JPD Partners in Craft Presents:
Halloween Attic
JPD Partners in Craft * Halloween Attic + Johanna Parker Design * Artist Collaboration - NEW “Holiday Hagatha"standing figurine is a spooky sweet character in a “Jolly Enjoyments” theme!
“It’s Time for Halloween” handmade Shadow Box by Halloween Attic features a JPD-style black & white cat holding a whimsical Gus Ghost balloon!
A blossom-topped singing Luna and pumpkin friend, bring the Spooky Garden indoors!
Here, Halloween Attic’s JPD-inspired sculptures have received their paint and line up in preparation for assembly!
“OH” says Luna, peeking from the corner of the scene! Each clay accent that Michelle makes is hand-sculpted and painted for a one of a kind touch!
“Roller Spook Hoot” mentioned in Michelle’s bio as one of her most favorite designs from Johanna’s collection, makes a spooky sweet pairing with their first shadow box collaboration!
Michelle’s JPD-inspired shadow boxes can be showcased on a corbel sconce as they are just the right size and stand on their own!
HALLOWEEN FOLK ARTIST:
Michelle Ritchie
(Search results for “Johanna Parker”)
WHERE: Castro Valley, CA
CRAFT: Halloween, Folk Art, Handmade, Handcrafted, Clay, Sculpey, Sculpture, Shadow Box
Michelle Ritchie of Halloween Attic is a self taught folk artist with a love for things that combine whimsy with spooky. She began her artistic foray in the early 2000s through a series of Day of the Dead shadow boxes. Greatly inspired by the printmaker José Guadalupe Posada, she sold her handmade shadow boxes at art shows and craft events until rollerskating took over her life! Many years rolled by until her wheels turned her back towards art, and in 2020, she picked up some clay and began making simple jack o' lantern designs inspired by her love for Halloween decor!
Around that same time, Michelle discovered Johanna Parker in stores and began collecting the Halloween treasures of JPD. It was Johanna’s “Roller Spook Hoot” that captured Michelle’s heart and continues to be her most prized piece! A sweet owl tucked into a witch boot, sporting a set of jack-o’-lantern wheels, combines Michelle’s favorite things, Halloween and Roller Skating!
Along the way, Johanna learned of Halloween Attic’s unique shadow box art pieces through correspondence on Instagram. Michelle was sculpting and sharing her unique variation on the classic characters of JPD, and Johanna responded with enthusiasm when Michelle began honing her vintage technique. Shortly after, Michelle reached out to collaborate, and the two designed their first Halloween shadow box together!
The results are a sweet fusion of Michelle and Johanna’s designs that forms a one of a kind art novelty. The figural sculptures that bring personality to each composition are hand formed from clay, delicately painted, and no two are exactly alike. Michelle also sets the Halloween Attic scene with a professionally printed swatch of wallpaper from Johanna’s collection of illustrative patterns, and each box is trimmed in filigree. Whether mounted on a wall, set upright on a shelf or nestled amongst decor, these delightful scenes capture the spooky sweetness of Halloween Attic + Johanna Parker Design in a delightfully intricate, 3-dimensional way!
Today, Michelle rotates from shadow box making and preschool teaching, to being a mother and wife, and she also makes times for weekly skate breaks for a nice balance too! She feels lucky that within her circle, creative inspiration is always close at hand and heart. Her husband, Matt Ritchie, has worked in many mediums and is one of the most incredible artists that she knows! As well, her son Miles is a very accomplished artist, and Michelle credits him for teaching her how to assemble her shadow boxes to secure her art within. It’s clear that her classroom of children inspires her as well, contributing to the youthful spirit that Michelle expresses through her whimsical designs.
Michelle shares, “It is such an honor to be a JP partner in craft...honestly, a dream come true!” and Johanna is honored to share Michelle’s talents and showcase JPD-inspired folk art in this sweet, enchanting format. Johanna adds with a smile that while she dreamed of being an amazing roller-skater, she always had two left feet! Luckily, Michelle is living that dream too! :)
Halloween Attic creates Halloween-themed shadow boxes year-round! Keep an eye out for more collaborative designs from this creative duo, coming soon!
Social: @halloween.attic
Voila! This masterpiece is now safe and secure! This photo displays a finished Halloween Attic shadow box with its window insert in place. A slot on the top allows one to slide a plexiglass piece into a groove for added protection! Trimmed with a strip of matching wood, the final look is complete!
Michelle shares a work in progress paint peek at her howling black and white JP style cats! Their intricate buttons are candy corn florets for a spooky sweet garden accent!
A jolly jack-o’-lantern companion for the cat adds smiles and sweetness to the scene.
Michelle’s sweet JPD-inspired black and white cats caught Johanna’s eye!
The scene is set on a full moon! Whimsical shadow box design by Halloween Attic in collaboration with Johanna Parker…
Another look at Halloween Attic’s first finished shadow box collaboration with Johanna Parker Design! Pictured here, the protective window insert is in place, and the scene is trimmed with delicate brass filigree corners for a lovely finish.
Peek a Boo! Take a closer look at Michelle’s shadow box after removing the plexiglass window insert. Upon opening, collectors can add their own accents for a personal touch. Display either way!
