Thursday, October 31, 2013

A Happy Halloween to You!


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

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

Happy-Halloween-Johanna-Parker-Blog

* 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 :)

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Tuesday, October 22, 2013

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!...


Collector-Spotlight-profile-Donna

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!

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Halloween-Busts
* 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...

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Carnival-Halloween-Shelf
* 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!

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Bat
* 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.

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-on-Shelves
* A wider view captures a pair of Nicol Sayre's art dolls, joining the Halloween folk art gathering...

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Owl-Vase
* Another grouping of folk art artifacts includes my striking Halloween owl vase, Johanna Parker Design. You can enjoy the full arrangement below...

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Halloweeen-Setting
* 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

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Clown-Bird
* 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!

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Witch-Bust
* 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's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Novelties
* 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!

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Button-Cat
* 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

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Spider-Bust
* 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...

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Black-Cat-Kettle-Cup
* A black cat kettle cup with illustrated hat, by Johanna Parker Design, makes for an intriguing grouping with other novel, antique finds...

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Perched-Owl-on-Jack
* 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.

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Halloween-Moon-Folk-Art
* 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.

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Grouping
* 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...

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Screampunk-Owl-zoom
* 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...

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Screampunk-Owl
* 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!

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Black-Cat
* A closer image of Nicol's bat witch show's her paired with my mini cat bust...

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Lumina-Jack
* 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's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Early-Jack-o'-Lantern
* 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!

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Witch-&-Spider
* A wonderful standing witch by Nicol Sayre enjoys the company of my leggy spider, by Johanna Parker Design...

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Owl-&-Bat
* An original owl candy container, again by Johanna Parker Design enjoys the company of a perching bat by Lori Ann Corelis...

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Standing-Spider
* Taking a closer peek at the Johanna Parker Design spider reassures us that he is indeed a friendly fellow... Thank goodness!!!

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Owl-on-Shelf
* 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...

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Candlestick-Spiders
* 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's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Spooky-Christmas
* 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!

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Christmas-Kettle-&-Egg-Cup
* 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...

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Christmas-Characters
* 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.

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Valentine-Owl
* 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!

Donna's-Photo-Johanna-Parker-Collection-Spring
* 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

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Tuesday, October 15, 2013

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

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*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

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* 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

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*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

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* 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

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* 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

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* 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!


Monday, October 14, 2013

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


Saturday, October 12, 2013

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


Johanna-Parker-Halloween-Artist

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

Johanna-Parker-Halloween-Backdrop

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

Johanna-Parker-Jack-Ornaments

* 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!

Johanna-Parker-Candy-Boxes

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

Johanna-Parker-Halloween-Chair-&-Owls

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

Johanna-Parker-Halloween-Decorations

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

Johanna-Parker-Halloween-Cat-&-Owl

* 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...

Johanna-Parker-Halloween-Booth

* 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...

Johanna-Parker-Owl-Ornaments

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

Johanna-Parker-Halloween-Umbrella

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

Johanna-Parker-Halloween-Display

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

Johanna-Parker-Halloween-Originals

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

JP-d'Andrimont-Halloween

* 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!

Johanna-Parker-Original-Candy-Containers

* 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...

Johanna-Parker-Original-Owl

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

Leo's-Halloween-Garage

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

Halloween-Collectors-Gathering-Outside

* 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 :)

Halloween-Trunk-Show-Garage

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

Collecting-Frenzy

* 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....

Erica-McNeish-Treats

* 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!

Erica-McNeish-&-company

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

Erica-McNeish-Popcorn-Skull

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

Sam-Robinson-Halloween-Cupboard

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

Sam-Robinson-Halloween-Goods

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

Sam-Robinson-Halloween

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

Sam-Robinson-&-Cindy-Habermann

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

Cindy-Habermann-Originals

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

Heide-Murray-Felted-Originals

* 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...

Heidi-Murray's-lil-Entrepreneur

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

Junior-Trunk-Show-vendors

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

Kara-Rosenberry-Creations

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

Kara-Rosenberry

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

Mysti-Gulsrud-Dia-de-Los-Muertos-Jewelry

* 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-Magic-Fairy-Candles

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

Monica-Moonlight-Clay-Inspirations

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

Fern-and-Sprout-Delights

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

Mandy-Yocum-Fern-and-Sprout

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

Scott-Hildebrandt-Mister-Christmas

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

Mister-Christmas-Creations

* 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...

Kids-in-Wigs

* 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



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