A Peek at the Gifts for Yule!...

Well, the forecasters were right this time, as we had a snowy weekend for the Gifts for Yule show. I must admit, it was very nostalgic when the holiday tune "Let it snow" was singing along, across the speakers, and large white flakes were falling outside. Luckily, we had a pause in the weather as the doors opened on Saturday, and the chilly air and snowy roads did not stop many shoppers from attending this festive event! Thank you to all who bundled up and came out to see us! Below are a few images from this fun event, so enjoy! And if you were unable to attend, please mark your calendar for our 7th Annual Holiday Folk Art Show and Open House at our home in Lakewood!... It will be here soon :) ~ Johanna



* That's me smiling and pleased to be all set up and ready for a fun show to start...

PS... for those wondering ~ my left hand and wrist were hurting on Saturday, so I wrapped it up to protect it. I think it's from tightly gripping my art while I sculpt and paint with my right... (workplace hazard...!!) Luckily, the pain left on Sunday :)


* A pair of my Snowmen Bauble reproduction ornaments nestle in an old vintage white tree...


* My various Santa reproductions grouped together and awaiting to meet holiday shoppers...


* There's my cute hubby who safely drove me and our trailer filled with goodies to this holiday event during a winter snowstorm...


* Cute little snowmen heads dangle from a green feather tree in my holiday display...

By the way, the old enamel kettle was my great grandmother's, and mom tells me she made the best Norwegian coffee in it for the holidays!.... I've obviously found a new use for it... I wonder if Grandma Hannah would approve...?


* A peek at my booth all decked out in Christmas cheer....


* More fun holiday reproduction characters of mine stand in unison....


* A festive collage offering just a peek at what the other artisan vendors had to offer at this fun event...


* More visions of eye candy offered by local exhibitors....


* A glimpse at my holiday display....

* © 2009 Johanna Parker Design *Photographs are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Winter's Coming....

As I was putting the final touches of shimmery mica on some of my latest winter originals, the weatherman was predicting snow and chilly temps for this weekend's Gifts for Yule Show. Winter is coming...the cool gray skies will fill with magical white flakes, and hopefully holiday shoppers will sense the nostalgic spirit of the season. Until then, here is sneak peek at just some of the winter delights I have been finishing up for this festive holiday show. You may have to bundle up, put on those hefty snow boots and trudge through a blanket of white snow to see the rest of my latest goodies. Stay warm and see you soon!
~ Johanna



* © 2009 Johanna Parker Design *Photographs & holiday folk art designs are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Holiday Show Time...

* Above, "Happy Stack Snowman" raises his wiry arms up to the winter skies. He's one of my latest primitive reproduction designs offered through Primitives by Kathy...

Is it just me, or do the days go by faster and faster with each year? I have my first Winter Holiday show in just 3 days, and part of me is still wondering what happened to summer and perhaps even spring! They say "times flies when you're having fun", so perhaps that is the attitude and excuse I should use... It makes sense I guess, as I do have FUN making my art, and I find myself consumed daily with design and creation. But sometimes, I look up with paintbrush in hand and the day is over! Yet, I feel like I've only just begun! Tell me I'm not the only one?! I think time can be cruel to an artist, as I could truly spend years on just one piece. It is difficult to say "enough" and move on, but the clock is always ticking and forces us to forge ahead. Speaking of "ahead," I'm often dreaming up designs one year in advance as well. As a product designer for two companies, part of my role is to imagine trends and designs that people will like in the future, a year later and so on. I'm often designing spring concepts for two years out during December, and well, you get the drift. And then, there is that other part of me, creating one of kind works of art for the upcoming season, and that part of me is always behind... It's no wonder why I am a bit surprised and bewildered that November is upon us and the holidays, well, are just around the corner. It sneaks up on me every year, and here we are again!

I do love this time of year though as there is a spirit of whimsy in the air that I can connect with. And, there will be plenty of that whimsy to go around this weekend at Denver's Gifts for Yule Show. Once again, (ready or not) I will be there with my holiday collectibles, both originals and signed reproductions. So, bundle up with your scarf and mittens and stop by for a dose of holiday cheer! We will be looking forward to seeing your smiling faces and catching up. In the meantime, wish me luck while the familiar face on the wall goes tick-tock-tick-tock....................

Cheers,
~ Johanna

Last Call to my Collector Friends!...

For those of you collectors who have been accumulating my Halloween folk art designs, don't forget to snap a few fun photos of your Halloween collections before you wrap them up and pack them away for next year. I would love to peek in and see my imaginative characters all happy and settled in their new homes! I am also saving your images for a future Collector's Corner page that will be featured here on my blog. If you would like to share your Halloween decor here with others who share your passion, please send me your photos to this address: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com
* I have received quite a few fun images so far! Thank you to those who have already shared your photos with me! Here is a teeny peek at just a few Halloween collections out there... More to come later :) ~ Johanna ~


* A wonderful cupboard of Halloween collectibles enjoyed by Matthew in Wadsworth, Ohio. He has amassed a wonderful display of vintage finds along with both my Halloween reproductions and originals and even a few pieces made by the collector himself!...


* Just a peek at Sandy's growing collection of my Halloween originals now residing in Beaver, Pennsylvania. She also collects the delightful work of Lori Ann Corelis.


* A sneak peek at local collector friend, Gay's wonderful wall display of both my original Halloween sculptures and my reproduced Halloween party plates now residing in her cozy home in Arvada, Colorado...

Again, I would LOVE to see more! Snap Snap those photos before the seasons change!
Thank you!


Halloween Night...

Well, it's a new day and a new month, but I will always have fond memories of Halloween night! JP and I went out on the town with the best-est of friends and enjoyed a late dinner at Vesta along with some fabulous (and belly-busting) people watching. The imagination certainly runs wild on October 31st, and that is why I love it so very much! We scrounged up an old costume from years since past, bought some face paint and morphed into the Halloween Monarch! What fun it was! Here's a peek..... I hope everyone had a spooktacular Halloween and enjoyed the sights and scenes as much as we did!..... ~ Johanna ~


* There I am, hurriedly applying orange and black paint to my face.. The doorbell kept ringing with anxious trick-or-treaters awaiting their candy handouts!... Once I finished with my face, JP was next in line...


* And voila!.... The Halloween Monarch strikes again! We had the tripod set up, snapping our photo as we oddly posed for the camera. We could see folks in costume stopping to stare from the street at our strange image in the window...

The Purrrrrfect Halloween!...

It gives me great joy when I have the pleasure of experiencing bits of my wild imagination materialize before my eyes! As you may know, I have this fascination with placing conical party hats on the heads of my papier mache black cats. I know I am not the only artist with this urge to whimsify (if that's a word) the 4-legged creature companions we share this planet with. But, it is something I cannot resist! In fact, I just found myself making a mini party hat for my black cat, Jack! He is really a dear as you will see, and so, so kind to permit me to play out my silly fantasy. We had quite the chuckle as I dressed him for the occasion. He patiently posed on an old stool as we snapped shot after shot in utter amazement at his lack of concern. Perhaps, I am less of a loon than I had initially thought, for I have discovered that black cats truly do wear party hats! CHEERS to that, and may you have a purrrfectly HAPPY HALLOWEEN! ~ ENJOY ~ Johanna :-)


* Oh, look at that little dear in all his Halloween cheer...


* Picture purrrrrfect poser.....


* Loving that party hat profile.... utter cuteness!


* In the background... a glimpse of my original black cat firescreen, complementing the Halloween scene...


* No words necessary to describe this image.. hehehehehe!

* © 2009 Johanna Parker Design *Photographs are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Vintage Halloween Gifts...

With my Halloween birthday just around the corner, I had three wonderful packages of goodies arrive this week! Each box was filled with antique finds, and knowing me and my passion for all things vintage, I was certainly thrilled to tear into each and cherish my new (old) gifts, for those are the best kinds. Here is a peek at the contents treasured....


R A T T L E RATTLE rattle!!!!

* The first birthday box was from Mom! She's made it a yearly tradition to seek out and adopt vintage Halloween collectibles for my collection of antique novelties. Take a look at this fabulous black cat tambourine!.... She found this wonderful piece during her recent visit to Vermont.... LOVE it!

C L I C K CLICK click!!!...

* Another treasure from Mom! Look at the intricate witch and broom graphics on this old Halloween clicker! What wonderful detail..... It's just a little gem!


* To top it off, Mom made me this dear hand stitched pillow from dyed wools and an old army blanket that my Grandpa used to keep folded up in the back of his car. Both nostalgic and sweet, handmade gifts may well top my list of favorites! I think this jack-o'-lantern pillow is delightful, and I encourage Mom to make many more... Don't you?? ~ THANK YOU Mom :)


* Another delightful surprise arrived from a very thoughtful collector friend of mine! I believe Celeste was snooping on my blog ~ hehe! ~ and noticed my love for colorful pottery as I have it lining the shelves in my 40s style kitchen. She boxed up this yummy yellow Bauer casserole bowl, once used and loved by her own mother, and sent it to me! It arrived, filled with adorable handmade packages containing Halloween treats! THANK YOU Celeste :) You are so sweet!


* And the last box traveled quite a distance to find me! A small package filled with delicious chocolates and this most wonderful floral bakelite brooch safely arrived from my sweet mother in law in Belgium! She found this amber colored pin in an antique shop and thought I just may like it... But, of course! It's wonderful! THANK YOU Mamy! :)


* Speaking of vintage gifts, I thought I might add this collectible Munsters postcard to the mix! My sweet friend and black cat art collector, Lyndy Ward of TODAYSGOLD sent this little gem to me! She was offering 3 of these vintage novelties on her blog as a generous Halloween giveaway, and her black cat, Magick chose my name out of a catnip-sprinkled pile of entries. I'm feeling lucky :) Thank you Lyndy and Magick for sending me this fun piece from the past. I always loved the Munsters :)

And THANK YOU to all who have sent me such fun Halloween cards! Some intricately illustrated, others stamped and adorned with whimsical cutouts and rhinestones and others hand-picked ~ I cherish them all and think of you fondly.... And, I hope next year I will finally design and print my very own Halloween greetings and send them off to you! Wish me luck.....

xoxoxo,
~ Johanna

Peek-a-Boo at Home...

As the clock struck midnight, I pondered the thought of capturing a few of my Halloween characters in a haunting, night-time glow. The lights were eerily low as I tiptoed around the room with my tripod and camera. I framed each shot as JP experimented with shutter speeds and apertures that often send my right brain into a land of bewilderment... Together, we spent our Saturday night, or perhaps early Sunday morning capturing scenes of Halloween in our home. It was fun, and then I dreamt about snapping photos all night! Here's a Peek-a-Boo for you..... ~ Johanna


* Here is "Wise ol' Owlexander" from my 2009 collection of Halloween originals. I actually kept a few for myself this year so that I can enjoy their company. This guy rests atop a stack of vintage black candy tins and is the focal point of my Halloween mantel display.


* A warm, eerie glow casts across the mantel which displays a parade of Halloween delights. Vintage tin party horns gifted to me from treasured friends add a glimpse into Halloween's past and make the perfect companions to my Halloween folk art creations.


* A closer look at my reproduction Towering Owl Vase and his Halloween horn friends....


* And there's my reproduction Towering Bat vase guarding an assortment of vintage horns...


* I kept "Sissy Boo" too... I love the haunting overexposed glow that radiates behind her in this image! Yumminess.....


* Across the room, a little witch protects my collection of feathers on my "earth shelf." Here, seashells, collected rocks, feathers and other gifts from nature live harmoniously with my vintage style folk art and other antique finds...


* Again, I had to keep this little wicked witch for myself. She is from my new series of one of a kind Kettle Cups this year....


* And below, my reproduction jack-o'-lantern candy bowl holds an array of sweets and is surrounded by a fun display of Halloween card greetings from special friends, both near and far....

AND, Dear Collector Friends.... I know you love HALLOWEEN just as much as I do! If you collect my Halloween folk art, would you be willing to snap a few photos for me? When I have a moment, I would love to create a Collector's Corner page on my blog, showcasing your displays and Halloween finds.... You can email your photos to me at: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com THANK YOU for sharing your collections, and I look forward to hearing from you :)

The Art of the Matter & GiveAway!...

FaaaLaaLa.........



I know it is still October, and we are ALL feeling that Halloween spirit in the air. But, I have been anxious to share with you some very exciting news! Turn to page 18 in the current November / December issue of Country Sampler Magazine. It has been out on the stands for almost a month now, and I urge you to pick up a copy for yourself as soon as you can because my mother's holiday folk art and colonial-style decorating are featured in a 10 page article! It is just fabulous! We are both so pleased as the editors included so many fun images of our Christmas folk art along with all sorts of wonderful decorating ideas from mom. To continue the excitement, both myself and my mom are contributing signed, holiday folk art in a special GiveAway Contest offered by Country Sampler! Keep scrolling to see the Kathy Parker original folk art snowman that will be awarded to a lucky winner! As for my contribution, I am offering a signed Santa candy container from my Bethany Lowe Designs line, and a signed belsnickel from my Primitives by Kathy line - both appearing in the magazine! Below, you will only find a tease of what is featured in this inspirational article. ENJOY, and please find yourself a copy, a cozy chair, some hot chocolate and a little time to just pour over all the delights! Many thanks to the very kind staff at Country Sampler for sharing this article with so many. And, another big thanks goes out to my friends “photographer/stylist/writer” duo Donna Pizzi and Philip Clayton-Thompson of Blackstone Edge Studios who did my mom's photo shoot! It looks wonderful and so very inviting..... ~ Johanna


* A primitive wooden washtub holds a live tree, decorated with all sorts of handmade ornaments...


* One of my original Santa candy containers marks this page showing my parents' living room filled with holiday folk art collectibles...


* An earlier Snowman original of mine adds a festive touch to this page featuring my mom's colonial mantel and hearth, beaming with holiday spirit...


* A trio of my papier mache belsnickels offered by Primitives by Kathy proudly stand at center between two inviting pineapples... To order my belsnickels, CLICK here!


* A fun grouping of snowmen that both my mom and I have created over the years... Some go way back!


* Page 25 features our trio of GiveAway items! Sign up today by visiting the image and links below ~ Good Luck! :)


* All entries must be received by November 30th, so hop on
over to Country Sampler's contest page and sign up to WIN!

Hope you enjoyed the tease! As this is a 10 page article, there are lots more photos for you to enjoy, so look for your copy today :)

PHOTOGRAPHS, © 2009 Emmis Publishing LP

Meet Howling Harvey....

It's October 13th, and I am left with just one more very special one of a kind Halloween creation in search of a home. I thought about keeping him for myself, after all the various times we posed together for the camera!- heheh... But alas, I did promise (in print) that he would be auctioned off this Fall, and well, I believe Fall is here! For those of you who have not seen, "Howling Harvey" my original Halloween folk art cat and I are featured in the Fall issue of Celebrate365 Magazine. The article "Behind the Design" with Johanna Parker explains my step-by-step process in creating this one of kind collectible from start to finish. Now, Harvey is up for auction along with a signed copy of this fun Halloween collector's magazine. CLICK HERE to visit Harvey's auction page, and thank you for your generous bids! Best of luck......

~ Johanna



* A close-up of the finished Howling Harvey...


* Looking back at my steps along the way, here I paint the details and texture of his face....


* Winner takes ALL!...