It Starts with Black & White...

Today, I thought I'd mix things up a bit, and I don't mean papier mache this time! I spent the majority of the day designing, sketching and illustrating Halloween party hats. Like the title of this post states, it all starts with black and white! My ink pens and illustration board were my main focus, and I began illustrating fanciful jack-o'-lanterns, expressive moons and stylized bats. These whimsical images will decorate the one of a kind party hats that my sculpted Halloween folk art characters will be wearing this fall. It's all part of my signature mixed media look that I began dabbling in back in 2003. I was looking for a unique way to apply my love for illustration with my fascination for sculptural work. Now, it's a tradition for me to make 2 - 3 new illustrated hats each year. Stay tuned for their finished look in full color!...

~ Johanna


* A series of thin arched lines reveals the darkened wings of a bat....


* Jack-o'-lanterns from my imagination take shape on illustration board....


* You can see the hats slowly come to life, anxiously awaiting a warm wash of Halloween hues...

* I look up to stretch my neck after hours of intensive drawing.....

Hope you enjoyed the peek in my studio!.... By the way, I have good news! As a token of my appreciation for all of my supportive collectors and friends, I will be hosting my first ever Blog Giveaway soon! I'm working on a special one of a kind to share with one of my lucky fans... In order to enter, I ask that you do one or all of the following (for multiple chances to win) = Follow my Blog.....Follow me on Twitter.... Leave me a nice comment on the upcoming Blog Giveaway post. So, stay tuned and keep checking back. :)

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

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Just Joined Twitter!...

Ok, so I took the plunge once again and just opened a Twitter account! Bear with me as I figure out this (new to me) social networking site.... So far, I changed my picture and added a whimsical background. Now, I just need some fun news and lots of followers :) To become a follower and receive art related updates...........
Go to: http://twitter.com/jparkerdesign Thanks for playing along!
PS.. last week I finally explored Facebook...... I'm wondering what next week will bring! Ha!...Like I have time...... :) Gosh, what would our ancestors think of all of this?!

~ Johanna

It's a Messy Job.....

But, somebody's gotta do it, right?! :) Today, JP snapped some photos of me mixing up a batch of papier mache. Let me tell you, it's sticky, gooey, and dusty all at once! Mixing this stuff is certainly not the most glamorous step, but it is indeed necessary if I want to sculpt anything. Lucky for me, JP recently upgraded my messy-zone and added a nice fan for ventilation so I'm not inhaling that dusty powder. Ahhhh...... Anyway, we were having fun taking pictures of the process, and I was hoping to get a little sympathy from you!....hehe! Enjoy the peek at a day in the life of a papier mache folk artist......

~ Johanna


* See how my left hand stays dry as it adds powder to the bowl, while my right hand gets wet while mixing the batch.....


* Watch out!... Frenzied folk artist on the loose!....


* See how it fills the cracks in my skin and packs deep under my fingernails.... Lovely....

* Mix mix mix as I smile.....


* I knew those long fingers would come in handy....

1st Halloween Original of the Year!...

Gosh, it's been about 5 months since I posted an original on eBay! Where does the time go? Well, this fun crow candy cup, initially intended for a spring color palette, evolved into a Halloween blackbird yesterday! I basically ran out of time and set him aside to paint later. Now that he's complete and the only Halloween original available from my home studio right now, I thought it would be fun to put him up for auction. If you agree and approve, feel free to place a bid :) I appreciate each and every one and thank you as always. You can visit this festive crow's auction page by clicking on the images below. Thanks for looking and playing along!

~ Johanna


* Inspired by EHAG's 3rd Birthday and "Frightful Fete" theme is this unique Halloween blackbird. With a festive bow tie and party hat, he is ready to celebrate!...

* He's frightfully sweet, candy corns and all....


* Watch out for that beak!...

© 2009 Johanna Parker Design * Halloween Crow is the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Happy Easter!

Wishing one and all a Happy Easter weekend!... May you have an eggcellent time with family, friends and all of your charming critter pals.

xoxo,
Johanna, JP & Jack


* Jack proudly wears one of my whimsical spring party hats for the season, fashionable for both people and apparently pets (if they are willing!).....

CATCH the Red Bird if you can!...

Calling all bird lovers!... A new Collector's Catch piece just posted on my website! GO TO my Website to see details and be sure to click on the image for more views and descriptions. I rarely make all-seasonal pieces, so this whimsical bird was a cheerful diversion for me. Please send me an email if you'd like to adopt this cute, one of a kind red bird, and later I will update the page to reveal who caught this collectible piece!....

Thanks again for looking!
~ Johanna
CONTACT: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com

UPDATE!.. My collector and artist friend, Kristi of The Old Oaken Bucket in Tennessee caught this birdie just a few hours after it appeared! Thank You so much!... It's always a surprise to see who will be the first to catch a piece!


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EHAG's Frightful Fete!

While I was away on a much needed vacation with my hubby, my fellow Halloween artist friends of EHAG were busy creating gifts for you! I was hopeful to participate in this special giveaway in honor of EHAG's 3rd Birthday, but the time slipped quickly by. Nonetheless, I invite you to peek at the unique Halloween creations they are offering to you. Just click on our Frightful Fete logo below and venture over to EHAG's blog! Good luck and may you be one of the lucky winners!

~ Johanna

Homegrown in the Gallery!...

Happy April 1st to all! Today is the commencement of TFA's first ever online gallery show! The theme is "Homegrown in the Gallery - A Spring Welcoming," and I have contributed a special one of a kind piece. The event now begins at noon today EST, and a portion of each purchase goes to the American Cancer Society, another portion goes to funding TFA's online artist directory, and the shipping on each artist's art piece is free! You can sneak a peek at my bunny candy cup contribution below. Just click on her image to visit the main sale page! THANK YOU! :)

~ Johanna