Halloween Interview!...

I thought I would share a fun interview that my friend Jennifer Fisher has just posted on her wonderful Vintage Halloween Collector Blog! Learn a little bit more about me if you wish, WIN a pair of my illustrated charms perhaps, and keep scrolling down for lots of spooktacular eye candy! Thank you Jennifer for the invitation to share my story and art with your fans :)

Glimpse at some Ghoultide Goodies...

Finally, I have my one of a kind, papier mache, folk art characters completed and packed away for next Friday & Saturday's Ghoultide Gathering! I spent yesterday working on my display, choosing a few antique finds from around the house to take with me as props to this spooktacular show! To lighten the load, we opted not to take our large tabletop hutch with us this year, but you'll still be able to locate us by seeking out my jack'-o-lantern logo surrounded by a panache of black plumes! And, before I started to pack all my goodies away, I snapped just a few teaser shots to share. Of course, I will bring many more Halloween delights, so this is just a glimpse of what's to come.... Enjoy!  See you there!........

~ Johanna



* Hoot Hoot!....



* Love how this towering ghost, base chamber vase turned out!  He's just black & white and would be stunning as a year-round display piece.... Gosh, it's difficult to part with these guys.....



* Eeek, squeak!.....



* After much pondering, I decided to release these two pumpkin girl characters that are featured in full on page 25 of Phyllis Hoffman's Celebrate Halloween Magazine.... They are very dear to me, difficult to let go and tricky to put a value on. But, they will each be up for adoption and displayed on the same child's stove as seen in our photography in the magazine!



* One of many black cats, going along for the ride...



* A rare bat bust with wiry wings will be joining us too!



* I spy another owl alongside a mini-bust Jack....



* Just a peek at one of my favorite black cat candy containers....


* Caw Caw..... hoot hoot..... meow.... squeak.... boo......eek!  :)


SAVE the DATE ~ September 30th & October 1 will be here SOON!
To see these characters in their entirety amongst a table-full of spooky companions, (not to mention the amazing, awe-inspiring works of 30 other Halloween artists) make sure you make it out to the Ghoultide Gathering!  It's less than a week away.........


Designs and photography, © Johanna Parker Design, LLC ~ images may not be used without permission

Spirited Creations!...

I must admit, it has been a fruitful Fall season with various magazines showcasing the folk art creations that I make for Halloween! Well, here's a really fun one that I am just thrilled about! Phyllis Hoffman's Celebrate Halloween Magazine just hit the stands last week, and it includes a Designer Profile feature about me! You will find a 5-page story that takes you along my art and career path, and depicts the one of a kind characters that I am making today. JP and I had the pleasure of shooting our own photos for the feature, so once again, we are honored to have a sampling of our photography out in the public's eye. I hope you can spot this spooktacular issue at your local grocery or book store and thoroughly enjoy it! Many thanks to the friendly editorial staff at Celebrate for making this happen :)



* You can't miss the clever and comical coconut cake with ghostly eyes on the cover of this Halloween magazine!....



* After a few takes, JP got just the right shot of me and some of my one of kind Halloween characters!  I wanted to capture a soft blur of our Halloween firescreen in the background along with a glimpse of my striped stockings, me of course, and my creations ~ a tall request indeed when the subject matter is hugging the floor! (Glad I had a yoga mat and some pillows under that orange velure fabric for extra cush!)



* A pair of my pumpkin girls sit atop my vintage green tin child's play stove.....



* This black cat may look familiar as he has made a couple other fun magazines this fall! But, this is one of my favorite shots that we styled... I love the dramatic, fiery colors of the image.



* And to offer my thanks to Celebrate Magazine and their readers, I am sharing 2 of my illustrated Halloween characters with you! I suggested that they appropriately apply them as cupcake picks for parties as this magazine is all about yummy eats and decorating tips for special holiday occasions! So, make sure you pick up a copy for yourself for all the details on this easy-fun, festive project!



FREE Download HERE!
(for personal use only)
To license these designs, please contact Johanna Parker ~ Thank you!

- - - - - - - - - - - - -

Happy Halloween!
~ Johanna


Publication, © 2010 Hoffman Media, LLC
Photography, minus the cupcake image, by Johanna Parker and JP d'Andrimont

Caught, Orange & Black-Handed!...

This afternoon, as I was intensely painting away, JP snuck in and started snapping candid photos of me at work! EEK! No chance for hair & make-up, and where was wardrobe when I needed them?!  Yes, he caught me orange & black-handed, working on the last few pieces in preparation for my two Halloween shows. My long work table is a happy Halloween disaster of characters waiting for a final touch here or perhaps a pair of arms there. Luckily, I have another bin of completed goodies, all ready to go. Just wish I was!.... You're probably asking, why I would even have time to post this. And well, when 9pm rolled around, my right hand was sending me less and less subtle messages to call it a night! Anyway, here's the proof that I am truly busy at work, getting ready for Halloween. We (that's JP and I, along with all the Halloween characters I am bringing to life...) hope to see YOU at the Ghoultide Gathering and/or the Halloween Trunk Show.......

~ Johanna



* Yes, looks I needed to change out my paint water, but who has time!



* A growing crowd of owls, jack-o'-lanterns, bats, black cats, crows, ghosts, a moon and a mouse, are almost officially done. I must say that they look more dapper than I....



* It's a funny feeling to be surrounded by all these spooky-sweet faces staring back at me!



* I take a quick moment to look up as I paint a ghostly black and white base chamber vase...

PS:  If you would like occasional updates regarding my folk art, events and news, please Join My Mailing List and look for the simple email address form at the bottom of my Folk Art Originals page.

You can also catch up with me on Facebook. Choose the "LIKE" button at my Johanna Parker Design page in order to see my news.

And don't forget to sign up for my Halloween Horn Giveaway too! Details are listed below...... Time is a'tickin!

Giveaway on Matthew Mead's Blog!...

In celebration of Halloween and our appreciation for our supportive readers, I am hosting a Giveaway on Matthew Mead's Website! ENTER HERE, read his post titled "A Halloween Giveaway!!" and leave a fun comment for your chance to WIN :)



It's this very same pair of Halloween tin horns that are pictured on page 22 of AUTUMN with Matthew Mead Magazine. They are from my 2011 Halloween Collection of delights, offered by Bethany Lowe Designs, and are featured in my "Trick or Treat" story...

Good luck and hurry on over to leave a comment on Matthew Mead's Website for a chance to win!

Happy Haunting,
~ Johanna

AUTUMN is here!...

...AUTUMN with Matthew Mead Magazine, that is...... I just received my copy before the labor day holiday, so I have had a chance to peek at the lovely fall-themed pages of this collector's book-azine. This issue has extra special meaning to me as I am one of Matthew's style contributors. Fortunately, I had the unique opportunity to document and share a very special Halloween event within its pages. Allow me to entice you with a few teaser images from my 8-page spread, but trust me when I say that it's best enjoyed in your hands and in its entirety!...




* Above, is a snapshot of Matthew's harvest-hued cover atop a grouping of mom's delectable sweets that she baked for her Halloween Collectors Event....



* Yep, that's me being my silly spooky self, standing before a table of my Halloween creations that I shared for an audience of passionate collectors...



* Who's that?  Well, it's Mark Craven of Craven Farm sharing his love for vintage Halloween collectibles to the Washington state Country Collectors Group...



* I spy the costume-bedecked Bruce Elsass of the Hobgoblins Collection in his yellow and black Halloween prints. A tease of Halloween collectibles leave you wanting to see more, I hope! And, look at mom's "Autumn Crow" folk art original pillow.... Sweet!

AUTUMN with Matthew Mead Magazine is an Order Only publication, so snag one for yourself today before they are all gone! CLICK here to Order Yours :) Of course, I am a wee bit partial to the Trick-or-Treat article starting on page 20, but the whole issue is a treat! Enjoy........... OH, and if you missed it, make sure to scroll down to my August 9th blog posting where I share additional photos that we took at this memorable Halloween event... If you have made plans to attend one of the 2 Halloween folk art shows I will be exhibiting at, please bring your copy with you, and I promise to sign it....

Many thanks to Matthew Mead once again for allowing me to bring this special Halloween story to you!

Happy Haunting,
~ Johanna


Photography © Johanna Parker Design, LLC & Matthew G. Mead Productions, Ltd.

Faces of the Ghoultide Gathering....

What a fun surprise! I have the pleasure of being featured as one of the many faces of the Ghoultide Gathering in two different national magazines this fall. The art of each and every artist that exhibits at this fabulous show is truly wonderful, so I am honored that my folk art characters have been chosen to help represent a gathering of talent beyond imagination!




At last year's Ghoultide Gathering, photographer Brad Ziegler from Midwest Living Magazine made the rounds to each artist's table, just hours before the doors opened to the public. He snapped an assortment of images from each artist as we anticipated the show to commence. As quickly as he appeared, he vanished as the frenzy of collectors took center stage. So, almost a year later it is such a delight to see that a sampling of his photos did indeed make the pages of this October's Midwest Living! Turn to page 69 and look for the page titled "Discoveries ~ A few of our Favorite Midwest Finds." An original standing owl sculpture of mine perches at the top right corner of the page, and as I recall, he was one of the first pieces to fly off the shelf! For those of you in the midwest, you should be able to spot this magazine on the stands, and for all others, you can order a copy from Midwest Living.



And have you heard of A Primitive Place Magazine? It's a treasure for those of you looking for your primitive fix! This past spring, this year's artists of a Ghoultide Gathering were asked to submit images of their Halloween folk art, nestled in primitive-style settings, all for a possible feature. This was an easy task for me as a I have amassed a small library of images that I have snapped in the surroundings of my mother's colonial style home. She has an ever-growing collection of my Halloween folk art, so luckily I was able to resort to the photos that I have taken in her primitive home over the years. Fortunately, the candy container witch I made for mom several years ago is included in their Fall 2011 issue! Alongside this sweet piece in the magazine is a fun assortment of my black cats and owls that I photographed at mom's Halloween Collectors Event. To see it all and the wonderful work of several other of my Halloween artist friends, please order you copy HERE!

The 5th Annual Ghoultide Gathering promises to delight your senses and transport you to a place of whimsy and imagination. If you love the happy spirit of Halloween, you must join us!




See you there, or beware..... :)
~ Johanna

Sneak Peek from my Workshop....

With August more than halfway behind me, and September looming, I have been spending long hours in the workshop preparing my collection of Halloween originals for this fall. I have one batch of characters almost complete, but many pieces still yearn for a set of wire arms, wings and the like along with a trim or two to be finished and ready for adoption. It's certainly a process that tends to take me longer with each year ~ I know, it should be the other way around!... So, I have another batch underway, and I spent most of my day sculpting candy containers and other characters that came to mind. As 9pm rolled in, I decided to scrape the crusty papier mache flakes off of my fingers and snap a few teaser images of what I have in store.... Many of these guys are still works in progress, so use your imagination :)
Enjoy!

(PS ~ just peeked at my post again, and ALL these pictures look like they are on fire!  Hot orange saturation galore :) That's what I get for taking my shots at night and working on the graphics with tired eyes....)



* A black & white owl sports my new illustrated hat and awaits a vintage bow tie, perhaps....



* Peek-a-boo!... says the egg cup character peering through a pair of black cats...



* A funky cocoa powder tin holds a series of paintbrushes ready for action...



* Eek! Cover your eyes ~ these guys are still in the nude.....



* A surprised jack-o'-lantern lets out a little shriek! Perhaps she's a wee bit scared of the mouse sneaking up behind her....



*Another jack-o'-lantern is topped by a wee little bat, awaiting a set of whimsy wings... That's a whole process in itself ~ cutting the wire, forming, shaping & curling the tiny wings, a little glue here and a little glue there, drilling some holes more glue, and voila!....
It all takes patience, and I'm honestly not a very patient person!!



* A little box of handmade collars made from vintage crepe papers offers me options when the time comes to dress each character. The papier mache cup is decorated in handpainted autumn leaves and will serve as the base for another JOL character....



* In the works is this owl, obviously in need of eyes and more finishing touches... He sits atop a recycled container that once housed some yum yum yum gelato.... I feel a chocolate craving coming on!....



* Black kitties in the foreground look to be howling at the ghost figures in the back...



* Another peek at some of the Halloween characters that have been watching me work!

Did I get you in the mood for Halloween?  Are you intrigued, and would you like to see more?  Well, I will be revealing all of these fun characters at my 2 Halloween Events this year, and of course you will have the opportunity to adopt one or a few for yourself!

So, please MARK YOUR CALENDARS for:

The 5th Annual Ghoultide Gathering

and

The 6th Annual Halloween Trunk Show

And if you are unable to attend, I do hope to host a Web Sale in October if all goes as planned. So, Join My Mailing List for all the details....

Happy Haunting,
~ Johanna

Autumn with Me & Matthew Mead!...

For a few months now I have been keeping something exciting and very dear under wraps. But, now with fall fast approaching, it is time to let that cat out of its bag! And the scoop is that I am honored to be a style contributor for AUTUMN with Matthew Mead Magazine!



Thanks to the magical web of Facebook and a shared passion for Halloween, Matthew and myself connected and became friends. I quickly realized that he was an admirer of my Halloween folk art and I too of his Halloween themed articles, projects and books that he is certainly well known for. When my mom learned of this new friendship, she began to scheme and dream as she (and I) often do. Scheduled on her fall calendar was a fantastical Halloween event she promised to host within the decorated walls of her colonial style home. It would be a gathering of like-minded souls, sharing a passion for all things October 31st with an emphasis on collecting. I was to be one of the 3 surprise guest speakers presenting Halloween delights to the Country Collectors, a long-standing group of Washington-based friends that collect antiques and the like.... But, besides hosting the event, the idea to document and publish this one of a kind day began to haunt my mother, and naturally, she began to haunt me!

After mom had convinced both myself and JP to fly out for this unique experience, she charmed the hearts of both our friends, Bruce Elsass and Mark Craven to join us in presenting to the group. With Mark's prized collection and knowledge of vintage Halloween novelties, Bruce's vintage costumes and current product designs and my Halloween folk art collectibles, it made for a well-rounded group of Halloween hot shots!  And with everyone on board, we were destined to create a very noteworthy day. Fortunately, Matthew Mead was also intrigued by the idea, so with little time to spare, it was up to us to capture the moment!



I am happy to report that mom's dream truly did become reality! And, if you ask any one of the guest collectors in attendance, they would tell you that it was a magical day indeed. Eyes were bright with delight, while laughter and smiles filled the home. The happy spirit of Halloween was ever present, and the day was truly a treat for all. JP and myself spent countless hours photographing the decor, displays, the food and the presentations in hopes that we could indeed document the event for the opportunity to share it with Matthew's readers.

And guess what?  That opportunity will soon be here! Matthew and his design team are putting the finishing touches on his Autumn issue as I type. The only way you can enjoy his fall issue for yourself is to order your copy directly from Matthew's Website. This Autumn Holiday is destined to be a collectible book-azine as its his last self-published edition before he hits the newsstands with his winter Holiday issue up next! So, I suggest that you order your copy now before they sell out, as numbers are limited.

Matthew Mead's Autumn will be shipping out in early September. In the meantime, I thought it would be fun to offer you a glimpse of the event to pique your curiosity. Since we snapped so many photos, I have extras to share that were not selected for publication. But wait till you see the multiple page spread that Matthew and his design team compiled for us! I can't wait to hold it in my hands, and I am just tickled to think that he included us in his first ever HOLIDAY with Matthew Mead Autumn magazine  :)



* My mom, Kathy Parker, proudly introduces the guest speakers to a captive audience...



* Mark Craven of Craven Farm in Snohomish, Washington talks passionately about his love for vintage Halloween collectibles.....



* Bruce Elsass of the Hobgoblins Collection reveals his fabulous collection of vintage Halloween costumes and had the guests rolling in laughter...



* I share the story of my career path that has led me down a spooky-fun trail of Halloween Folk Art and product design...



* We filled one of mom's antique cupboards with just a sampling of Mark's vintage collectibles from his astounding collection of over 3,000 pieces!



* On the opposite side of the room, we loaded on old corner cupboard with the various delights that Bruce Elsass brought with him, all the way from Connecticut! Here stands one of his latest vintage-inspired Halloween figures from his product line, destined for the mass retail market.



* In the dining room, Mom had harvest tables and sideboards filled with edible delights. In this space, she also filled a corner cupboard with some of the items from her own Halloween collection. Can you spot some of my reproductions?



* In the kitchen, an antique tray of mom's homemade cookies beckoned guests to enjoy a sweet or two or three! The recipes will be included in AUTUMN with Matthew Mead Magazine...



So, would you like to see and read lots more about this memorable day? Then, order your copy of AUTUMN with Matthew Mead Magazine!
Oh, and bring it to one my upcoming Halloween shows, and I will sign your copy too :)

Happy Haunting,
~ Johanna

Clowning Around...

The sweetest treasure arrived on my doorstep the other day. Inside was a dear note of thanks for creating the art that I make along with a vintage German jack-o'-lantern donning a clown's mask! Oh what a delight to receive such a special gift... (thank you Elaine!) I set this fun little character on my drawing board and decided to find the perfect spot for him when the timing was just right.....



After a few long days in the workshop sculpting papier mache characters for this year's Halloween, it's a good idea (in theory) to take a little break here and there. Early last evening, I stepped away from the papier mache to join JP for a little happy hour in the kitchen....



Together, we enjoyed a strawberry sangria, and soon he was luring me to pause a bit for a little photo session. Ok Ok.... those sculptures can wait, right? And, oh yes, I remembered that I wanted to photograph my vintage gift!



Suddenly, it was quite clear that my little jack-o'-lantern was going to fit right in with my colorful vintage pottery collection that resides in our kitchen. I set him on the shelf above our 1940s fridge (Fester) and discovered the perfect home for this spooky fun character! When I'm not in the workshop, I'm often cooking. So, why not bring a little year-round Halloween into this special space.



I arranged him just so, stepped back and voila!



It's as if he was meant to live here! What fun! It's those little acts of kindness that can bring such joy ~ when someone takes notice of what you love and makes the time to send you that special little something to brighten your day..... That's what I am talking about. I wanted to thank ALL of you out there that have sent me little treasures over the years. Whether it's a handmade card, little jewels, a vintage find or something you found in grandma's attic that you thought I would love, THANK YOU! I do love them all  :) I don't always have time to post about each thoughtful goodie, but I do appreciate them so very much...



After finishing my sangria and celebrating this sweet gift, I'm not sure if I was a little misty-eyed or perhaps a little tipsy. But things were looking a bit blurry!  HaHaHa! Just kidding of course ~ this was JP's  attempt at motion blur by setting the camera on a slower shutter speed and zooming out the lens in unison. It's fun to experiment and make a little time for play.

Cheers,
~ Johanna

Meet "Blushing Pumpkina"...

It's the last day of the month which means that the EHAG Emporium is again open with a fresh offering of Halloween folk art from a sampling our artist guild members. This time around, I was able to play along and created a fun and rather different piece for your consideration. "Blushing Pumpkina" is a one of a kind, "mini bust" pumpkin character. She is painted in rich undertones of magenta rouge which naturally made me think that she was a bit blushed! With recessed features, carved for Halloween and protruding cheeks, she is quite the cutie! A gnarling stem rises with a twist and adds height and interest to her look. Blushing Pumpkina (Pump-keen-a) has a pair of wiry vine-like arms painted soft green to match her towering stem. With her left arm raised, you have the option to attach your favorite photo or small card within the prongs of her fingers. And, she comes with the sweet EHAG Emporium tag that I designed as well. Keep scrolling down for a few photos, and thank you for your interest!


* A pair of orange and black strands of wispy whimsy threads trim her neckline and add softness. A jack-o-lantern painted pendant smiles back at Blushing Pumpkina and marks her sweet heart.

Blushing Pumpkina ~ 5.75" tall by 4.5" wide
 $275 plus shipping SOLD

To reserve this piece, please email me at: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com
I may not be available to take your request at the start of the sale, so I thank you for your patience and will return your email as soon as possible.




* She's such a little flirt as she offers a wave to you!


* A simple floral-like pattern of circles and dots repeats itself across the back and decorates this little beauty! She ships with the EHAG Emporium card, signed on the back.


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

A True Halloween Artist Spectacular!...

With August just around the corner, visions of fall and Halloween are haunting our minds! This year's dazzling ad for the 5th Annual Ghoultide Gathering is now being revealed as it hits the stands soon in the fall issue of Art Doll Quarterly Magazine. Perhaps a peek may just entice you to join us on the last day of September and the first day of October in Northville, Michigan for this spooktacular event! I promise that you will be mesmerized by the whimsical displays and works of collectible Halloween art that will be offered by 30 nationally known artisans. There's nothing quite like it, so please join us!


And can you spot my winged contribution to page one of this lovely ad spread?....

 
Page 2 reveals a fun array of one of a kind jack-o'-lanterns, witches, a skelly & rabbit, an ogre, a devil and a spooky frog! Halloween has no limits, and continues to tease our imaginations. The intriguing subject matter, hand-crafted spirit and attention to detail truly make this an event all of its own.



Please visit The Ghoultide Gathering online for a peek at ALL of the participating artisans who will be sharing their wares with you!


Here's hoping these fanciful images of Halloween will haunt you into joining us!

See you there!
~ Johanna

30+ Years Ago....

With just 4 short years under my belt, Sesame Street was the center of my world. That with a budding imagination, drawing paper, crayons and markers gifted from my parents, I was already expressing my love for drawing and art. The year was 1981, and mom obviously was aware of my artistic expression. She subscribed to Sesame Street Magazine for me, and spotted a children's drawing contest. A child's interpretation of a classroom setting was requested to all those blooming artists, and mom must have asked me to fill in the blanks. My recollection of this assignment is quite blurry, but clearly mom had a vision. Not long after, we were celebrating my first published art work! Ever since, I have been on an artistic spree, sharing my work on a public level. A few years later, I would see my childhood illustrations on the Disney Channel, and I also won a drawing contest with Pentel where my hot air balloon art traveled all the way around the world. My youth was dappled in art, art projects and entries into contests and the like. I remember seeing my Strawberry Shortcake caricatures hanging in an art exhibit at my favorite shopping mall, and it seems I was the Go-To artist whenever a class project required a graphic. So, it's not surprising that I have stayed on course along a path in the arts. This fall, I have some exciting features coming out in a handful of magazines that I look forward to sharing with you soon! So, I keep rolling along, and fortunately my creativity continues to flow with many blessings to follow.

I thought you might enjoy a peek at where it all began......  ENJOY!
(Thanks mom for your encouragement and keen vision! You were on to something!!)

~ Johanna



* Wow, 1981!...... Feels so long ago...
(Oh, Bigbird..I loved you so much!!!...........)



* I was only 4 when I drew this and had not started any form of school yet. Somewhere in my few short years of life, I must have observed that teachers stood at the head of the class, and students sat at desks that had 4 legs. I find it funny that the kids are facing the wrong direction! hehe.... Mom tells me that I was drawing stick figures with 5 fingers at the age of 3. Even then I was paying attention to detail....

Garden Curiosities...

A splash of vibrant hues and variegated textures are displaying their glory in our perennial garden this month. The rains have been heavy, heavier than what I am used to it seems, and this has created an overflowing effect where plants span and sprawl beyond the borders I had only hoped to set for them, spilling over onto each other and beyond. With intense rain comes life of all sorts including weeds as well. But even those ambitious pests have their own beauty and charm behind the lens of a camera. Before yet another boomer hit our garden, I ran out back to snap a few macro shots as the ominous clouds swirled overhead. The overcast skies often create the ideal lighting scenario for nature photography. And so I hurried from plant to plant until the rain drops were too large to bear. So, enjoy this photo diary of garden curiosities that capture my imagination and fill me with wonder and often awe and delight......

~ Johanna



A ladybug perches on the bud of a dandelion and seems to be enjoying a meal of clustered woolly aphids....



The iridescent cool purples and blues of the Native Larkspur are just magical....



I always enjoy these sweet little blooms, but have long lost the name of this delicate plant. If you can recall what this 1 inch blooming gem is called, I would love to know....



Another view of this mystery bloomer. I love how my lens creates a soft, painterly bursting effect with the surrounding background plants...



A bumble bee burrows its head into the delicate blooms of a Lamb's Ear plant...



A Bachelor Button bloom peers out of a sea of soft green....



Rose Campion blooms on silvery green foliage certainly pop and add bits of vibrant color to the garden landscape....



In the distance, a towering burst of magenta clematis has made its majestic ascent atop a column of rusty remesh for quite a delightful show-stopper....



I spotted this chartreuse grasshopper clinging to the leaf of a Coneflower plant and just swaying in the breeze....



Spent poppy seed heads still attract my eye with their unique shapes, colors and patterns...



Looking down upon the tippy-top of a Red Hot Poker for a different perspective...



The teardrop-shaped buds of a climbing Clematis are close to unfurling....



Again,  I am attracted to the painterly effect that this lens captures...



One Purple Coneflower proudly stands amongst a slew of buds soon to follow...



Even the bane of my gardening trials expresses its own delicate beauty as it coils and chokes a neighboring plant. Morning Glory "Bindweed" is ever-present and ever-persistent in my Colorado garden....



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

Door Prize Winners x's 3!...

I just wanted to thank ALL of you who expressed an interest in my new Zazzle Shop during these first 3 weeks of my Grand Opening! Your sweet comments regarding my new line of goods have been a joy to read.  So, my Door Prize Giveaway has now closed, and we just drew the winners. It always makes me nervous as I want EVERYONE to win. Alas, only 3 were plucked from a bowl full of orange slips of paper. Then, it was the majority plucked out of 3 tries for first place, and so on and so on. So, let's not wait any longer.....

1st Prize ("Boozazzle" Ghost bust original )goes to:   
Lory in San Carlos, CA

2nd Prize ( Limited edition Nut Cups ) goes to:
Jody in Brea, CA

3rd Prize ( Pair of Halloween cones ) goes to:  
Julie in Maple Grove, MN

Congrats to this trio of winners & thanks for playing along :)

Since Zazzle only shares with me your first name and location info, I do not have a way to contact you. If you could each please forward your order confirmation from Zazzle to me, that will be a perfect form of verification. Or hey, better yet, I'd love to see a photo of you and your JPD Zazzle goods! Whatever works :)  Thank you and congrats once again! 

Again, many THANKS to ALL of you who stopped in and collected something special from my Zazzle Shop! I so appreciate it, and I hope you are enjoying the goods. May they bring you many smiles for years to come!


* Quick photo add! After we drew the 3 winners we tossed all the slips of paper entries over Jack, and realized that we needed to snap a quick pic :)

xoxoxo,
~ Johanna

Mouse Tales...

Well, I did it! I stepped outside of my black cat, owl and bat box to try my hand at a mouse! After several nudges and a number of suggestions from my collector friends, I thought it was time to give mouse-making a try. I must admit, my first attempt at a pointy-nosed whimsical rodent occurred last winter, and I failed miserably. I was trying to make a teeny weeny mouse ornament, and it ended up as a pile of papier mache mush in my anxious hands! Luckily, I had more patience this time around, and I think "Jerry Juggler," my first official mouse, turned out quite swell. See for yourself by visiting his eBay Auction page. I will include a few teaser pics below, but there are lots more images along with descriptions once you visit Jerry's listing. He's up for bids for 7 Days this time, so keep that in mind. His auction ends on Sunday, July 10th at 10pm EST, so save the date. Good luck and many thanks to any and all of you who offer us a bid :)

Thank you,
~ Johanna



* I think this photo really captures Jerry's flirtatious side!



* Another sweet little frolicking mouse is painted on his spherical base and depicts a whimsical juggling scene..... Cute as a mouse!



* The stage curtains are pulled to reveal this jovial scene, and they wrap all the way around this unique piece....



* A peek at the underside reveals that Jerry Juggler is indeed my first mouse! I'm hoping to create a few more mice in various forms before Halloween ~ mouse tails are crossed!

OH ~ and check out The Haunted World of Bumble Bindlegrim! Looks like my mouse has inspired him, and I'm in good company.... Take a peek at all the Halloween eye candy....

Design & photography, © 2011 Johanna Parker Design, LLC ~ Images may not be used without permission.

Hats on Hand.....

It's that time of year again where my focus narrows in on this year's Halloween! The party hat illustration that I began a few months back resurfaced, and I refined it for print. I sized them up and down to various dimensions and just printed a batch. Saturday was spent with my hot glue gun in hand, and the tedious process of forming and creating these little marvels for my various folk art characters to wear, soon followed. I find pleasure in setting them all about and marveling at their various shapes and details once they are complete. Next, I will adorn each one with my signature wire swirls and chenille twists so they will be ready to be worn! OH, and I still have to create the sculpted folk art characters that will don these conical hats. Eeek! But for now, I had a little fun posing them on our bedroom dresser as the hues complement one another. Stay tuned this fall for the final look, when my illustrated hats will be worn by spooky-fun black cats, owls, witches and bats... and perhaps a few more. And so you see, I do have "Hats on Hand"......   :)  Curious what else I have been up to? Keep reading......



* Illustrated party hats, ready for their final touches, strike a pose and express themselves on my lanky fingers.....



* Various heights of hats in lines and stacks will be chosen for a variety of folk art characters for this year's Halloween collection of originals...



* My first "lumina jack" illustration graces the front face of this year's hat! I hope to design one more hat for this season, but perhaps I should have my fingers crossed...



* Yet another view of these delightful party hats stand tall on the bedroom dresser I painted many years ago in Halloween hues. (It's always been in my blood!)

On another note, did you happen to see the "Collector's Catch" blog badge image, here up top on my right sidebar? Well, instead of occasionally creating a blog post for the current Collector's Catch, I thought it may be more fun to just update my blog's sidebar when I have a new piece to offer.Yes, it's very spontaneous, and that's the point... You can either check here, or check my Folk Art Originals page of my website for these often rare sightings, when I have a piece available. The latest Collector's Catch, "Corndaisy Webster" was snatched by a Florida collector! (Thank you!)

Also, a lucky, "Lucky List" member said yes to "Lucky Lester" a few days back, and now he's off to Oregon to join a growing collection of JPD originals! (another Thank you goes out to you!) For those of you curious about my Lucky List, please click HERE!

I hope to spend the next week thoroughly focused on sculpting one of a kind delights for this year's fall shows, occasional Collector's Catch pieces, a few eBay goodies and beyond. So, keep checking my blog for updates.

**OH, and please don't forget that you have ONE week left to enter to win an original Ghost bust character of mine during my Zazzle Shop's Grand Opening! The prizes include 2 other collectible delights as well, so please visit the post below for the details..... Halloween is just around the corner, so snatch a sweet illustrated tote bag, T-shirt, coffee mug, etc.... ALL designed by me, for a chance to WIN!

Many Thanks for your interest & support,
~ Johanna


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

Grand Opening @ Zazzle + Door Prizes!....

HOORAY! Finally the day is here and the doors are now open at my Zazzle Shop!  Zazzle is a unique, online marketplace that allows me to add my illustrative images to a VARIETY of goods and then offer them in a customizable way to you. SEE the examples below featuring just one of my images & how it can be applied to various shirts! These are just a few examples out of whole slew of products to choose from. And as a Gift of Thanks for your patience and support, I am offering 3 Door Prizes to my patrons! To celebrate the first 3 weeks of my Grand Opening, I will be tossing your names into a hat. For every $25 you spend (before shipping fees) your name will be entered for a Door Prize. For example, if you spend $75 in my Zazzle shop during these first 3 weeks, your name will be entered 3 times! At 11pm EST on July 6th, this contest ends, and I will be drawing the winners! The winners' names will then be posted here on my blog! What's there to win you ask? Just keep reading, and please scroll down for my Tips on ordering my products on Zazzle. Make sure you save and bookmark the JohannaParkerDesign Zazzle Shop and visit often. THANK YOU!




Yes, you're right! That's me flaunting my new Zazzle chandelier owl shirt! In surround, are a handful of styles you can choose from for the same design, and when you go to my shop, you'll see even more! For a peek at a recent At Home photo shoot, you can see JP and myself modeling a couple other designs of mine. Visit my "Gearing up for Zazzle" blog post.


.... And here's a collage of various products that you can choose to place my art on! This is just a small sampling of the items available on Zazzle!


Now for those PRIZES.........




1st Prize: 
Dear Patrons, You could WIN this ORIGINAL Mini Ghost Bust named "Boozazzle!" 
He is signed by me and dated, 1/1... and I just finished this little sweetie. 
Again, every time you spend $25 (before shipping fees) in my Zazzle Shop, you will be entered to win this unique guy along with the other prizes listed below!



2nd Prize: 
WIN this pair of VERY LIMITED Nut Cups that I designed for Bethany Lowe Designs. As cute as they were, they never made last year's catalog, and only 70 of each were made. So, the winner of this prize will win a pair of collectible Nut Cups, marked 1/70, on the underside of each.



3rd Prize:
Straight from this year's product line of via Bethany Lowe Designs are these 2 illustrated cardboard cone hangers that I designed for Halloween.

Remember, this Giveaway ends on July 6 at 11pm EST when the winning entries will be drawn. Please check back in July for the list of lucky winners and THANK YOU for celebrating my Grand Opening by shopping at my new Zazzle Shop and spreading the word to your family and friends!

* Tips when Shopping on Zazzle.........

PLEASE READ: 

Now that I have had a few chances to order and purchase some of my items via Zazzle, I have learned a few tips that I would like to pass on to you!

First of all, please be aware that you can "Choose your style and color" on any of my products. For example, if you see an image that you like, preferably on a different style of shirt, just choose another shirt! This option appears once you have clicked on any product. To the right of the product, you will see several thumbnail images displaying a variety of options for the particular illustration you have chosen! Take notice that many products come in a variety of colors too. If you want something other than white, I recommend choosing a lighter hue so that my images show nicely on your product. Click and preview your top faves and click "Done" once you are satisfied. And do take note that the price will fluctuate depending on the type of shirt, type of keychain, etc etc....

For the advanced user, you can also choose the orange "Customize It" button on any of my items! Under this option, you can resize and position the image. The magnifying glasses allow you to enlarge or reduce the image, but be careful not to enlarge the image too much as it will be cropped off at the edges. Also, the four arrows allow you to move the image up or down and side to side to your desired placement. Once all is looking right, PLEASE click on the "Design" Button right above the image and then click the magnifiying glass that sits to the right of the "Design" button. If the graphic stays within the dashed boundaries and no clipping is occurring, ALL is well! But, if you see that part of the text or graphic have disappeared, then resize it or move it appropriately so that this is not an issue. Otherwise, it WILL print that way ~ trust me! And for apparel items, you can click on the "Model" button above the image to see how it looks on a model! Now, if ALL of this seems too complicated, don't click the "Customize It" button to alter the image! You can certainly leave it as is, and you should be pleased with the results.

Also, when ordering apparel, please scroll down and read Zazzle's sizing guidelines for each style of clothing. You'll notice that they offer NOTES on some of the items and may recommend that you order one or two sizes larger depending on the specific shirt, etc..... If you do receive an item that is not sized appropriately, etc... Zazzle has been very accommodating in replacing items until the customer is satisfied.

And to simplify your shopping experience, I have organized my products into Store Categories. The row of folders going across the top of my shop help to guide you to specific products. Use the left and right arrrows to view all of the folders, and do take advantage of this feature in case you get a little lost as you scroll down the main page of products.

Again, if you see an image that's not offered on a hoodie or perhaps as an infant's creeper, you can simply create what you want by clicking on they varying options in the "Choose your style and size" area. Fortunately, Zazzle offers you a preview of how each product will look! And if you have any troubles, please feel free to contact me or the Zazzle Team! Also, If you have any recommendations for illustrations not being offered on certain items, again let me know! I can certainly take note of your requests and update my shop as soon as possible with your favored suggestions. Thank you for your support!
Spread the word and tell your friends that Johanna Parker Design now has a Zazzle Shop!

~ Thank you & have FUN shopping! ~
( And check back often for NEW items! )

~ Johanna :)

A Collector's Spring Inspirations...

Tucked away in my mailbox last week was an overstuffed envelope from a dear collector who lives locally in town. She has been supporting my creative endeavors since I first started showing my wares at outdoor flea markets 6+ years ago! I believe Karen Z. discovered me at Denver's Ballpark Market, which I believe is a thing of the past these days. My whimsical holiday characters lit a spark in her collective passions, and she has been acquiring a piece here and several pieces there ever since. Before she put her "Johanna Parker Spring" collection away this year, she snapped a few photos and mailed them to me! What a treat :) I thought I would share them with you..... Enjoy, and thank you Karen for your thoughtfulness and for believing in me! It's always a pleasure to see how my collector friends display their cherished collectibles in their personal spaces....

~ Johanna



* Here, Karen has my Spring characters grouped in front of a mirror for a magnified view. (Great idea!) She has included a pair of my illustrated spring party hats that complete the spring family.



* These few original spring characters take me way back! The sunflower girl and large spring chick were some of my first spring creations, and I believe the little spring egg cup was one of my first from this series of cup characters....



* You may recognize this sweet pair from my Spring Gallery page...... They are some of the few spring originals that I have created over the last few years..... I admit, I took this year off from creating spring as time just flew by. Perhaps next year I will release a few more one of a kinds.....



* Another close-up reveals a spring chick candy dish design that I licensed to Bethany Lowe Designs a few years ago. This piece is now retired, but it looks like Karen snatched one up at one of the last Spring Flings!


Spring Designs © Johanna Parker Design ~ Photographs courtesy of Karen Z.

Welcoming 40 West Arts District!...

I want to share a fun bit of exciting news that's close to home! It is looking quite favorable that a revitalizing Arts District is coming to town, and it's literally moving in to our neck of the woods! You can imagine my excitement as an artist. We live in an eclectic area filled with history, and our neighborhood borders Colfax Avenue, the original corridor that stretches from Denver, west to the mountains. It was the main artery for travelers heading west to the hills, and so you can imagine the history that dots its path, even today. Of course, with age comes wear, and many of the old motels, businesses and warehouses that still stand along this stretch are in need of repair. But, I have a feeling... that is about to change! With RMCAD (the Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design) as a centralized anchor, and the new Light Rail station soon to be built close by, a need for connectivity and pedestrian-friendly zones is surfacing. The neighboring art college brings a creative spirit to the atmosphere, and suddenly there is a desire for change, rebirth and renewal.........



JP and myself are now members of the "Champions of the Arts District" board, and have begun meeting with a group of locals, passionate about pulling this concept out of our heads and into our community! With the creative help from a team of art students at RMCAD, an official name and logo were created to represent this district. Last night, 40 West Arts District was unveiled, and for those of you unfamiliar, our famous Colfax Avenue is also known as US Highway 40. We agreed that the name 40 West creates both a sense of place and also has a catchy ring to it! Thanks goes out to those clever art students who envisioned this concept and brought it to life....



The next step is to raise enough money to file for a non-profit status so that we can continue to collect donations and of course be a legitimate district. Last night, RMCAD hosted an Open House & Garden Party to announce the new name and to raise both awareness and excitement for this new venture! We were blessed with a lovely warm evening and a generous crowd of supporters..... Yay!



* For those of you interested in supporting our vision, we are asking for a donation of $40 for 40 West. In return, you will receive recognition on the 40 West website and advance notice of future events!

* If you feel inclined to give more, you can Join the Founding 40 for $500 and receive a profile on our website and invitations to Founding 40 events!  Of course, any amount, big or small is welcome, and your checks can be made out to 40 West Arts.

Please mail your donations to:

40 West Arts
c/o Lakewood-West Colfax 
Business Improvement Association
7125 W. Colfax Avenue, Lakewood, CO 80214



We met all sorts of local supporters excited for this effort, but of course, the news is still young and the word needs to spread. So, please tell your friends and neighbors about 40 West!



The vision for 40 West extends beyond the artist studio and gallery scene to include music, performance and dance along with an appreciation for traditional crafts and the like. The hope is to unite and enrich the community through creativity and allow this cultural spirit to reshape our region.



The unique history of this area allows for an opportunity to re-purpose existing structures into student housing, galleries, shops, eateries and studio spaces, breathing new life into some of our delapidated 50s-era motels and other buildings in need of a lift. Several parks that border this community will help to connect this Arts District through an arts walk loop, welcoming visitors to walk the trail and experience the art in the park and all the other destinations along the way.  Can you SEE it!.....  Are you EXCITED?



RMCAD and the City of Lakewood, were kind enough to invite me to show one of my works in their Shore Gallery during Inspire Arts Week. So, my "Owlbert Finestein" base chamber vase has been on display all week and greeted guests during last night's Open House event.



I had a chance to peek at him behind his glass box, and it was a fun opportunity for my local peers and supporters to see the style of art that I create. I think many were quite surprised!

Thank you for taking the time to scroll through this post and read about the vision for 40 West Arts District! I am obviously very excited for this effort and hope to see it manifest in our community. Perhaps someday I will have a studio space or store front close to home... Who knows, but the thought of living so near a creative, art-loving community gives me goosebumps, and I hope we can see this through! I appreciate your support and interest via word of mouth and donations of time, talent and funds. Keep the vision alive :)

~ Johanna