Baseman...

I think the stars aligned on Monday morning as I checked my in-box for new emails. I noticed a reminder that I had missed before from the Colorado chapter of the AIGA. It was an invitation to attend world-famous Artist, Gary Baseman's lecture at the Denver Art Museum. Oh MY, I thought to myself! I hopped over to his Facebook page and noticed that he had posted a note to his fans about the event that night. I added my own comment via my JPD profile about hoping to attend. Soon, the two of us we were chatting about Halloween art, and I realized this was a unique opportunity, not to be missed...... So, JP and I attended and really enjoyed his colorful presentation. Soon, we became more aware of the hidden meanings and lessons he paints through his amusing imagery, and how insightful that was! The next evening we had the opportunity to meet Gary for drinks downtown. Gary, myself and an intimate group of artists shared our thoughts on art, and I enjoyed flipping through Gary's current sketchbook! What a treat! I even brought along a few Halloween kettle cups of mine for him to see, and he said they were "so cool" ! :)


* There's me with Gary, and I'm holding his limited edition "Toby" doll, the keeper of his dirty secrets! Toby often appears in Gary's fine art... And by the way, Toby gets around way more than the garden gnome in the movie Amelie!

Now, let's rewind a wee bit, back ten years or so when I was deep into my corporate TV news-graphics job. I had just won an Emmy Award for my animations. But, despite all the hype and glam that goes along with acquiring my own golden-winged statue, I was feeling creatively deprived. Since I was the station's Art Director, I convinced the higher-ups to pay for an annual membership to the Art Director's Club of Denver, and with that came the unique chance to see Gary Baseman's lecture down town. His whimsical art had intrigued me ever since the day I first spotted his work in Communication Arts Magazine. This guy was painting with no limits, quirky characters and animals with a mischievous innocence that captured my imagination, AND he was making a living at doing it! OH how I yearned to allow my creative spirit to sail. Who knows really why or what inspired me to finally follow my heart, but perhaps Gary's passion and ability to translate his wildly imaginative world onto canvas helped me to step out and express myself through my papier mache and paints. It was just a couple years after I saw that first lecture that I took my own leap of faith. Of course, Gary is certainly more on the wild side with the images and symbolism that he allows to channel through him, but I just love his style. He blurs the line between toy culture and fine art, and his work has a vintage appeal that captures my eye. At first glance there is a sense of innocence and novelty that intrigues me. Upon further inspection however, I often find myself scratching my head and giggling a bit!



This time Gary came to town, that personal urge for me to let my artistic self free had been replaced with a calming sense of gratitude and excitement to be chatting with a fellow creative that has followed his artist passions as well. He has two more Emmys than myself (heheh, oh well! :), he's traveled the world sharing his art and has worked for Disney just to name a few accolades... Fortunately, I can name a few for myself now, and it is so satisfying to reap the rewards of years of hard work and dedication to the craft of being an artist. We are both spreading smiles and laughter through our art, and what a joy that is! In all, it was a pleasure to meet the man behind the "pervasive art" as he calls it, and I want to thank him for inspiring me along the way.




* For those of us that joined Gary for drinks, he gifted each one of us a collectible handkerchief, featuring his latest "Ghost Girl" from his Walking through Walls series. This altered photo comes from his massive vintage collection of people and children wearing costumes and masks. You can see Jack is certainly sniffing it out!


* And clearly, we both have a passion for black cats.....


* And Halloween.....


* And we've all seen this in the board game section of the stores, right?!

To see LOTS more of Gary's work, go to GaryBaseman.com for a visual treat.
Or Google him! He's out there...... :)

All images of Gary's work featured in this post have been used with permission by the artist ~ © Gary Baseman

Owlfred is Sweet...

I just received another fun sample from this year's collection of Halloween reproductions from my Bethany Lowe Designs product line. Introducing, "Sweet Owlfred!" He is a 10" tall hollow owl with a removable hat which doubles as a lid! I have found a couple of fun uses for him already, but he could certainly be filled with treats as well! Take a peek, and see what you think. I initially created this piece as a solid character and just indicated where the hole in his head (ouch!) would go. The hat was created separately, and Bethany Lowe Designs worked their magic. Now, you can stash whatever you like inside! I believe Sweet Owlfred will be available in early summer, so make sure and ask your favorite vendors to order him now before he's sold out! Enjoy this sneak peek...

~ Johanna


* What a strikingly sweet character to add to your Halloween festivities this fall!


* Not only is he cute, but he's handy too! Allow him to be the keeper of those old crusty paint brushes that you just can't quite part with. He will certainly dress them up....


* Or, give Owlfred a place to perch and display a fun arrangement of spooky stars or another eye-catching array of Halloween decorations.... dried roses, gnarled branches or perhaps raven's feathers come to mind..... Or for something on the sweeter side, Halloween lollipops and licorice sticks would be quite a sprawling treat!


* Sweet Owlfred says, "see you soon!"


Designs & Photography © 2010-2011 Johanna Parker Design, LLC
Images may not be used without permission

Spirits, Anyone?...

Hmm, could she possibly be referring to the nebulous spooks that go bump in the night, or perhaps a bubbly evening beverage to taste? Both sound intriguing, but I'm actually referring to my one of a kind EHAG Emporium piece that I am offering this evening. "Spirited Sparky" was born out of my new fascination for painting ghostly figures this month. Sparky himself is a robust, black and cream colored cat, but his bulbous base tells a haunting tale of flowing ghosts in graphic shapes and hues. If you would like to adopt this original folk art character, please Email Me to secure this piece! Keep scrolling down for additional photos and details, and don't forget to visit EHAG's Emporium to marvel at the other haunting originals by fellow artists, this evening!

Thank you!
~ Johanna



SOLD to Elaine ~ "Spirited Sparky"
~ Thank you!
$365 plus shipping ~ 5.5" tall by 3.25" wide
Signed, dated and marked 1/1
He wears a wispy strand of black filament around his neck, and a handmade vintage crepe paper bow tie adds a festive touch below his chin!



Sparky and his eye-catching base are intriguing from all angles. Add him tonight to your collection of haunting delights!

Designs & Photography © 2011 Johanna Parker Design, LLC
Images may not be used without permission

Toot Toot!...

Finally, my first sample pair of decorative Halloween tin horns arrived! These collectible goodies are part of my 2011 fall collection of reproductions from Bethany Lowe Designs. From the day I first spied a vintage toy horn cloaked in whimsical imagery, I have been intrigued by these novelties. What a pleasure it was to create my own vintage style versions, complete with a black cat and of course an owl companion to match. Proudly standing a tall 13" in height, this spooky-fun coupling will certainly add a festive ring to your home this Halloween season. I believe these party pleasers will be available in early summer, so make sure and ask your favorite vendors to order them now before they are sold out! Enjoy this sneak peek... TOOT TOOT!

~ Johanna


* A perched owl and a frolicking cat bring these decorative horns to life!


* They look great side by side and stunning across your mantel.....


* Up close and personal with this ornery owl!


* It's always a hoot to dance with the bats......


* Mix these collectible pieces with your existing collection of vintage horns or other antique Halloween novelties....


* Smile ~ Halloween's just around the corner :)

Designs & Photography, © Johanna Parker Design. Images may not be used without permission.

Halloween, 2012......

Designing holiday products can be tricky as I must think a year-plus in advance while creating my pieces off season. The latter comes natural since I always have Halloween on the mind! But, I do find my patience running thin as I design and create pieces that will not be available for more than a year. By the time they arrive, it's like a happy reunion where the face is pleasantly familiar, but we do have to get reacquainted a bit. This week, I am finishing up a small batch of Halloween prototypes for Bethany Lowe Designs, 2012. I had fun with these as I decided to blend my illustrations with the sculptures that I love to create. The end result is a series of fun, jack-in-a-box style candy box characters that serve as both decorative as well as functional pieces of art! The first image is a mock-up as I honestly ran out of time to actually build the boxes. Keep scrolling down for more.....



The illustration of a lanky pumpkin man teetering atop a jack-o'-lantern
creates the fun panels for this sweet piece.



These sample drawings are a trio of sideshow-style images conveying a whimsical character framed in a staged setting. Four panels of each design will comprise each box, and the corresponding character's bust will crown the box's lid!



Of course, I had to include one of my black cats in the mix!



Here's another peek at my jack-o'-lantern character! What a fun face :)



And, my first licensed skelly will be making his debut alongside the other two characters. I'm looking forward to reuniting with this fun trio next fall! Now, if only I were more patient.....

I also squeezed in a spooky spider design.... Stay tuned for a peek at him later...

Happy Haunting,
~ Johanna

PS... I'm starting a few Facebook Fan Page photo albums of my work....
Simply click "LIKE" once you are there to receive my feeds. Thanks for your support.

Goblins & Ghosties March in!....

The artists of EHAG were presented with their first Halloween Art Challenge of the year, "Goblins & Ghosties!" Oddly enough, I have never created a ghost before... So, this was a fun, outside-of-the-box project for me, and I willingly played along. As a result, "Ghostie Boo" was just born, and what fun I had creating him. You can find a variety of photos and details featuring this unique character on his corresponding eBay Auction page. Thanks to all for taking a peek and for kindly offering a bid if you are so inclined. I also invite you to visit EHAGart's Blog which we will continue to update with the various Goblins & Ghosties that our participating artists have created. ENJOY, and BOO to You!

~ Johanna


* Stylized wire arms of an ethereal nature, raise high and create a spooky sense while framing his sweet ghostie face...




* Recessed teardrop eyes mimic his ghostly form and tend to follow you as you pass by this spooky little spirit!


* A pair of spirits meet on his backside and create an eerily flowing effect.....

Designs & Photos, © 2011 Johanna Parker Design, LLC ~ Photos may not be used without permission

Do you "LIKE" me?....

With social networking as the sign of the times, new language is in play. And, with Facebook setting the stage, the word "friend" has suddenly become a verb, and FB Page Keepers find themselves tracking their number of "LIKES" as some sort of a popularity contest.... It all reminds me a bit of high school, and so does the peer pressure that goes along with it. For quite some time, I have been reluctant to open an official Artist Page on Facebook for that very reason, but yesterday I caved in. Subsequently, I have been absorbed with it ever since, but I am hopeful that the novelty of it all, for me at least, will soon fade as I need to get some work done. But as many of you know, these social networking sites can certainly suck you in! I have been uploading images of my work, shows, etc.. to my new Johanna Parker Design Page, and if you are so inclined, please stop in for a visit, leave a comment perhaps, and of course I would appreciate a "LIKE" once you are there..... That is, IF you "LIKE" me... :) Oh I just have to laugh......



Yes, it's just one more thing to add to the list of to-do's, maintaining yet another page in the world of cyberspace. But, I do see the benefits as well in having the opportunity to connect with more people to share my art and create more smiles in this rather complicated world we live in. Of course, I promise to continue updating my blog with various news, images, and more. So, I'll be OUT there......

Thank you for your support and interest as always....
~ Johanna

Treasured Gifts, CARNIVAL TALE!

Some may call it coincidence, and others perhaps good fortune, but I call it whimsy in motion. Last week, two packages addressed to me, arrived on the same day. One made its journey from Tennessee while the other had traveled all the way from Australia... I was anticipating the latter as I knew I had won a sweet little papier mache crown from the magically talented Aussie artist, Victoria Sayer. While I was hosting my blog giveaway back in January, she popped in to invite me to enter hers at the Green and White Garden. Weeks later, a happy message appeared in my in-box stating that I had won the frog prince's wee golden crown! Her charming grand daughter, dressed as a pirate captain, drew my name from a slew of fans! What fun I thought, and how lucky I must be!



Then, a few weeks later while casually chatting with friends and family on Facebook, my (fairy) godmother Melinda reminded me of Mardi Gras and asked if Jack would be modeling for the Carnival. The thought had never crossed my mind, but we giggled a bit about the idea and went on our merry way.... To my surprise, the other package was from Melinda, and it contained a shiny loot of Mardi Gras beads, a festooned purple glove and three mini masks, just Jack's size!



Was it a coincidence that Victoria's wee little crown was just his size too? Then, images of Mardi Gras flashed in my mind ~ beads, masks, feathers AND crowns parading in a frenzy of color and delight! OK, I get the hint!!!! I laughed and laughed and had Jack model the bejeweled treasures this afternoon for additional grins!



And, I guess it was meant to be! The whimsy in motion worked its creative magic, and the photos below bring it ALL together!



Jack, in his purple, green and golden finery, would like to wish you a jolly Mardi Gras and gives us all an excuse to smile, laugh and perhaps add a little extra bling to our wardrobes this spring!



And let this fun tale be a lesson that whimsy is all around us! Acknowledge it and invite it in to stay :)



Thank you to both Victoria Sayer and Melinda Hightower for allowing this whimsy to unfold........

xoxoxo,
~ Johanna

Dazzled by Owls and such...

Here I am again with another quick update from the studio of all things whimsical and fun! My artist hand has been busy at work, illustrating and designing some fun new characters for my new line of products this year! I FINALLY finished my owl illustration that I introduced to you earlier this month. He is complete with a set of mesmerizing eyes and slated for various products SOON to hit my Zazzle Shop! I have been playing on my computer and have made various versions of this owlicious character, some for ALL seasons and some for my favorite holiday! Can you guess which one that is?? I am including a few peeks below, and I hope you return when the doors open to my new online store! I have ordered a few samples for myself for final inspection. Once those pass the test, I will let you know! Enjoy the peek and have a very happy week!

~ Johanna


* For a more all-season approach, I eliminated the jack-o'-lantern that this sweet owl is holding in my original illustration, added a calming field of soft green and will apply him to various products..... I'm thinking the tote bag below will be Oh-So-Fun and functional!.....


* Zazzle is great because you can Customize your purchase! So, if you love the image, but want it on a smaller tote, shopping bag, vertical tote, etc.. you can add my image to your preferred choice!


* Of course, this image was a pleasure to create! I applied a series of bold Halloween hues and filled in my base drawing with a warm, autumn palette! Check back later to see this spooky character on apparel and more....


* Oh, and lookie who we have here! It's my stylin' dancing cat from the previous blog post. "Lets' Boogie" will certainly be a fun way to kick start your day :) And, again if you prefer the image on the opposite side of the mug or perhaps a different mug, it's an easy click away!

I would LOVE your feedback! Visit Zazzle's Main page and click their CREATE link to see the various products they offer. If you have your heart set on something in particular that you would like me to to offer in my shop, please let me know!

Thank you......

PS: As you can see, I have been a bit preoccupied with illustration and graphic design this month. As a result, I will not be posting a new Halloween original on EHAG's Emporium this evening. Fingers are crossed that I will be more prepared in March!

Coloring within the Lines....

I thought it would be fun to share a little update here on one of the black & white illustrations I was working on earlier this month. You can refer to my "Back to the Drawing Board" post for a peek at the early stages. My whimsically fun dancing cat is now complete with color and CATitude! I scanned him and have been cutting him out on the computer and adding this character to various notepads for my Primitives by Kathy fall 2011 submission. I think he will be quite fun on T-shirts and bags as well once I open my Zazzle Shop! But first, I would like to order a few samples for myself to make sure he is looking just right. Stay tuned for that, and for now, enjoy the photos......

~ Johanna


* JP took some fun "Artist at work" photos of me the other night..... This time I came prepared and didn't have to shoo him away!... :)


* Just a crop on one of my new Halloween notepads for fall 2011..... If all goes as planned, you'll be able to purchase these through Primitives by Kathy!


* Another crop on this silly character against a field of purple yumminess... I was just playing with color here!


* And one more peek-a-boo style version of this cat slated for a list format notepad from Primitives by Kathy. Notice his right arm is waving in this one.... Oh the magic of Photoshop :)

PS.. I still haven't finished inking in the fanciful owl yet! There have been too many distractions around here, but he's waiting for me on my drafting table and he STILL has no eyes!

Sights of Spring!....

It was a fun surprise for me to spot a pair of my Spring product designs in the current March issue of Country Sampler Magazine! Under the "Chicks Ahoy" heading on page 11, the magazine recommends grouping them as a set for your dining table's center piece, staggering them on bookshelves for retro pizazz or lining them up on the mantel! Whatever you do, make sure to fill them with treats, or in this case, Easter eggs and flowers will do. Be creative. And thanks goes out to The Holiday Barn for sourcing my vintage-style spring jars on their website!


* This fun set is from my Spring Bethany Lowe Designs product collection...


* Look for your copy of Country Sampler today and don't forget to visit all the various Country Treasures featured for March!

* Magazine layout & photography, © 2011 Emmis Publishing LP

Sending Valentine Smiles to You!...

From our custom CATalog of cat fashions is Jack here once again in his holiday wear! He dons a red hat with frosty February flakes and a sparkling red heart to top it all off... Despite his moody character yesterday, we were lucky to snap a few memorable moments with Jack all decked out in his latest Valentine's attire. Honestly though, he had HIS HEART set on running off to his favorite tattered rug for some kitty lovins'!
(that's where he likes it best :)

Enjoy! Sending you smiles, laughter and a little extra love to spread around.
xoxoxo,
~ Johanna, JP and Jack












Designs & Photography © 2011 Johanna Parker Design, LLC
Images may not be used without permission