Take Our Holiday Tour!...

A big thanks goes out to all of my collector friends who braved the bitter, arctic cold this past weekend and joined us at our 11th Annual Holiday Folk Art Show & Open House! It was a pleasure to see your smiling faces and the delight in your eyes. All feedback was very favorable towards our new arrangement, showcasing all my holiday art in the front living room and redirecting check-out toward our back sunroom. Many mentioned that they enjoyed sipping cider, mingling and munching on treats while they waited for their name to be called. The flow was much improved over last year's bottleneck, and we were pleased that our guests agreed. An extra call out goes to my dear friend Lori for wrapping and sacking my art, non-stop for 2+ hours! Her generosity gave me the chance to chat with so many of you! And, it was an extra treat to have my parents in town who kindly helped us prep for all the festivities! For those that missed this special event, please enjoy my collection of photos from this past weekend's festivities....

ENJOY!...

* That's me, striking a quick pose before we opened on Saturday....

* Here is the cheerful scene upon entering our front door...

* I tucked our dining table up against the window this year and layered it in a wintery scene of whimsical snowmen... The chilly snow on the ground outside cast a bright glow on my displays!

* Here are a few of my latest Juggling Snowmen ornaments, slated to debut next year! I suspended them from a vintage red gramophone horn that will someday serve as a wall sconce in our new vestibule...

* I tucked my holiday notepads into an old primitive planter and surrounded it with visual holiday delights...



* The mantle was a magical scene with my holiday originals twinkling in the sunlight...



* Taking a closer glance, a trio of one of a kind snowmen awaited the arrival of collectors. These three were gone in a flash! (And yes, all of my Christmas originals have sold)



* Here, I snapped a crop of my mantle delights.... I grew up with the vintage red velvet reindeer who always made an appearance at my grandmother's Christmas table... Love them!



* More holiday goods fill a side table and entice shoppers to take a closer look!



* For ease of flow I added a smaller, round table to the center of the room, topped it with a Santa tree and surrounded it with more collectible pretties for the holiday season... Off in the distance, our vintage Duffy's cooler brought a splash of mint green to the scene!



* Atop that old cooler, I had a collection of my Santa rattles and other wintery characters...



* In the corner, my funky mannequin lamp cast a warm glow on a cart of Christmas characters. And speaking of characters, Jack insisted on making a quick photo op before the guests entered!



* An old child's stove in red and white made for a fun prop, and fortunately no snowmen melted during the making of this show :)



* Winter friends stand a-front an old antique mirror and invite us to peer into its reflection...



* Across the room, a vase spray of aluminum tree branches delight the eyes with shiny vintage baubles, framed by my juggling snowmen and bottle brush trees...



* Close by, an old French door displayed more dangling ornaments along with a life size snowman head, inviting friends to explore the kitchen for tasty eats, treats and hot cider!



* We scurried to set the counters with an inviting spread of edible delights!



* I caught a quick pic of mom, arranging the sweets!



* And JP and Lori went over the last few details regarding check-out procedures before we opened!



* Me & my parents rushed to the mantle for a quick picture! We look so calm, but it was only a fleeting moment :)



* Then, Tick-Tock went the clock, and it was 10am! I went outside to welcome those that were braving the cold, anxious to enter our cozy home!



* Shoppers grabbed box trays and rushed in! I think they were ready to warm up as temps were in the single digits outside!! (It's usually NOT this cold in Colorado... sighhhhhh)



* Guests perused the collections, looking for gifts for others as wells as gifts for themselves!



* And, smiles were contagious :)



Thank you again for joining us this year! It is a pleasure for us to open our home to you :) If you missed this year's event, make sure to mark your calendar for the first full weekend in December, 2014! We'll do it all over again, and hopefully by then, we will have our new arched front door, vestibule and other remodeling goals complete! Fingers crossed :) As always, thank you for your support!

Have a Very Merry Christmas Holiday!
xo,
~ Johanna, JP & Jack


Follow along with me on:

   

Join me for my Holiday Blog Sale!

Please join me here, tomorrow evening, for my Holiday Blog Sale! Snowmen & Santas will be the theme, and I will be offering a variety of pairs and sets, all signed by the artist. All items included are my licensed designs, straight from studio and shipped from me to you....

Refresh this page at 7pm MST to see what's in store! Simply EMAIL ME with the name of the set that interests you. Quantities are limited, but I have a small bounty of wintery delights looking for homes this holiday season. (I accept visa, mc, ae, discover & checks)

Best Wishes,

~ Johanna

 

Find & Follow me on:

   

Festive Friends...

With our 11th Annual Holiday Folk Art Show & Open House just 3 days away, I have been in a frenzy to finish this year's collection of one of a kind wintery-themed folk art! Yesterday, I added the final touches to these special pieces, and squeezed in a little photo session to capture their whimsical spirit! For those of you that have asked for a sneak peek, here you go! I'd love to linger longer, but I need to decorate and transform our little cottage into a holiday shoppe!  Enjoy the photos..... And, for those of you that will be joining us, see you soon! And, bundle up!

Best Wishes,
~ Johanna



* My first elves are making an appearance this year! And, I created an elf bell ornament too!



* Of course, the holidays would not be complete without snowmen!



* A parade of holiday egg cup characters are looking cheery and sweet!



* A snow bunny and friends are looking quite festive...



* A trio of shimmery snowmen don my illustrated holiday hats!



* And, a half dozen bell characters are ready to jingle!



* Hoot Hoot, enter the owls too!



* A delightful snowman candy container stands tall and celebrates the season!



* Whimsical winter scenes with snow-covered chalets made an appearance on this holiday cat candy container and her 'lil snow-friend...



* Snow-Cone ornaments, each unique rest within my illustrated cones!



* A pair of sweet bears and a snowman gather together for the holidays...



* And of course, Santas are on their way!

Cheers!


* You can enjoy more behind the scenes photos on my Instagram page. Follow along at:

The Holidays are Marching in!...

With the snap of a finger or perhaps the page turn of a calendar, my workshop has transformed into a scene from Santa's workshop! The only trouble is that the elves are missing! I could certainly use a few right now. I sifted through 10, HUGE boxes of my holiday reproductions, unpacking and inspecting each piece and then pricing and signing them in preparation for our 11th Annual Holiday Folk Art Show & Open House! My, what an ordeal! The last few years, we have sold out of about everything at our holiday event, so I ordered a few extra goodies this year. So, make sure you Save the Dates - December 7th & 8th! Visit my Website for all the details!

Time is of the essence, and I have much yet to accomplish before this special show. So, I will leave you with a few photos of just some of the characters that have invaded my workspace... I think the term "marching in" is appropriate for some of these vignettes! I have many originals yet to paint, but as December draws near, I will offer a few sneak peeks. You'll see that I captured just a few below, but I promise there are more to come! So stay tuned.....

Happy Holidays to you!
~ Johanna



* An army of Santas balance on Christmas packages and raise cane!



* A cluster of prim snowmen, don woolen scarves in a variety of hues...



* A grouping of snowmen, strike a yoga-like pose and juggle snowballs too!



* More prim snowmen, wearing cozy scarves, await the arrival of winter...



* Novelty box snowmen raise their wiry arms and whistle a holiday tune....or so it seems!



* Here's a glimpse at my work bench while I unpacked box after box. In the foreground I am holding a my new Santa ornament. And yes, I ordered more vintage style bottle brush trees with baubles!



* I have also been making holiday hats and cones to adorn some of my original characters...



* And here's a peek at my paint palette with a pair of holiday ornament bells in the works...



* And before the paint is applied, my original sculptures look rather white and in need of a splash of color! This small set is at various stages of completion. I look forward to the day when I can say ALL are complete! (and not just what are pictured here....)



Again, SAVE the DATES! Visit my WEBSITE for more details and make sure to Join my Mailing List for the Invitation and all the details.

* I will be posting snap shots of my progress on Instagram, so Follow along at:


Throughout the month of November,  I will be sharing peeks at last year's Holiday Open House on my Facebook Artist Page, so check often and offer me a LIKE & say HI while you are there!

A Happy Halloween to You!

Wishing you a playful Halloween! Make it frisky and fun.......

Happy Haunting,
~ Johanna, JP & Jack the Black Cat!



* Photo taken in our home.... Jack's at the table wearing his latest Halloween hat and acting a bit mischievous at that! Fire screen & Halloween collectibles across mantel are all one of a kind Johanna Parker Design creations. JOL pillow & woolen pumpkin pin cushion are handmade gifts from mom (Kathy Parker). Illustrated black cat plate by Johanna Parker (me)..... Vintage noisemakers are cherished gifts from dear collector friends..... What fun!

WATCH a quick VIDEO of my Halloween mantel collection on my Instagram page! ENJOY :)

Collector Spotlight: Donna, the Farmer's Wife from Maryland

It is my pleasure to share with you another inspiring Collector Spotlight feature! For the haunting month of October, my collector friend Donna in Maryland has opened her lovely home to us. Her Halloween art collections sprawl throughout her farmhouse, and pair harmoniously with her love for antiques and vintage novelties. Initially, I asked that Donna share 9-15 photos of her collections for this post, and she wowed me with 30! So, we are all in for a real treat! I had the joy of meeting Donna earlier this month at the Halloween Trunk Show here in Denver. Fortunately, her quest from afar, for more Halloween originals was indeed fruitful, and after arranging her new-found treasures with care, she has generously decided to share! I am always tickled to see my creations, happily settled and well-loved in their new homes. Thank you Donna for sharing a glimpse into your art-filled home! I imagine that your love for seasonal folk art will inspire many others to start building special collections of their own. Now, let's get started with a little Q & A and a medley of photos!...




J: How did you learn about my Halloween folk art?

Donna: I found your art looking at pictures of Ghoultide Gathering in 2011. It was love at first sight!

J: Well, I am thrilled that you were perusing photos from the Ghoultide art show and that you spotted my papier mache folk art characters!

* A trio of my Halloween characters: black cat, mouse & raven by Johanna Parker Design share a haunting nook with a Nicol Sayre art doll memory box....

J: How long have you been collecting my originals?

Donna: I bought my first original in 2011 from your Halloween Web Sale, a few weeks after discovering your art.

J: Ahh, yes! I recall you snatching up the jack-o'-lantern egg cup character, pictured below at center on the top shelf! You were so thrilled to capture your first Johanna Parker original, and now he certainly is in good company...


* What a colorful grouping of Johanna Parker Design Halloween folk art characters! It is reminiscent of a spooky carnival and a pleasure to see them all grouped in one place!

J: What is it about my creations that capture your imagination?

Donna: Halloween has always been my favorite Holiday.  I am especially drawn to vintage Halloween items and your originals capture that vintage look.  Just holding one of your originals in my hands is a magical experience for me.  I love how each piece has it's own personality. I love the texture, the artwork and the little embellishments that you add to each piece, such as glitter, bowties, collars and wire.  It all combines to make each piece entrancing and instantly takes me to my "happy place".

J: Thank you for being so observant and appreciating all the little extra details that I add after painting each original piece. It's like the icing on the cake, which takes me to a happy place too!


* Above, my mini bat bust with wire accents and bow tie trims captures some of those fun embellishments that take Donna to her "happy place!" A small Laurie Meseroll primitive painting serves as a sweet backdrop for this Johanna Parker Design bat in the foreground.


* A wider view captures a pair of Nicol Sayre's art dolls, joining the Halloween folk art gathering...


* Another grouping of folk art artifacts includes my striking Halloween owl vase, Johanna Parker Design. You can enjoy the full arrangement below...


* From left to right, cloaked art doll by Nicol Sayre, standing clown button bird by Johanna Parker Design, primitive painting by Laurie Meseroll, owl vase by Johanna Parker Design, ornate clock case with art doll by Nicol Sayre and mohair black cat by Steiff


* Here is a close-up of my clown-style standing button bird. I recently started adding vintage buttons as a fun embellishment to some of my original pieces this year....

J: Where have you had the best luck in acquiring my original pieces; shows, web sales, Collector's Catch, eBay, etc?

Donna: I just attended my first trunk show in Denver, and I lost control of my hands - I bought seven originals!  I was asked numerous times, "How many are you buying?"  LOL  I have an extreme fear of flying, so just showing up was huge for me.  I did not want to waste the opportunity to purchase as many originals as I could, as I may never get my up my nerve to fly again!  I would have to say, your shows are the ultimate buying experience!  I have also had equal success with  Collector's Catch, web sales and eBay.

J: Well, it was quite a treat for me to meet you in person, and I am so honored that you made the journey to collect my art, despite your fear of flying...(I'm not a fan of flying either!) I am happy that your buying experience was fruitful... Your loss of hand control made me laugh out loud!


* Now happily residing in Donna's home, this special witch bust was one of the 7 that she collected earlier this month at Denver's Halloween Trunk Show. "Spookquila Jewel" by Johanna Parker Design


* Donna has an eye for assembling and arranging her antique finds and folk art objects that creates a nostalgic experience and a sense of treasures found!


* An old pewter plate frames a cat ball character that I created earlier this year, again featuring vintage buttons as textural adornments. "Vintage Gerry" by Johanna Parker Design


* A spooky spider bust by Johanna Parker Design also went home with Donna after her trip to Denver! This sweet and rather harmless friend now keeps watch over a "Beloved" Nicol Sayre art doll, eerily laid to rest...


* A black cat kettle cup with illustrated hat, by Johanna Parker Design, makes for an intriguing grouping with other novel, antique finds...

* My Blog Readers may have caught a glimpse of this special piece in the lead-up to this year's Halloween Trunk Show. A few inquired, and well, "Leowl & Lumin-o" now perches in Donna's Maryland farmhouse! Original perching owl by Johanna Parker Design...

J: Do you have a favorite piece in your private collection?

Donna: That is a tough question for me to answer, as I love all my JP originals.  I would have to say that "Morty Moonsquat" is my favorite.  He flew so high, he landed on the moon, quite by accident.  He is a reminder to me to keep myself "grounded".  "Timely Timowlthy" is a very close second.

* At left is "Morty Moonsquat", a special order piece that Donna convinced me that she needed!... According to Donna, I captured him just as she imagined! Yay! And, he pairs nicely with the cat/moon ball character that she collected from me last year... Both Halloween ball characters are by Johanna Parker Design.


* A wider photo of both moon characters reveals a standing bat witch by Nicol Sayre amongst other folk art characters by Johanna Parker Design. A distressed painting by artist, Jennifer Lanne, adds texture and drama to the setting...


* And there's "Timely Timowlthy" my first "Screampunk" piece that I created for a group EHAG Challenge. This whimsical Johanna Parker Design owl, stretched my imagination, and it's a pleasure to see him roosting in his home...


* Pictured above "Timely Timowlthy, are a pair of mohair bears, holding sewing notions in antique tin cups by Letty Worley Brooks

J: Is there anything in particular you suggest I try making in the future?

Donna: I am so happy you asked.  I have several suggestions!  For Halloween I would love to see a zombie or a devil.  For Christmas I think an elf would be delightful.

J: Thanks for the ideas! I have never made any of the 3 you mentioned, but I do have some elves slated for this year's Holiday Open House - well as long as I like how they turn out!


* A closer image of Nicol's bat witch show's her paired with my mini cat bust...


* And, here is another sweet trio of folk art characters. From left to right, a pin cushion mouse by Lori Ann Corelis, a lumina jack-o'-lantern egg cup by Johanna Parker Design, purchased from Frame by Frame, and distressed art doll by Nicol Sayre. Tucked up against a gilded mirror, the viewer can enjoy reflections as well...


* Donna found this early jack-o'-lantern of mine on eBay. He is likely dated 2004 and was created when I was still exploring my technique and deciding IF I wanted to follow along on this folk art path!


* A wonderful standing witch by Nicol Sayre enjoys the company of my leggy spider, by Johanna Parker Design...


* An original owl candy container, again by Johanna Parker Design enjoys the company of a perching bat by Lori Ann Corelis...


* Taking a closer peek at the Johanna Parker Design spider reassures us that he is indeed a friendly fellow... Thank goodness!!!


* A distressed corner cupboard houses three folk art finds. The sweet mohair witch & pumpkin pairing was made by Lori Ann Corelis alongside another owl candy container by Johanna Parker Design. Below, a delicate coffin exposes a sweet Beloved Nicol Sayre doll...


* And, lastly for the Halloween imagery, Donna shared a photo of her table top display, featuring my reproduction candlestick spiders! She explains that she removed the outer two spiders from their candlestick roosts, and they are now hanging from the chandelier above! I love that she is enjoying the versatility of this fun set, and allowing her imagination to play...


* Donna also shared a few other Johanna Parker Design holiday characters! From 2011 & 2012, these two Christmas cross-over pieces bring a hint of Halloween whimsy to her decor. My holiday Bat Sitter and Ghost of Christmas past candy container are both elevated upon pedestals and make us smile!


* Two time-worn books elevate a holly owl kettle cup, appropriately paired with a NOEL egg cup snowman, both by Johanna Parker Design. In the mix are vintage sheep, an old crock and heirloom photos, passed down through the family...


* Two snowmen surround a perching owl, all decked out for the holidays. Again, these originals by Johanna Parker Design partner well together and amidst the antique treasures in Donna's home.


* And, let's not forget about Valentine's Day! During a web sale, Donna snagged this special heart-shaped barn owl piece that I created for the month of love!

* And last but not least, Donna shared a peek at a pair of spring-themed Johanna Parker Design originals. The party-style bird is a much earlier piece that she found on eBay. The white hare kettle cup was included in a collection of originals made for my spring web sale in 2012.

J:  Well, THANK YOU Donna for opening your home and extending an invitation for all of us to marvel at your decor and amazing folk art collections! It is a TREAT for me to share in your enthusiasm for my art, and to better imagine how you enjoy these pieces with each day. I can see why there is a yearning to acquire more than just one, as these collectible characters pair nicely together and group with even more visual impact! Let the collecting begin, or in this case, shall we say, continue... :)

I hope you enjoyed Donna's photos! You can share your thoughts with Donna here in the comments portion of this post. Just click the "comments" link below to leave a message for both me and her!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN & Happy Collecting too!

~ Johanna

Halloween Blog Sale Today!

Happy Halloween to YOU! Speaking of, are you looking to festoon your home in happy-spirited Halloween? Well, take a peek at the following orange & black whimsies from my Bethany Lowe Designs line of Halloween reproductions! Quantities are limited, so please let me know if you would like to adopt some of my spooky fun, licensed designs! All figures are inspected and signed by me! I take all major credit cards and checks. So, EMAIL ME if you want to collect some of my Halloween delights!

THANK YOU!!!!

*This Set includes a Black Cat and an Owl Candy Cone! Remove the heads/lids and fill each cone with treats! They are made of paper pulp & pressed paper. 
Hang from a hook, a chandelier, in a window, OR hang the cone separately on a door knob, and place the spooky head on a shelf. 
The options & the FUN are endless!

SOLD OUT

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

*This Set includes a Juggling Black Cat figurine and the illustrated paper garland with cat & jack motif!

Double-sided garland is made from pressed paper, and the cat is paper pulp.

What FUN!

SOLD OUT

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

* Perched Owl on a Pumpkin's main purpose is to keep watch over your house while looking spOOKy cool! He's made of paper pulp and carries a parade stick!

SOLD OUT

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

*This set includes a Black Cat, an Owl & a Jack-o'-lantern Candy Box! Made of paper pulp and pressed paper, these boxes are both fun and functional!

Remove the lids & fill with TREATS!

SOLD OUT

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

* Smilin' Simon is a hollow black cat paper pulp vase with removable hat!

Keep him as is or create a spooky Halloween bouquet with this unusual container!

SOLD OUT

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

* This Set includes a whimsical Jack-o'-Lantern & Owl ornament - both early arrivals and slated for fall 2014 along with a 5 foot illustrated garland! Both ornaments are signed.

It's time to festoon the house in Johanna's Halloween delights!

SOLD OUT

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

* And Last, but not Least!

I have one more Halloween original to offer from my 2013 collection!

"Laughing Folly" is a one of a kind, hand-sculpted, hand-painted black cat bust with illustrated hat. She's signed, dated and marked 1/1 and will never be reproduced.

For more Details, visit Laughing Folly's page.

~  SOLD ~

THANK YOU 

for joining Me!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Halloween Blog Sale Tomorrow!

I have a few Halloween goodies left from my line of reproductions. So, tomorrow I will be hosting a sale here on my blog! Some pieces will be available individually, while others will be included in festive sets! These pieces have all been inspected and Signed by me too! The sale starts at 10am MST on Tuesday, October 15th. So, check back, and EMAIL ME after the sale starts, with the name of the item/s you would like to adopt. (I accept all major credit cards & checks)

HOOT HOOT!
~ Johanna

The Halloween Scene at Leo's...

Oh my, it has been a busy last few weeks! I finally had a chance to sort through my photos taken from last Saturday's 8th Annual Halloween Trunk Show here in Denver. As usual, it was a frenzy to set everything up the morning of the event. I only had a few a minutes to spare to snap some quick photos of both my display and the other artists exhibiting at this year's show. We were just thrilled to see so many dear collectors from both near and far, join us for this year's event! We had collector friends fly in from coast to coast, and I was just so honored and humbled to see their smiling faces here in Denver! THANK YOU to ALL of YOU that saved the date and made our Saturday extra special! And on another note, thank you again for your patience while we were experiencing some wacky technical difficulties with our credit card processing on 3 different devices! So much for all that technology that we invested in! At the start, the wait to check out was rather long, and we appreciated your patience. Now, we are on a mission to resolve this before December's Home Show!  Wish us luck! Despite that little flaw in the flow, we hope you had a fun time at Leo's this year! It's probably one of the few shows in the world where a spotless automotive garage houses a medley of Halloween art, decor and vintage goods, just for one day! For those of you that missed it, there's always next year! And in the meantime, enjoy my photos!

Happy Haunting,
~ Johanna




* That's me, smiling under the 'ol Halloween festooned umbrella!



* And, here's a view of my main table, decked out in all my licensed Halloween delights!



* I brought along an antique orange & black bird cage, which served as the perfect prop for my Jack-o'-lantern ornament guys to suspend from!



* Two tiers of my whimsical, vintage style candy boxes included a new owl design this year...



* More owls welcomed attendees and perched on an old child's chair...



* And my display would not be complete without black cats, spiders and skellies!



* New pieces for this year, a black cat that doubles as a vase, and a perching owl with JOL parade stick shared a small stool and welcomed guests...



* The big Pennzoil sign on the wall reminded folks that yes, they were indeed in an automotive garage! You can see the garage doors behind my display...



* Miniature owls, slated for next year, made an early appearance at this year's show!



* The old umbrella I snatched at a garage sale, served as a spooky display for my hanging Halloween candy cone characters!



* Another angle of my booth reveals a cupboard full of my Halloween originals!



* And, before the show, JP snapped a quick pic of me posing with all my 2013 one of a kind characters!



* And, then I snapped a pic of him too! He deserves much credit in the making of ALL of these guys as he sands and inspects each piece thoroughly before I begin the painted details! If you've seen my earlier work, you will notice that JP did NOT sand those..... LOL!



* Just a peek at some of my original candy containers for Halloween 2013!! Wish I had made more, but they are labor intensive indeed, and the clock is never kind...



* Another close-up, this time of an owl ball character with painted pennants and perching hoots...



* Here's a quick glance toward the front door with many peeps outside, waiting to see what's in store!



* My curiosity had the better of me, and I opened the door to say HI to many of my peeps, excited to see this year's JPD collection! THANK YOU for your enthusiasm!  It's heart-warming :)



* A quick spin-around, and you can spot my Halloween display off in the distance!



* And swoosh! The door opened, and my collectors dashed to my booth to snatch their favorite pieces! I brought 36 originals and had only 4 left! Oh my goodness! I always wish I had had time to make more....



* All of that frenzy made my tummy rumble, and Erica McNeish's yummy delights were a'waiting! Chocolate chip cookies, monster bars and cupcakes were just some of the sweets she had for those of us with a sweet tooth!



* And, luckily I snapped a quick photo of Erica McNeish (at right) with her lovely friend!



* A black decorated skull housed a medley of Halloween-themed boxes filled with yummy popcorn!



* Across the way, Sam Robinson, aka Manorisms, had a spooky cool display of Halloween novelties. Check out that big owl perching on her cupboard!



* Painted papier mache skulls, hats and unique masks were part of Sam's Halloween offerings this year...



* Sam's Halloween die-cuts, novelty items for the kids and books to get your spook on, created a little shop of curiosities!



* And, there's Sam Robinson at left, chatting with folk artist Cindy Habermann!



* Here's a peek at Cindy Habermann's sweet Halloween folk art characters - each hand-sculpted and unique!



* Next door was the All Good Wishes menagerie by Heide Murray with her needle felted characters, expressing all sorts of vintage style whimsy! Rabbits, turnip-folks, beets, jacks and ghosts - just to name a few! I regret that I didn't snap a quick photo of Heide herself when I was making the rounds...



* But, across the way, Heide's adorable daughter had a table of handmade delights. She reminded me of myself back in the day!



* Two more junior entrepreneurs (Erica & Sam's daughters) were filled with giggles and grins, and perhaps a little mischief too!



* Next to our booth, Kara Rosenberry had a pretty display of her handmade papers and painted delights, clever cards and whatnots...



* Kara and I have been crossing paths and inspiring each other at Sam's shows for many years!



* And across the way, Mysti Gulsrud of Dia de los Meurtos Jewelry / Delphinium Design shared a big grin along with a table full of her colorful jewels!



* Kim Sorden of Magic Fairy Candles brought more delights to the senses with her aromatic candles...



* Monica Moonlight added her whimsical twist to the mix via clay, fabric and yarn...



* And many vintage style fashionable accessories from MandyYocom of Fern & Sprout made it difficult to choose which one!



* Got a cute pic of Mandy Yocom, decked out in ruffles and florets!



* And Mandy's charming beau, Scott Hildebrandt, aka Mister Christmas, was all smiles, while he tinkered with his one of a kind miniatures...



* Scott has a passion for both holidays and miniatures with an eclectic, vintage twist! Old radios, antique salt and pepper glass jars and vintage bread boxes often house his miniature, whimsical scenes...



* At the end of the day, the girls put on the big hair and made the rounds! It was a memorable Trunk Show, and we can only hope that next year will be just as great!!!! Thank YOU for making it great...

xoxoxoxoxo

Meet the Artist - Win an Original - Gallery Event!

Hi Friends!

I will be at Show of Hands Gallery in Cherry Creek North this Thursday from 5pm - 7pm and again on Saturday, from Noon - 3pm! It is a delightful artisan shop filled with hand-crafted delights. I am finishing up a collection of one of a kind Halloween pieces that will be available! ALL attendees will also be eligible to WIN my original Jack-o'-Lantern that I created, exclusively for this special event! The raffle takes place at Show of Hands, from October 10th - October 13th, but I hope you can swing by when I am there to mingle and say hi! This is a chance for me to unwind and enjoy your company! Unlike last weekend's Halloween show, I promise not to be in a frenzy... So, I look forward to this opportunity to socialize! Hospitality will include delicious seasonal cookies & brownies from local bakery, Sugar District & Company. So, stop in for a cup of hot cider, a sweet treat and lots of eye candy! Bring your friends and family too!

* Meet Johanna * Thursday, October 10th: 5pm - 7pm Saturday, October 12th: Noon - 3pm Show of Hands is located at 210 Clayton Street, Denver 80206. Look for their green awning, lovely street-front sculpture garden and a small parking lot directly in front of their windows

Keep an eye here on my BLOG as I will post photos from last weekend's Halloween Trunk Show at Leo's. And, I plan to host a spontaneous Blog Sale of my signed Halloween reproductions next week! Later this month, we have another spooktacular Collector Spotlight to showcase as well! So, stay tuned for more delightful Halloween eye candy!

THANK YOU to all of my dear and dedicated collectors who have made my show season so uplifting and magical! It has been such a treat to see your smiling faces, and I appreciate the journey you made from both near and far to visit with me and collect my Halloween folk art! You continue to inspire me and allow me to do what I love to do! Halloween HUGSSSSSSSS to you!

HAPPY month of HALLOWEEN!
~ Johanna ~

Trunk Show Tease...

It feels good to be finished with my collection of Halloween originals for this year's 8th Annual Halloween Trunk Show at Leo's Garage! I stayed up late last night shooting photos of each piece, and it looks like I will have a menagerie of 36 one of a kinds to offer this Saturday along with all sorts of my signed reproductions and Halloween notepads! After each posed for his or her mug, I snapped some teaser vignettes which will hopefully entice you to join us and want see more! Enjoy the photos, and I hope to see you on Saturday :)

8th Annual Halloween Trunk Show

Saturday, October 5th * Noon - 6pm

Leo's Automotive

1563 South Pearl Street, Denver, CO 80210

Visit the Halloween Trunk Show's Website for more details!

* I made several fun owl characters this year..... each very unique and many donning a vintage button or 2 or 3 or more...



* A Peek-a-boo cat & bulldog - both double as candy containers!



* Of course, more ball characters are certainly in the mix....



*  I added a few busts to this year's line ~ a raven showing off his beak and a wildly grinning black cat...



* I'm lovin' these whimsical spiders, and they promise not to bite!



* Green-faced witches don a spooky-sweet look!



* And my first Frankenstien was born this year too!



* A Halloween rabbit and a tombstone skelly are also part of this year's family....



* And a pair of kitty mini busts sport a candy corn motif...



* A duo of jack-o'-lanterns share a glance...



* More owls may just mesmerize you with their large eyes!



* And bats with their stylized wings!



* Halloween bugs, Jacks, cats, ghosts and bats along with other sweet characters await! Won't you join us?

Save the Date!

Join us at Denver's 8th Annual Halloween Trunk Show on Saturday, October 5th from Noon - 6pm! Admission is free, so bring your family and friends. What an enchanting way to spend a Saturday afternoon, celebrating Fall... Cast your peepers upon artisan vendors offering hand-crafted delights, vintage finds and botanicals. And, enjoy tasty homemade treats by Erica McNeish! I will be offering a medley of my signed Halloween reproductions, along with an array of my one of a kind Halloween originals! See you there...

VISIT: www.HalloweenTrunkShow.com



Happy Haunting!
~ Johanna

 

Collector Spotlight: Kristen, the Midwesterner in NC...

It's time to inspire you to dust off those boxes and bins of Halloween decorations and festoon the home with orange and black delights! Fortunately, my collector friend, Kristen in North Carolina, is kick-starting the season by sharing with us her collections of original Halloween delights. She is my first Collector Spotlight feature for fall this year, and she is graciously sharing a variety of photos, taken around her lovely home. We had the pleasure of meeting in 2008 when I was exhibiting at the Halloween & Vine, and we have crossed paths a few more times at various Halloween art events! I am always humbled and of course, overjoyed, when collectors make the journey to my events to meet me and collect my work in person! Kristen has made the journey several times, and I look forward to seeing her again! Many, many thanks to you Kristen for being such a dear fan and friend and for opening your home to my blog readers. Now let's get started with some eye candy and a Q & A...

J: How did you learn about my Halloween folk art?

Kristen: In 2006 I was invited by another artist I collect to join the Eclectic Halloween Artist Group (now Guild), called EHAG for short. It was around that time that I was moving from just collecting mass produced Halloween art to originals. This was back in the days when eBay was king for collecting, before things like Etsy and blog sales. You came on my radar because you were an artist member of the group. 

J: How long have you been collecting my originals?

Kristen: In 2008 I scored a business trip out to California at the same time as Halloween and Vine (H&V). I was filled with excitement to see all kinds of Halloween originals together in person. I knew I wanted something from JPD and had fun anticipating what I might find at your table. I literally had to push my way in to get a look. Owls, ravens, and crows have been Halloween favorites of mine so it was no surprise that my first JPD treasure was "Luna Plume," a candy container with a feathered friend top. I was hooked with that first piece.

J: Ahh, yes, I definitely remember that day and what a pleasure it was to meet you! I think you were all decked out in Halloween accessories - maybe fuzzy black kitty ears - and you gave me a homemade taffy treat! I do recall you snatching up the black crow piece, and also admiring his owl-themed hat!

* And there's "Luna Plume" - the inspiration that started Kristen's JPD family of Halloween originals!

* From Left to Right: "Powlie Panache" perched owl by Johanna Parker Design, baby mummy by Joyce Stahl of Enchanted Productions and of course "Luna Plume" by me again. Grouping spooky fun characters, created from a handful of today's Halloween artists, is a fun way to show the individuality and style of each artist while expressing the common, imaginative theme that we all share!

J: What is it about my creations that captures your imagination?

Kristen: Your creations are addicting. I’ve read articles in magazines about how you create your pieces but they leave out the part when the “addiction powder” goes in the paint . I like how they are inspired by the past but not copies of the past. I love how they feel solid, but not heavy in my hands. I like how you incorporate non-traditional Halloween creatures such as mice and bunnies. I enjoy seeing new twists come out every year – new colors, adding wire, etc. I like how they have a distinct look so I can immediately tell them apart from other artists. I also enjoy whimsy and your pieces have that.

J: Wow, thank you Kristen! I got a chuckle from your "addiction powder" comment!  :) You're not the only one that has made a similar remark like that. I'm always under an artist's spell when I paint my pieces, perhaps lost in a whimsical land. Hours can pass by while I paint various details. So, I'm not quite sure what magic is in that paint, but I guess it's working! It has me addicted too!


* Close up of "Powlie Panache" - notice the word "owl" in "Powlie"..... :) I can get carried away with naming my originals!

* Kristen obviously has a flare for Halloween decorating. The fun doesn't stop at the shelf... Notice the dramatic shawl-draped lamp, table runner, wall painting and rug! She's a on roll and all pleasingly arranged to create a Hallow-moody nook...

J: Where have you had the best luck in acquiring my original pieces; shows, web sales, Collector's Catch, eBay, etc?

Kristen: Every original piece I have is from a show. I’ve been to H&V and Ghoultide Gathering shows several times. I love shows and taking in all the options. Having you or JP hand the bag over to me is the best. I also love the excitement of seeing other collectors snag new goodies for their collections. 

J: I have to agree that being caught up in the excitement of a show is certainly more memorable. And meeting collectors like yourself is always a treat!


* A delicate owl egg cup character of mine cozies up with other haunting collectibles by fellow Halloween artist friends that I too, have the pleasure of knowing!

*  From Left to Right: "Veggie Vampire" and pumpkin painting by Laurie Hardin of Monkey Cats Studio, Owl Egg cup by Johanna Parker Design, Orb by Laurie Hardin and Zombies by Sheila Bentley of Prim Dolly

J: Do you have a favorite piece in your private collection?

Kristen: It’s not easy to pick just one, but it is "Hootin’ Newton." Owls are one of my favorites, and I love the big “31” on him. I also like his festive neckwear. Luna Plume is special too because she was my first piece and she has an owl on her hat. 

J: I may have to agree with you - "Hootin' Newton" is one of my faves too with his bold, graphic look and big orange eyes! I really love how you arranged the five original ball characters, pictured below...


* As an eye-catching center piece, Kristen uses a spooky cake stand and a black pillar candle to create various levels of intrigue. At each quadrant, she places one of my original ball characters and tops it off with her favorite owl piece, on center! What a clever arrangement :)


* "Spirited Sam," ghost ball character, raises his wiry arms in the foreground, while off in the distance you catch a glimpse of a festive feather tree, adorned in Halloween ornaments!


* A spider web table cloth pulls this Halloween scene together while you are greeted by the grinning "Batrice the Spider Keeper! " Look beyond to see even more delightful decor filling her home with Halloween magic!

J: Is there anything in particular you suggest I try making in the future?

Kristen: Yes! I love vultures and you could make an awesome vulture character. I can just see a kindly craggy looking one perched on top of a ball. I’d be first in line to adopt him. 

J: That's a fun idea Kristen! I too am fascinated by birds, as they are certainly interesting subject matter for the imagination to unfold. I think I may know where my first JPD vulture will be flying to :)

* Dining Room Table, Left to Right: Cupcake by Scott Smith of Rucus Studio, Standing Cake by Amelia Schaefer of Sweet B Folk Art, Carmel Apples by David H. Everett of Chicken Lips, various Halloween ball characters by Johanna Parker Design and Candles by William Bezek.
Accessories: Candy apples are on a Bruce Elsass Hobgoblin plate. Cake stand is from Pottery Barn - 2011

Chronology of Kristen's Johanna Parker Design Collection:

2008 – Luna Plume, candy container
2010 - Powlie Panache, owl figure
2010 - Owl, egg cup
2011 – Spirited Sam, ball character
2011 – Walter O’Bats, ball character
2012 - Hootin’ Newton, ball character
2012 – Garret Candy Corn Carror, ball character
2012 – Batrice the Spider Keeper, ball character

Kristen: I missed 2009 because I was too pregnant to travel. My first son was born October 27, 2009.

J: Well, you practically had a Halloween baby! And gauging from my Halloween birthday, I can certainly relate to the passion to celebrate the 'ol b-day with orange and black! I can see why Halloween is extra special to you :)

Well, thank you Kristen for sharing your thoughts about your Halloween collection with me! It has been a real treat to see where my creations now comfortably live in your delightful home. You have a designer's eye for decorating, and I am honored that you collect my work and share it with your family and friends. For you, it's clearly become a treasured tradition to deck the home in hand-crafted Halloween art!

xo,

~ Johanna

Dear Friends,

Thank YOU for visiting my blog! I hope you enjoyed Kristen's photos! You can share your thoughts with Kristen here in the comments portion of this post. Just click the "comments" link below to leave a message for both me and her!

Also, if YOU would like to be my next Collector Spotlight and share some photos of your Johanna Parker Design Halloween Collection, I would be honored! I know some folks are a little shy, but if you are willing, then I am too! Please EMAIL me to start the simple sharing process!

Happy Halloween Decorating ~ 'tis the season!

Colorfax Mural Dedication...

Many thanks to all my friends who joined us in a community gathering to celebrate our first Colorfax mural! An enthusiastic group of folks assembled on Wednesday evening in front this colorful wall for a short hoorah and to marvel at the efforts of those who came together to make this happen. Enjoy a snapshot of images, and long live Colorfax!



* That's me at the parking lot podium, talking with my arms :)



* An assembly of local supporters, some of whom helped us paint this beauty, arrived with smiles on a balmy August evening...



* That's Bill Marino - 40 West Arts District's Board Chair & Lakewood-West Colfax Business Improvement District's Executive Director - waving around my Colorfax decals!



* After the mural was completed, I tweaked the Colorfax logo, adding movement and flare by angling the graphic green box, adding some curves and dropping the tag line below the main image. I like it even more! Many thanks to Dan Lundin of Banner Signs for printing up these complimentary decals! They created quite the buzzzz, and were gone in a flash! It's been fun for me to tap back into my graphic design roots, and create an iconic image with a mission to rejuvenate the Colfax corridor!



* Bill Marino offers praise and thanks to the owners of the King's Rest Motel for their support and accommodating spirit!



* I spoke about how I developed the mural and logo and the synergetic hummingbird symbolism.....



* Looks like somebody made me laugh :)



* And then Mayor Bob Murphy joined us to speak about his appreciation for this unique project...



* Clearly he was and is excited about Colorfax!



* And Lonnie Hanzon, local artist extraordinaire and good friend joined us to celebrate this project. He helped me paint the hummingbird on paint day.....



* We had to snap a pic of Jerry Redwine - proud owner of this whimsically painted wall - standing with our Mayor!



* Lastly, we strung a ribbon across the wall and cut it in a moment of silly commemoration!

PROJECT: Colorfax!

The time has come to introduce you to PROJECT: Colorfax! As the artist representative board member for the emerging 40 West Arts District, I recently dreamt up a community arts project to Rejuvenate West Colfax Avenue via Vibrant Art! With the concept where COLOR meets COLFAX, JP and I bounced off some ideas, and we decided to call it "Colorfax!" And, well, the rest is history! As these ideas were flowing, a local business owner suggested that 40 West Arts District paint the west side of his 70+ year old motel. I jumped at the idea as it posed the perfect canvas for our inaugural mural. With a myriad of windows, dotting the wall, I decided to feature a creeping vine and trumpet flower theme. The only missing element was a bird. With vibrant color on my mind, it was only natural to incorporate a hummingbird within my initial sketch. And, suddenly, we both knew that the hummer was the perfect choice to create that buzzzzz! From there, the bird imagery morphed into this program's icon, and I created the "Colorfax" logo, blending the hummingbird design with a hand-lettered font. Mind you, all of this has manifested over the past 2 months. It has been a juggling act, creating my Halloween folk art while dreaming about hummingbirds buzzing down Colfax and revitalizing the corridor! Fortunately, my mural concept came to life this weekend! A crew of enthusiastic artists and volunteers spent yesterday with us, filling in my lines and bringing color to the west wall of the King's Rest Motel! It was a lovely day to paint together, creating colorful memories and building a better community in the process. Passers-by that frequent this stretch of Colfax are noticing the change, and remarking with delight in the whimsical spirit of a wall once stale and forgotten. It's amazing what art and a group of like-minded individuals can accomplish for a community in need of a little TLC! Enjoy the photos... May the BUZZ begin....

xo,
~ Johanna

* Those of you that frequent my blog and Facebook Page will recall that I recently captured images of hummingbirds in our garden! The significance of this was quite stunning as these delightful little hummers started frequenting our flowers in exuberance, AFTER I designed the Colorfax mural & logo! We rarely see them in our front range Colorado garden, but the interesting thing is that some our 40 West friends have recently spotted them in their yards too! It's serendipitous perhaps and a special sign.

* Getting back to the mural, I directed the first few volunteers to fill in the stylized clouds....

* As wispy clouds wafted overhead in the sky, Lori Fanning-Kipp added clouds to the wall...

* Clouds above and clouds below, were billowing behind the windows as if they were drifting in a different dimension... At least, that's how I explained my vision to Karlanne Sinkovik and Carol Lundin!

* I caught a break and started on the base pink of the hummingbird's wings.....

* And, Dan Lundin and Bill Marino started applying the rolling green vines... JP brought along strips of recycled carpet padding so to add a little cushion to the 'ol knees! I think they appreciated that!

* We had just the right amount of helpers to make this composition happen! What a relief that was, as this was my first community mural effort...

* More and more clouds began to build, thanks to Judy Cybuch....

The motel owners kindly prepped the wall surface for us, skimming stucco overtop old brick. They also prepped the parking lot, adding tarps, and caution paint for obstacles and ruts in the surface.... Thank you Brian Derry & Jerry Redwine at the King's Rest! They were so very welcoming...

* After the first hour, the designs were really starting to take shape! Thanks to JP, all of our paint brushes stayed spiffy clean, as he washed them one after another throughout the day...



* Then, a Laura Phelps-Rogers and her husband Carl Rogers arrived to help refine the lines and tighten my swirls!



* Red trumpet flowers began to bloom thanks to Carrie Mesch...



* All the while, I juggled a little directing, mixed paint for clouds, applied hues to the big bird while answering that perennial question: ''what can I do?" especially from Todd Lansing, pictured at right :)



* 40 West Artist Nan Lund was a great help in filling in the lines with color!



* Tya Anthony dotted the wall with various dragonflies, and also took some great photos of the event. You can enjoy her photos at:  Tya Anthony's Flickr Page 



* As the composition started to develop more, I had a chance to tighten up the vine lines, while Lonnie Hanzon added detail to the giant hummingbird... Many thanks also to Dave Ruchman, Lori Ennis and of course Julie Byerlein for helping us complete this magical project through paint and smiles!



* And finally, we called it a wrap! Shortly thereafter, the guys from the King's Rest appeared and posed for a photo in front of their rejuvenated wall! The owner, Jerry Rewine (2nd from the left) was all smiles! Well, all the fellas had smiles :)



* And then I snuck in next to Jerry along with Carrie Mesch and Bill Marino, fellow 40 West board members, to document the big day!



* JP and I went back today to touch up a few elements, emphasize the styled line work in the clouds, brighten the reds and finalize the last of the details. The last two steps are adding our sponsor logos: Kwal Paint and 40 West, and add a coat of UV resistant clear barrier. THEN, we can check this off our list and cross our fingers that it brings much inspiration to the community... Thank you Kwal Paint for donating all the paints and many of our supplies!



* And of course, it's always a delight to see the before and after......

Long live "Colorfax"!!!!

Candy Corn Butterfly...

The whimsical creatures that always capture my imagination in the summer garden have inspired a fun series of buggy delights in my workshop this year. And as Halloween is one of my most favorite themes, a mirthful mix of the two subjects gave rise to this sweet Candy Corn Butterfly! A first of his kind, this little sweetie has a delicately painted wooden egg cup base, and a removable top sculpted from papier mache. Indeed, he is a one of a kind that promises to delight! He is available tonight via the EHAG Emporium, where you can shop for unique originals from the talented artists of the Eclectic Halloween Artists Guild! The EHAG Emporium opens and updates at 9pm EST on the last day of each month with fresh works available. I finally squeezed in a little time to make something special and participate this month! Here on my  blog, I am offering additional angles of this sweet piece! If you are tempted, please EMAIL ME to secure this piece! More images, info and price to follow..... Thanks for looking!

DETAILS:

"Halloween Butterfly Egg Cup"

5.25" tall by 6.75" wide

$495 plus shipping

* SOLD *

Thank you!!!

* With a removable top, you can stash tiny trinkets in his wooden egg cup!

* The thought occurred to me to paint candy corn butterflies on this base... What fun!

* And with hand-formed wire wings and curly antennae, this bug is certainly a fun blend of patterns and textures.....

* Don't you just want to pinch those bulbous cheeks?

* His orange cap is accented with a hooked hat, trimmed in black glass glitter...

* And a wispy collar adds that final touch!

"OH"..."Are you buggy for me? Let me fly to you!".....

Best Wishes,

~ Johanna

Enchanted in the Garden...

I find nature truly enchanting. From the smallest of winged visitors, sampling the nectar and pollen of blooming flowers to the beautiful patterns and textures of the plants that grow, it's all magic to me! To capture these creatures in motion, senses must be alert as their visits are often fleeting. I listen for the sounds of the birds and insects, and I try to identify who's call is whose. Yesterday, the high-pitched chirp of the hummingbird stopped me in my tracks. I rushed inside, snatched the zoom lens and tiptoed out to the garden. I absolutely adore these little creatures and rarely catch a glimpse in time before they buzz away. Luckily, this day, I was fortunate and captured a little darling, savoring our magenta bee balm's blooms. It's the first moment  thatI have ever snapped a single photo of a sweet hummer, and I wanted to share the multitude of images I captured! After he buzzed away, I found more enchanting subjects to photograph. Like a web, each character is delicately interwoven with the other, and we as humans participate in the magic of the story by planting flowers that attract and feed these little guys. And rather than cutting those plants down as they fade, we allow nature to play out its course as you will see below.... Enjoy!



* One of my favorite images, captures both the beauty and composition of both this amazing little bird and the flower it feeds from...



* A flash a chartreuse scaled feathers, twinkles as this little guy bounces from bloom to boom...



* As he visits a bee balm blossom, he hovers mid-air, flapping his wings up to 80 times per second!...How amazing is that?!



* And, the shape of his long, pointed bill is designed to perfection for extracting that delicious sugar from the tubular flowers he is drawn to...



* He buzzed away for a moment's rest, perching above on a juniper's branch. I caught a still of this little guy at rest, and was later dazzled to see the small, shiny magenta medallion at the center of his neck. That's what  I love about photography. It often reveal's nature's little details and secrets that we miss in our daily lives...



* Another quick swoop down for a sweet drink, and poof, he was off and away! I am grateful for the few moments I had with this marvelous little bird...



* Across the path, our purple-hued bee balms are also in bloom, attracting a large, fuzzy Bumble Bee! Then, I started to wonder how many types of bees there are in nature? Surely, there are more than we realize. And so the hunt began....



* I quickly spotted a Honey Bee diving head first into an orange poppy....



* And, then I headed over to our large cluster of sunflowers, planted by our bird friends! Not long ago, they were a mass of seedlings, and now they have surpassed me and JP in height. Not only are they cheerful and bright accents in the garden, they are also an important food source for our winged visitors...



* A pair of twin bees with long antennae kept circling this bloom.....



* And another type of bee with fuzzy, fat yellow legs was feasting on this sunflower.... At a glance, I spotted 4 distinct types of bees during that short interval of time in our garden. But according to an online search, there are over 20,000 species of bees in the world! Wow!



* And, clearly the bees are not the only critters attracted to these sunflowers.... Take a closer look and you will see a yellow-bellied bird that was painted to blend right in to this grove of flowers...



* I hid behind our vine-covered trellis and captured several shots of this Lesser Goldfinch with a zoom lens. These guys started visiting our yard, after our sunflowers became a perennial part of our garden landscape.



* I watch them from our kitchen window as I cook and clean, and it's fun to see how they forage for food...



* This guy perches on a spent seed head and plucks out each sunflower seed. Years ago, mindless of my surroundings, I would have cut these old flowers down after their petals dropped. But, now it's such a joy to see the cycles of nature, to offer food to these delightful little characters who add whimsy and motion to the landscape.



* And they're so beautiful to watch...



* And it's fun to imagine little stories about each character. This guy looks like he's striking a pose while smoking his cigar..... hehe!



* And who else did I spot in the garden?..... A pair of flower-themed kitties were nestled atop our geranium-filled window box!  They like to explore the magic of nature too..... Actually, I created these characters, inspired by details that delight me in my garden. The two are a special order for a therapist who loves my art and who works with children. Her request for these characters was so compelling, that I could not resist making them. Now, "Petals Pete" and "Garden Gertie" are on a mission to spread joy and smiles to her little patients in New York.... And hence, that intricate web of life continues to connect us all together through the magic of nature. May you have reverence for it, may it bring you joy and may it inspire you!

See you in the garden....
~ Johanna

Celebrating Summer...

It is always a pleasure to watch the perennial garden grow and blossom! With a late spring arrival, the summer blooms were tardy this year. June's typical bounty of flowers burst in early July. So, I captured a few snapshots while the colors were still vibrant. I strategically attempted to crop out the various piles of construction materials as JP is busy at work on our many house projects. But, I look forward to the day when I can share the progress. Stay tuned! For now, enjoy a few dreamy images of garden bliss. Enjoy summer while it's here!

Best Wishes,
~ Johanna



* A violet-white clematis vine hugs the weathered arbor JP and I were married under many years ago....



* Luscious red roses frame a pretty sea of varied green textures...



* I found this old bird bath at a garage sale this spring and immediately found the perfect spot for it....



* Peering beyond a profuse column of magenta clematis, you can see our garden shed that JP built...



* Looking back from the garden shed, red geraniums add a bright spot of color to decorative window boxes...



* Another view of the garden reveals a variety of blooms....



* Magenta rose campion and clematis are some of my favorite hues especially when paired with lime and chartreuse green leaves...



* Peering through the rose bush, you can spot an old rusty gate that I just adore...



* A pair of terracotta critter planters mark the garden's entrance and greet guests...



* Another peek beyond the old birdbath invites one to sit for a spell...



Cheers to warm summer nights, fragrant flowers and colorful gardens that entice and inspire the senses.

Charitable Best Offer Auction!

Dear Friends ~ Please join me in making my donation of original art count towards the lives of numerous homeless cats and dogs....

I invite you to join me for this special Best Offer Blog Auction in collaboration with True Colors: A Group Show by Pet Friendly Artists on exhibit at the Yummy Wine Bar & Bistro in Seaside, OR. Bids will be collected privately via EMAIL, and the winner of “Watchful Owlfredo” will enjoy my collectible, original Artscape along with the honor of aiding abandoned pets. Clatsop Animal Assistance is a nonprofit organization in Oregon that shelters and cares for homeless cats and dogs. 

* 100% of the sale of this piece will benefit this non-profit organization. 

* A tax deductible receipt will be provided to the new owner of this special, 1/1 art piece. 

Auction has now ended. Thank you!

Best Offer: $480.00 

AUCTION ENDS: July 8, 1pm EST

"Watchful Owlfredo" was born from a long-standing vision I have had to create dimensional Artscapes from papier mache and repurposed frames. A first of its kind, the focal image is hand-sculpted and intricately detailed with textural touches through a layering process of many steps. A medley of painted hues are applied to create more depth and interest. The detail is a challenge to capture through photography, so a viewing in person is truly preferred. But, as this an online Best Offer Blog Auction, I will attempt to describe it further! Vintage hues of soft green and turquoise create a lovely backdrop, while undertones of plum-brown fill the textural patterns that break up the space. A deep plum color fills the crevices of the twisting branches which are highlighted in pumpkin orange. The owl also carries the rich plum hue in his recessed details. Butter yellow and harvest orange highlight his stylized feathers. The beak, the eyes, chest and talons project dimensionally along with the stylized branches that frame this whimsical character. The modified outer frame is under-painted in terracotta with a deep plum-black top coat. JP applied additional trim to create more depth and stability. He also added the backboard which is terracotta-washed mahogany veneer. Signed and dated by me, Johanna Parker, this is a unique first-of / one of a kind Artscape piece. Please scroll down for details about this auction and images of this unique framed art.

Frame Size: 11.25" wide x 11.25" tall

Sculpted Artscape: 6" wide x 6.25" tall

About this Blog Auction: 

If you would like to be the proud owner of "Watchful Owlfredo,"simply EMAIL ME with your Best Offer. What would you be willing to DONATE to the Clatsop Animal Assistance AND adopt this collectible piece?

So, here's the scoop:

- I am starting the bid at $250
- 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 Sunday, July 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 July 8th to submit any additional offers. I hope to announce the Winning Offer amount here on my blog by 1pm EST 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 "Watchful Owlfredo."

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 1pm EST, July 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. Again, 100% of the sale of "Watchful Owlfredo" will benefit Clatsop Animal Assistance, a non-profit organization, and the buyer will receive a tax deductible receipt for his or her donation. Both, payment transaction and receipt will be handled by the event coordinators who own and operate the Gallery @ the Yummy Wine Bar & Bistro. My promise was to create the art and then help sell my contribution here on my blog...

As for emailing me with your offers, please know that WE (myself, JP and all the volunteers that care for homeless cats & dogs at Clatsop) are grateful for your support and any bids of affection. Best of luck & Thank You!...... Now, let's get started :)

Up for Offers is "Watchful Owlfredo"... 

In April, I shipped this piece off to my artist friend Jimmy Pickering, who asked me to donate art to his partner's benefit. Watchful Owlfredo has been hanging in the Gallery at the Yummy Wine Bar & Bistro in Seaside, Oregon for over 2 months, and I wish I could have been there to see the rest of the show! I promised that I would not release this piece until I hosted a special Blog Auction, and the time is now. Before I shipped this first Artscape of mine, we hung it on our living room wall, stepped back and smiled! As difficult as it was to let him go, we knew he will help nurture homeless cats and dogs, and that feels good! 

We hope you will join us in making this donation count!

* Photos truly do not do this piece justice, but all I can say is that I know you will be happy with your donation in the event you share the best offer.

* That's my hand there for size reference :)

* You'll notice that I signed the front, under his perching branch, as well as the back....

* A quick photo taken below, looking up at Owlfredo.....

* And a peek at the backside too....

Spread the word and THANK YOU for your donation of support!

Best Wishes,

~ Johanna

Art in the Home is a Delightful thing...

I love creating Art for the Home. The vintage character and folk feel of my pieces are intended to bring warmth and cheer to the collectors that graciously adopt them. Admittedly, it is a bittersweet moment for me when they do sell as I make pieces in a style that suits me well. And, rarely do I get a chance to enjoy my creations for very long before pack & ship day arrives. I tend to finish a collection right before the event occurs when I debut the art. Luckily this spring and summer I scheduled a little one-on-one time with some of my latest pieces before I bid them bon voyage! Subsequently, I snapped a few photos of my most recent one of a kind folk art pieces nestled in our  home. I thought you might enjoy.....



* Here is a glimpse as you enter our home, here in Colorado. We flip-flopped our front room with our back sunroom, bringing the table and chairs to the front, and our old mohair couch now settles in the back. The arrangement is more comfortabel for us, and we wonder why it took us about 14 years to figure that out! Haha! Pictured here is a small cat bust resting atop an old green saucer to bring more attention to the art. A couple folk art originals dot the mantel, but the focus remains in the foreground.



* I love how this sweet cat bust came to life. The colors resonate with our home, but I know she is more than content and well-loved in her new home in sunny California! I set her atop an old book to add a little height to this fun character.



* Stepping away, you can see the full arrangement which centers around a vintage Duffy's Delicious Drinks cooler that I picked up at a local antique mall many years ago. I love that color! The old shelf on the red wall houses a small collection of white pottery and earth elements, like feathers, shells, stones, honeycombs, etc... Two button-covered birds perch across the the top and guard the shelf below.



* A close up from below captures the bird at left, covered in vintage buttons. Mom recently visited and proclaimed that I must keep it! So, I have not sold this one yet, but I still might...... :)



* Here is a glimpse into our kitchen and back sunroom. You'll see that our old 1930's couch is now nestled in the back which creates a cozy place for gathering. A hand-painted plate that I purchased from artist friend Sharon Bloom hangs on the orange wall, and ties in some of my favorite hues.



* Atop our vintage 1940s fridge perches one of my butterfly egg cups. From my recent Flower Power collection, this little sweetie was difficult to let go. But, I know this bug is thrilled to be living in the home of a passionate art lover in Jersey!



* One of a few Flower Keeper cat originals found the purrrfect spot to rest atop an old corner shelf in our sunroom. The delicate tulips were picked from our backyard, and together the whole ensemble made me smile. I know this sweet character is making more smiles now that he resides in a loving home in Oregon...



* And lastly for now, another dear butterfly egg cup character cozied up to the corner on our kitchen window sill. What a delight a little fellow like this can add to your day as you go about your routine. She's now bringing joy and laughter to a sweet family in Michigan...

As bittersweet as it is to say farewell to each and every character I make, the pleasure is in knowing that each will bring delight to those near. If a piece of art has the power to distract, to draw one in and captivate, to generate new emotions, to inspire and stir the imagination, then the artist can take a deep breath and feel content.
Ahhhhhh.......

Cheers,
~ Johanna