The Keeper of Turquoise Heights...

Yesterday afternoon, JP and I stopped in to visit 40 West Gallery's current "Recycled Art & Vivid Color" Exhibition. What a fun show! I spotted my 2nd one of a kind owl Artscape proudly displaying an Award of Excellence too. So, I had JP snap a quick photo of me with my featured piece, "The Keeper of Turquoise Heights." The exhibit will hang for another couple weeks, so those of you in the area should swing by 1560 Teller Street in Lakewood to see it! You can also catch a show at the adjoining EDGE Theater! For those of you interested in my new series of Artscapes, this unique, dimensional framed owl is $825 plus shipping. Scroll down for more images. Thanks for peeking....



* It was hot & sunny afternoon; hence, the cut-offs and tank top were my attire of choice. We were out and about, scouting potential property spots along Colfax Avenue to paint murals. We are looking for muralists in case you know of any artists who would like to showcase their art along high traffic areas and enhance our emerging 40 West Arts District!...

Anyway, back to my Artscape.....



* Meet: "The Keeper of Turquoise Heights" $825 plus shipping...
(BTW, those are JP's hands..... not mine :)

The photos do not do this piece justice, but I promise you that it is pretty special! And, this Artscape is surrounded by a mid-century frame that JP modified. So, we met the challenge of bringing recycled elements and vivid color together.



* I painted this piece using vintage hues consisting of turquoise blue, orange, terracotta, magenta, plum, gold and cream.....



* But, much of the detail occurs during the sculpting process where I add layer upon layer of textural depth via my papier mache. Some areas, painted in rich undertones, recede to add more depth and pattern. The carved branches, along with the owls eyes, beak, belly, wings and ears protrude beyond the base artscape to add more interest. His wiry feet also project beyond the dimensional branch that he perches upon. And indeed, he is "The Keeper of Turquoise Heights."
Framed Artscape: 12.5" wide by 14.5" tall.



 * If you are interested in hanging this unique Artscape in your home, please EMAIL ME....

Hoot Hoot!
~ Johanna

Smiles to Dad!...

Cheers to my Dad who loves to clown around! We love you for your comic relief, and enjoyed the past few days together sharing laughs and smiles. Hugs to you and all those fun-loving fathers out there!

Love,
~ Johanna

Sneak Peeks from the Show...

I thought I would share a few images from my display at last weekend's Everything Recycled Art Market. Many thanks goes out to those of you that came out to see us in that dusty old warehouse! Hehe! As it was a 1st of it's kind show here in the Denver area, some fine-tuning is in order to enhance the shopping experience in the future. We appreciate those of you that joined us. Now, let's get to the photos.... For this event, I only brought my one of a kind, handmade creations and filled in with my latest, illustrated notepads. Enjoy!

Cheers,
~ Johanna



* The midpoint of my main table was marked with a trio of one of a kind cat busts. Each has already sold. I brought along an old lamp from our kitchen to light my display. Notice the upside-down metal mop bucket holster that serves as a lampshade? As I was digging through my old vintage fabrics, I came across the adorable apron that I used as a mock curtain to tie the whole scene together! I love recycling old vintage goods!



* An old green metal watering can served as a cheerful backdrop to display a pair of one of a kind owl magnets...



* A super large yellow-hued tin can made for another great opportunity to show off the uniqueness of each owl character that JP and I made...



* For many, it was difficult to choose which owl to pluck from the display as they were all so different and fun!



* An old white shelf housed a small collection of my one of a kind, button-covered originals.



* An old fruitcake tin was the perfect container to both house my new notepads and display a few more magnets...



 * My favorite piece from my recycled art collection is "Nellie Button Belly" the perched owl. She's my first turquoise-hued owl, and the antique buttons on her belly make for a fun, vintage stylized look. I gave her a hefty pricetag as I am partial to this piece, and she was a lot of work. She's still in my possession, but eventually I may release her. Twist my arm..... :)



* Hoot Hoot!  Thanks for checking in and happy treasure hunting!........

 

This Weekend - Something Old is New Again!

Hello Friends! It's almost 1 o'clock in the morning, and I have just two more days to prepare for this weekend's 1st Annual Everything Recycled Art Market here in Lakewood, Colorado. Fortunately, this fun show is just minutes from home within the emerging 40 West Arts District. So, I don't have to worry about gathering ALL the props and things I may need quite yet. That's a relief since I am still finishing up my collection of originals! I took photos this evening of my one of a kind sculptures along with my illustrated art pressed magnets. I have many of those yet to complete, so wish me luck! Long story short - I have been working super long days and getting little sleep to prepare for this show that I spontaneously decided to participate in last month. I hope you join us this Saturday & Sunday! Please see my blog post below for the "Where" & the "When." Admission is $5 which includes live music and 25+ artisan vendors along with recycled crafting stations for kids. Come on out!!!

For now, here' a sneak peek at what I will be offering....... ENJOY!

~ Johanna



* I'm loving how this turquoise & cream-hued owl sculpture came to life with his vintage button-covered belly!



* Assemblage of over 30 one of a kind art owl magnets is underway! JP is drilling and fitting each with 2 backside magnets. It's a step-by-step process indeed!



* Just a few owl magnets peer back with their vintage button eyes...



* My collection would not be complete without a few cats!



* And, finally, I made some standing buttonbirds that will be up for adoption too!



* This standing buttonbird crow is reminiscent of my favorite holiday!



* A jolly jester mouse sports some vintage buttons too!



* I kinda think this owl displays hints of steampunk style....

DETAILS about this weekend's show are below! See you soon!

Everything Recycled Art Market!

We are exhibiting in a new Denver-area Show, and it's just 3 weeks away! So, next month, please join us at the . . .

* DETAILS *

Anyone who has been in our house knows how much I love to decorate with old vintage elements. And, the folk art sculptures that I create are fellow companions to this eclectic style that is often inspired by cast-offs from the past. So, when I heard that the Everything Recycled Art Market was coming to our neighborhood, in the emerging 40 West Arts District, I was certainly intrigued! After much consideration, I am up for the challenge and have decided to exhibit! With less than 3 weeks to prepare, I will be one busy artist, crafting away in my workshop! The art created and offered at this new show must include recycled elements, so I will be sifting through my stash of old buttons, rusty bits and fabric scraps to create a fresh collection of originals from recycled parts and papier mache. On the list to make and bring are button covered standing birds, owls, character busts and pressed illustration art magnets. We'll see what else I come up with between now and then! I will also bring my new collection of whimsitive summer notepads. So, swing by, say hi and marvel at the imaginative designs that myself and other artistans will be offering. We will be located in the big A&E Fine Woodworking warehouse, just north of Colfax Avenue & off of Teller Street in North Lakewood. And, the fun doesn't end there.....

On display, just steps away in the 40 West Gallery will be the annual INSPIRE Art Exhibition. This time, the theme is RECYCLED ART & VIVID COLOR! With any luck, I will have a dimensional owl Artscape piece hanging and available for purchase at this exhibit too. And if you time it just right, you will catch 40 West's Trash Fashion Show!  Here's the rundown for a weekend full of creative inspiration:

* Everything Recycled Art Market *

{ We'll be HERE! )

Saturday, June 8th: 10am - 6pm

Sunday, June 9th: 10am - 4pm

7175 W. 16th Place, Lakewood, Colorado 80214

Stay for Lunch or Dinner as Food Vendor/s will be offering their eats!

Trash Fashion Show

Saturday, June 8th: 1pm ($5 donation admission)

On the EDGE Theater Stage @

1560 Teller Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80214

40 West INSPIRE Art Exhibition: 

RECYCLED ART & VIVID COLOR

Saturday, June 8th: 12pm - 4pm

Sunday, June 9th: 12pm - 4pm

40 West Gallery @

1560 Teller Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80214

For more information, please visit 40 West Art's INSPIRE page!

We look forward to seeing you soon!

~ Johanna & JP ~

Flower Power Web Sale!

I don't know about you, but this year, Spring has been so very slow here in Colorado! Temps are finally warming up after several bouts of late season snow and chilly cold snaps! We ALL have had severe spring fever, but thankfully, the grass is greening, the clover is emerging and some perennials are starting to bloom! During our weather woes, I had the idea to create a flower themed collection of originals to celebrate the commencement of May. As the thought evolved, a new concept blossomed so to speak, and I designed a handful of ball character "Flower Keepers" that double as small vases for delicate floral bouquets. Each is inserted with a polymer vial that can hold water and keep your cut flowers fresh! And, each Flower Keeper includes a decorated cork topper! Fortunately, my experiment was a success, and these pieces came to life in my studio while the flowers began to bloom outdoors. I spent the weekend picking little posies, arranging them and snapping photo vignettes of these sweeties. As dear as they are in our cottage home, I will be offering them this Wednesday evening on my website. In addition to the Flower Keepers, an original trio of my butterfly egg cup characters are back by popular demand! In all, I will have a small collection of 7 originals to offer, so please visit my Folk Art Originals page on Wednesday evening! You are welcome to Join my Mailing List for more specifics regarding the sale.  Thank you for your interest!

Happy Spring!

~ Johanna

* Save the Date!

* A peek at 2 of the 4 Flower Keepers, each displaying their floral panache atop my kitchen shelf...

* Hearts are a'flutter! This trio of butterfly egg cup characters just landed...

* See you on Wednesday for more delightful flower empowering creations!

Happy Mother's Day!

Here's wishing my dear Mother and all the moms out there, a very lovely Mother's Day! When May rolls in, our hearts draw closer to those that are so dear, those that have nurtured us and inspired us to look within and find ourselves. I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for the creative spirit that my mother ignited in me! It is a pleasure to create such whimsical folk art on a daily basis, and I know that my mom's artistic touch and encouragement ushered me along this creative path that I do so enjoy.
As always, Thank You!

Love,
~ Johanna




*  Pictured above is an original "Flower Keeper" - a new concept debuting in May! These collectible ball characters can be filled with water to keep your delicate bouquets fresh. Stay tuned for my "Flower Power" Web Sale, debuting this coming week on my Folk Art Originals page. Join my Mailing List for more details.

 

Flower Power Works in Progress....

April showers bring May flowers, and lots of color too! Visions of vivid blossoms and vintage green hues have me in a floral forward mood. As a result, a small collection of originals are blooming in my workshop! I have designed a new series of cork topped "Flower Keepers." Playing off of my classic ball character, these special sculpts have an inner vial that can hold fresh water. Simply pop the chapeau-style cork, fill with water and add a delicate bouquet of garden grown delights. I am anxious to paint these pretties and see them come to life! And back by popular demand, I have also made a handful of butterfly egg cup characters that too will be splashed with a painterly floral theme. The full collection will be offered via a Flower Power Web Sale this May! Stay tuned for their release date, and join my Newsletter for all the details!

Ta-Ta for now! I'm off to smell the flowers.......

See you in the garden,
~ Johanna :)



* This little girl anxiously awaits a final sanding and then many coats of pretty paint!



* A view overhead reveals the polymer vial that tunnels down into each piece....



* And this nature-inspired collection would not be complete without a whimsical wide-eyed bird!



* It looks like it's time for paint!



* Butterfly egg cups in the nude are surrounded by their wiry wings...



* The wire wings are such a special and tedious detail. From start to finish, one set takes over an hour to create.... I rarely time myself, but this is what I discovered today! Darn, I wish I could speed up that process a bit.

Stay tuned for my Flower Power Web Sale in May!

Vanished like a Ghost!

Goooooood Evening friends! I know it's about time that I reappear from my vanishing act. The days just fly by, and all of the sudden 4 months of a new year have practically flashed before my eyes! I feel like my art has been fading in and out of existence ~ a sort of push and pull between my creative bliss and a steady involvement in several community volunteer efforts. The tables are soon to turn however, and that means that my workshop table should soon be alive with more papier mache and paints! I really miss it, and look forward to getting papier mache under my nails again ~ I can't believe I just said that :)

This is also the time of year that I design prototypes for my licensees, and the majority of my submissions for 2014 have been created from my illustrations. Hence, my creative time as of late has been at my drafting table and in front of computer screen vs. that messy old workshop of mine. And, so you know that I have not completely faded away, I want to share one of my latest illustrated renderings with you! Speaking of Ghosts, this is my Ghost Genie to be fabricated into a standing figurine and offered through Bethany Lowe Designs next year...



* So many of you have inquired about my ghosts, so finally I will have a collectible reproduction to offer to you!



* Inspired by the movement and flowing curves of this character, I created a composition to frame him. The hope is to apply this fanciful image to various products, such as art in frames, pillows, napkins, plaques, etc... Please leave me a comment if you have more ideas for me!



* And, here is a sneak peek of this ghost's posterior! Rendering his backside is fairly simple: Reverse the image, blend out the faces and front accessories, and voila! It's the profile views that are a bit more challenging to imagine and interpret on paper and screen..... ALSO, those of you that follow me on FACEBOOK were recently asked the silly question: "How you prefer your SPIDERS?" If you missed it, GO take a peek to see the other flat art illustration that I have in the works to add to my collection of 2014 Halloween figures!

I look forward to sharing this final Ghostly character piece with you when it releases next summer! In the meantime, keep an eye out for my latest Halloween figurine coming out this year! For those of you who howl for Owls, you will adore this sweet collectible piece. I just received my samples last week, and they are ever so fun! Look for "Perched Owl on Pumpkin" (not the most exciting name - LOL) coming to a gift shop near you. Or, you can visit my list of online vendors that carry my licensed designs and inquire about this Fall 2013 piece!






* And, as I did with the illustrated ghost rendering above, so I did with this fun owl! He started out as a flat illustration, and after they spun their Halloween magic, the talented manufacturers that work with Bethany Lowe Designs brought him to life!

Hope you enjoyed the sneak peek into my creative character process....

Best Wishes,
~ Johanna

Happy Easter to You!...

Wishing you love and light, with a "spring" in your step and whimsical wings to carry you to your dreams.

xo,
Johanna, JP & Jack



* My first one of a kind butterfly egg cup duo!

A Spring Tussie Mussie for You...

When 2013 commenced, I dusted off two bins full of all the illustrations that I have created over the last ten years. JP reminded me that it was a shame to keep all of those pretties locked up in a box, and that perhaps I should rediscover long-lost works. I enjoyed the process, reminiscing over this and that and marveling over some compositions that never even left my studio. Eventually, I came across a spring cone that I illustrated one decade ago. Excited by the imagery I dreamt up for this sweet design, I was inspired to scan it and remaster it, so to speak. After several hours of touching up my old line art, I pressed print, and Voila! The results are below, and since tomorrow is the first day fo Spring, I am going to share it with you!

We hope this project inspires, excites you for Spring and "eggs-you-on" to CREATE!  Get out your scissors and glue and go digging in your drawers. DOWNLOAD and print this sweet tussie mussie, decorate and fill it with delights! Make one for yourself and one for a friend. In fact, wouldn't it be delightfully fun to hang a treat-filled cone on a neighbor's doorknob or wall-hook, ring the bell and run? And if that sounds too fanciful, I'm sure your kids will play along! Make it fun, and enjoy the process of creating something with your hands amongst family and friends.

Now, promise that you'll send me photos!.... It's all about sharing, so I'm giving you this file. In return, you share your finished photos or perhaps images of you, the crafters creating and/or decorating your cones. Please EMAIL ME your photos for the purpose of sharing or post them on my Facebook page.

Happy Creating!



* Since we did not have any Easter candies on hand, I looked around the house for vintage finds that I could add to my cone. Above, a trio of porcelain roses peer out of a bed of paper grass, serving as a sweet topper for this adorable cone.




* And here's our Gift to You:
Download & ENJOY our Free Printable PDF file to create your very own Spring Cone!



* After I glued my cone, I decided to accent it with two white pipe cleaners and a piece of vintage white lace. I altered their white color by adding a few squirts of pale green and soft brown paint to about 2 tablespoons of water in an old cup. Blending those ingredients with a brush made for a nice wash which I applied to my accessories.



* And the result was a lovely aged chartreuse hue ~ lovely matching textures to adorn my spring cone! Of course, this is just one idea from a myriad to choose from. Get creative and dig through your drawers to see what may surface..... twine, ribbon, string, tinsel, old buttons, felt, pom-poms, rick-rack, fabric scraps and the list goes on!... Have fun!



* Here are just a few ideas for gifts and /or decorative spring displays in your home! I am thinking that  a chocolate bunny would certainly look cute in one of these cones..... What else? Please share.....

We look forward to seeing what you create...

Happy Spring!
~ Johanna

In a Spring Mood!

Hi All!

I have been absent from the blogosphere as there has been a lot going on in my life. The story is a long one, so I will not go into detail. But, let's just say that my focus diverted from my art to a neighborhood open space park. And, my husband and I along with countless neighbors have been moved to protect this wildlife habitat that we all love so dearly from future development. It's interesting as I never considered myself an activist, but motivations can quickly shift when the thought of something so special and rare is under threat. We do feel that our message is being heard, and we are very optimistic that this divide will actually bring all those involved, much closer together.

My workshop lights have been out for days at length, and so I am now trying my best to play catch up! I had hoped to offer a full collection of original spring delights this season, but it's looking more like a small handful will actually be ready by Easter. And of course, Easter is early this year too - Shucks! I am still working on a few ball character bunnies and a couple of egg cup guys. So, if you are interested, please check my Folk Art Originals page from time to time as the majority of these will be spontaneously popping up as Collector's Catch pieces, later this month. You may just Catch something special for Spring!

For now, here is a sneak peek of what I am painting in my workshop. These bunnies are far from complete, but at least they have eyes!! I still need to add their final touches, patina and trims. Thanks for checking in on me....

~ Johanna



* A pair of chocolate-hued bunnies and a vanilla cream rabbit patiently await multiple coats of paint...



* Another view of the same scene.... hehe! Butterflies are this year's spring theme :)

Thanks for Sharing...

Hi friends! It's time to share the fun photos that YOU have been sharing with us this past week! We are so happy that you enjoyed our "Hearty Hat" project, and it has been a joy to see your pictures. It makes us smile, knowing that this project has created so many fun memories for you! Many thanks to all of you that took the time to share your images with us. Remember, HEARTS are here to stay and not just for Valentine's Day. So, if you haven't had a moment to play, we welcome you to Download and PRINT this special project file, have fun and SHARE! I will be adding more of your photos to this post as you submit them! So, it's not too late to join in on the fun :)  For now, in no particular order, I am posting the sweet photos we have received thus far. ENJOY!

xo,
~ Johanna, JP & Jack



" This is my hat project. Bailey would have no part of wearing what he considers a kitty toy on his head, so I found it a safer perch on the sideboard. " ~ Melinda H.

* Melinda placed her Hearty Hat in a wine glass on her sideboard ~ Clever display concept ~ it looks LOVELY!

" I had so much fun sticking this cute little hat on everything and everyone in my house! Myself, my cat, my bunny, my dolls! LOL Thanks again for the holiday fun, Johanna!! ♥ Happy Valentines Day!! " ~ Kym A. 

( WOW ~ JACK HAS A TWIN! ) (:

" Hi Miss Johanna! Here are the pictures of Joey! That was such a cute and sweet idea to share with everyone! It was hard to get a good picture with the hat staying on him :-) Enjoy!!! " ~ Lori K.

" Simon has a Valentine cat hat thanks to Johanna Parker ;) " ~ Amy B.

" Mag's got one too " ~ Amy B.

" Dearest Johanna,

First, Thank you kindly for sharing this PDF of your wonderful artwork. I had so much fun making it! Second, you and your husband are definitely better photographers than my husband and I. And third, Jack is so much more relaxed and cool with a hat on than Cobweb, our cat. (She's about 80 yrs. old in cat years)......

...But alas, we did the best we could and here's the best two. I'm convinced that these would have come out better in the natural daylight, but it was one of those things where I was like, "Honey quick! Get the camera!" Also I laughed so hard throughout the process of trying to take the photos, because Cobweb had no interest in getting her picture taken, and my husband kept calling himself my "cat-hat slave." All in all it was a fun shoot. So Happy Valentine's Day to you and your family! And thank you again for the hat project! " ~ Amber O.

" Dear Johanna - Thanks for the HAT download!!! Tonight I am hosting a "Valentine/ Birthday" party for a neighbor. The HAT download came just in time to print off for my guests. Still so much to do, tho, before 6 p.m. Just wanted to show you the 1st hat, that became a "plant-poke" until I refine my 'rolling' technique! Ha! Ha! Thank-you again my dear for SHARING. " ~ Jude B.

" Your Hat on Sally King Garden Baby - Happy Heart Day! " ~ Laura M.

I invite others to JOIN in and SHARE your photos! EMAIL me your pictures, and I will post them here!

Happy Valentine's Day!...

From our hearts to yours, we wish you a LOVEly Valentine's Day! And once again, Jack reminds us that cats really can wear hats, even if it's just for a few moments :) We were happy to snap this series of photos as Jack fashioned my "Hearty Hat." Keep in mind that you too can be imaginative with this design, as we are sharing this hat with you! Please visit the following blog post below for a link to print this sweet conical stack of hearts! I welcome you to SHARE your project photos with me so that I may share them too! Wishing you many heart-warming moments and smiles....

xoxoxo,
~ Johanna, JP & Jack

A Gift of Love for You!

It's not often that I create Valentine's art, and many hours went into designing this illustrated Hearty Hat that I made for just 6 one of a kind folk art characters. The thought of retiring this hat design, shortly after all of that work seems rather silly. And so, we want to SHARE it with you! A printable PDF file has been created for you to download! Simply print it on card stock or whatever paper you desire, follow the Tips on that page and be imaginative. As many of you know, Jack, our black cat, often models my handmade hats.  Keep an eye out for his Valentine photo shoot, here on the 14th! We invite you to get crafty.... We would LOVE to see your "Hearty Hat" creations and the ways you choose to decorate with them.  Please EMAIL your finished project photos or post them directly on the Johanna Parker Design FACEBOOK page so that we can share them and spread the love. Have FUN and Enjoy!

Much Love,
~ Johanna, JP & Jack




* Download & Print my "Hearty Hat"...



Happy crafting with warm hearts and smiles....

 

Feel the Love ~ Make Your Offer!

Hello Sweethearts!

The month of LOVE is upon us, and I am here to tempt you with this charming owl who may just steal your heart! "Romantic Romeowl" a light-hearted twist on Romeo, stands 9.5" tall. Quite the darling of Valentines, he is hand-sculpted and hand-painted by me, Johanna Parker. He dons a handmade illustrated hat of hearts, trimmed in red glass glitter and a chenille heart tip. And as much as I LOVE him, this admirable owl is up for bids!

Does your heart go pitter-patter when you look into his eyes? Perhaps a hint to your honey will be all you need to make Romeowl your Valentine. Or, maybe it's time to indulge in your passion for owls or your desire for one of a kind folk art.  Whatever the reason may be, treat yourself to this sweet fellow by placing your Best Offer!

Final Best Offer: $850 

Last Updated: 2-8-13, 11:00 am MST

UPDATE:
Many thanks to all of my generous collectors who placed bids of affection for Romantic Romeowl! I am so very grateful to you. Romeowl will soon be taking up residence with Amber in CA, an I feel he is excited to meet her. :) Thank you ALL so very much for your support and LOVE for my one of a kind folk art! As a special gift, I am sharing my Valentine Hearty Hat template for you to print and play with! Click HERE and enjoy! 


About this Blog Auction: 

If you would like a chance at adopting "Romantic Romeowl,"simply EMAIL ME with your Best Offer. What would you (or your honey) be willing to spend in order to adopt this collectible piece?
So, here's the scoop:

- The Starting Bid is $350
- Bidders will remain private
- My blog will update daily to reflect the highest Best Offer
- Numbers on the wheel will be rounded down in increments of 50
- Keep an eye on the wheel by refreshing this page
- Submit best offers once or as many times as you wish during this auction

On Thursday, February 7th at 9:30 pm EST, I will email all the participating bidders with a Last Call, announcing the current high offer. Afterwards, bidders will have until mid-day on February 8th to submit any additional offers. I hope to announce the Winning Offer amount here on my blog by 11am MST on the 8th. So, you have about a week's time to submit your best offer/s. Anyone has a chance to participate if he or she chooses, and bidders can keep track of the approximated offers here on my blog. 

How to Bid :

Please study the various photos below to see if you would like to adopt "Romantic Romeowl."

If he hoots to you, then . . . . . . . 

* EMAIL ME with the amount of your Best Offer (johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com)

* Title your email: "Best Offer - $ ____ "

* Look for a reply / confirmation email that your offer has been received

As you submit your offer/s, you are welcome to identify yourself or remain anonymous.  Send emails from whatever email address you choose as long as I can reach you in the event you are the winner!  I will be accepting offers until 11am MST, February 8th. At that time, I will review the offers and post the pending best offer amount. The winner will be notified and will have 24 hours to respond, identify him or herself and start the process of finalizing the sale. The piece will be offered to the bidder of the next best offer, in the event the top bidder does not to respond.

As for emailing me with your offers, please know that I am grateful for your support and any bids of affection. Best of luck!...... Now, let's get started :)

Up for Offers is "Romantic Romeowl"... 

* At 9.5" tall by over 4" wide, Romeowl Hugs a Heart!...



* He's delicately sculpted to express his stylized feathers...



* With a belly full of love, he perches with his wiry feet on a decorated mound...



* He's a creamy vintage bird fellow painted in undertones of warm gray...



* A heart-shaped glint in each round eye, reveals his love...



* Graduated feathers cascade down his backside...



* He perches atop a decorative mound painted to complement his sweet hat...



* Red glass glitter adds shimmer and magic to his heart-stacked hat...



* Who can resist this charming Valentine?



* He's signed and marked 1/1...
**** The winner may opt to have me paint on a personal message as well,
and that's on me!




* Oh, won't you be My Valentine?

xoxo,
~ Johanna

SnowBeaus!

Hearts are a-flutter in my workshop right now. Yesterday, I finished a handful of "SnowBeaus" which is my new term for whimsical snowmen who don handmade, heart-stacked hats! I will be making them available for purchase from my Folk Art Originals page this Saturday. Mailing List recipients will receive an emailed notice tomorrow with the start time and details. I know it's short notice, but I only have a few. As for "Romantic Romeowl" the Valentine owl ~ well, he is complete as well! He posed for multiple photos yesterday, and he'll be making an appearance on my blog tomorrow. Anxious owl-lovers can peek at him on my Flicker page right now. As much as love him, I will be offering him in a week-long Best Offer Blog Auction right here. So check back for the details to come.

Thank you for your LOVE of my art.....
I truly ADMIRE your AFFECTION for one of a kind folk art!

xo,
~ Johanna

Flirting with Valentine's Designs...

Well, I found my way back to the workshop this past week! My space craved a serious cleaning, so I spent some much needed time clearing counters, organizing and sweeping glass glitter, mica dust, snippets of trims and papier mache remnants from the floor. After I completed the task, I began flirting with the idea to make a collection of characters for Valentine's Day! With the month of February fast approaching, my offerings in this theme will be small but sweet. I started by designing a new heart-themed paper hat, and yes, I made one for Jack, my cat, to wear as well! Yesterday, I completed that set of conical delights, and I know they will be the icing on the characters. And speaking of, I made a handful of heart-warming snowman heads who will don these whimsical fashions. In the mix, I also sculpted a very special standing owl fellow, which I believe I will name "Romantic Romeowl"....(a spin on Romeo)! I hope to have this collection complete by February 1st. Those of you on my mailing list will receive a newsletter announcing these affectionate fellows along with the time when they will be available. So, consider this a little FYI teaser as the sale will happen fairly fast as I hope to ship these guys out so that they arrive close to V-Day! Here's a sneak peek for now ~ Enjoy!

xo,
~ Johanna



* Based off of a rough sketch that I scanned, these hats were created in Adobe Illustrator. It was a fun project, and a great way for me to learn the latest version of this fun software. Here, the hats have been printed with fade resistant & waterproof inks, trimmed and shaped.



* After much manipulation of the heavy card stock paper, I crafted these cones into conical forms and glued them in place. It's a tedious process, as the hot glue cools quickly, and I must line up the graphics on the seam! I am always happy and relieved to complete this step!



* To seal the deal, I added my own sealant to each hat for stabilization and a long-lasting result. Illustrated hats are my thing, and I want them to last...



* A blend of two types of chenille stems in hues of red, mixed with pliers and a loving touch, produced a collection of sweet hearts!



* The delicate hearts serve as fashionable tips for these sweet hats. Now, I just need to paint the characters that will don these lovely things...



* And here is a peek at the faces that await their coats of paint, dustings of mica and red glitter trims.



* And here is a closer glimpse of my "owl in the rough" Romantic Romeowl holding his heart, awaiting his delicate hat and painted hues.

If you are not already a member, please Join my Mailing List to be notified when these one of a kind characters will be available.

HAPPY early VALENTINE'S DAY!

Learning Curve + Style Study...

I know, I know ~ it's been about 20 days since I last blogged! Some of you may be wondering what the heck happened to me. I was starting to wonder that too! Haha! Well, first of all, Happy New Year to you! I decided to start 2013 with a brain blast! For Christmas, JP upgraded all of my Adobe graphic software to the latest versions, and I have been riding the learning curve for several weeks now! I feel as if I am back in school, only this time, I just ask Google or YouTube any questions if I get lost along the way! The internet is something else, isn't it?  So far, the month of January has been an exploration into the graphic design side of my business. These new design tools are amazing! So, when I marry those with my creative eye, the magic happens. Honestly, I have been mesmerized with making my own patterns, tiling those images and applying them to character shapes. OH what fun! Hours go by, and I realize that I have to pull myself away from the screen. To break things up a bit, I have been illustrating the old-fashioned way as well. I have a notepad deadline soon, so I am chipping away at the 'ol list while I squeeze in sessions of learning and experimentation. Later this week, I promise to turn the lights back on in the workshop and mix up a batch of papier mache. But for now, I will stay entranced with my new graphic design tools while time permits. And as I learn and play, I am also studying my style, simplifying it for some graphic / print applications and expanding upon it for others. Below, are just a few peeks at some of the conceptual designs I have created during the last few weeks. My fingers are crossed that the inspiration continues to flow and time allows me to expand and express my portfolio. So far, so good!

Best Wishes to you for a happy, prosperous and creative new year!
~ Johanna



* Here's a graphic design version of my signature black cat along with a jack-o'-lantern friend ~ created in Adobe Illustrator CS6...



* And, here I have applied a colorful twist to that same cat character which offers a fresh way of experiencing this fun fellow ~ created in Adobe Illustrator CS6...

* I added an outline to the jack-o'-lantern character above and floated him over a background of swirling patterns I created in Illustrator...



* The perching owl was illustrated with ink, dyes and colored pencils, then scanned. I illustrated the stylized branch in Adobe Photoshop CS6. The final image will be submitted as a notepad design soon...



* And lastly for now, the wildly patterned owl was one of my first more complex projects in Adobe Illustrator CS6. He served as a great step by step way of challenging myself to understand the pattern-making tools. I am still learning, but I think I kinda get it now!

HOOT HOOT!

Merry Christmas to You!...

Hello & Best Wishes to my friends in Blogland ~ Merry Christmas to you! Admittedly, I almost skipped this year's holiday photo shoot with Jack as this December has been one for the record books! Two days after our stellar 10th Annual Open House & Art Show, JP took his naturalization test and became an American citizen! After knowing him for over 20 years, it all happened so fast that we could barely catch our breath! Shortly after that, we ventured on a spontaneous road trip up and over snowy mountains to Vegas in order to see his dad get married! When we returned, we put our suitcases away along with all the holiday show props and rearranged the entire house! Now, I'm catching up on my books and all that fun year-end stuff that business owners have to do. So, fortunately, I woke up today with that creative impulse to make a felted holiday hat for Jack! And..... after a few shots, VOILA! As usual, he enjoyed the attention and hammed it up for the camera while we laughed and laughed! So, ENJOY and CHEERS to YOU! May you have a Happy Holiday Season, and many many THANKS for your loving support over the years.

xoxo,
~ Johanna, JP & Jack



* Merry Christmas from Mr. Jack donning his new red felted hat!



* What an innocent little fella....... (ya right!)



* Jack looks for Santa....



* Jack ponders what Santa will bring....



* Wish upon a star....



* What a poser!



* Have a purrrrrrrrfect holiday!