R & R....

Ahhhh, I'm still reminiscing over our 3 night R&R getaway last week to the mountains. JP and I enjoy rejuvenating ourselves in the hot mineral waters that seep from the earth here in Colorado. And even though it's quite chilly outside in February, a soothing soak in those steamy waters warms us right up!

A quick escape to the Collegiate Peaks offered the perfect refuge. We spent our first night in a newly built cabin at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs and enjoyed soaking in their hot pools that line the river below. Then, the following days, we enjoyed taking several dips in our very own private bath just up the road. There, we stayed in a cozy, turn of the century cabin, reading Eckhart Tolle's inspirational books while enjoying the warm glow of a fire. Both cabins included all the amenities, so we took our food in tow and enjoyed making meals for one another....

It was great!... And I realize that we need to do that more often to recharge and reconnect with both one another and with ourselves. When life gets crazy-busy as often ours does, take a break..... Go soaking :) And, I feel so blessed to live in such a picturesque place that can easily take my breath away and warm my soul!

~ Johanna

* The view before our descent down to the cabins nestled along the river... Brrrrrr, but yet how breathtaking......


* The hazy steam from the hot spring pools alongside the river surrounds JP soaking below....


* I stand in front of the old Cottonwood Log Cabin..... Look at the snow!


* I sneak up to steal a pic of JP in the private pool right outside the Cottonwood Cabin...


* JP starts the fire with a smile... Soot from many fires ago creates a time-worn patina between a wall of various-shaped quartz rocks...

Happy Valloween!

Well, as you know, it is the month of LOVE.... And this year, the Eclectic Halloween Artists' Group (EHAG) has put a loving twist on our passion for Halloween! Our group challenge was to create a "Valloween" piece for eBay, and luckily I was able to squeeze in the time to participate!

Click on the 2 photos below to visit my auction page to see more images, details and to bid if you so desire! It's a 7 day auction, ending on Sunday, Feb. 10. Dear winner, with a quick payment via Paypal, I can ship this sweetie to you on that following Monday, in hopes he will reach your home right on Valentine's Day! Remember, you can always
search under "EHAG" to see what various artist members are offering. Right now, the theme is certainly Valloween! THANKS for LOOKING!

xoxo,
~ Johanna



* Our EHAG group banner for this month's group Challenge...


* You can see the Valloween love-exchange between the blushing cat and the sweet Jack-o'-Lantern peering down at him on his hat ;-)


PS... It seems as though my email contact links on my web site may be misbehaving again. :-(  Please note that you can email me at either johannaparker@mac.com or johannaparker@qwestoffice.net. When I get this worked out, I'll let ya know!
© 2007 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Blossoms of Light...

A few nights ago, JP and I made a date to experience the Denver Botanic Gardens' magical exhibit of glowing lights. Despite the cold factor, we had a fun time, but we did find ourselves walking with a brisk gait in order to keep warm...brrrrrrr! After we walked through the twinkling gardens, we stopped indoors for a dose of heat and to visit a colossal display case that JP recently built for the gardens to house their botanical drawings in.... I'll post some photos below..... Enjoy...

~ Johanna


* Me, in silhouette, sitting on a bench in front of a glowing tree.....


* A closer look at the tree above...Wow! What patience they must have had wrapping those lights so tightly around and around that trunk!


* Peek-a-boo!... Can you find JP?.....


* Me, crouching below a trio of red & white striped trees.....


* JP on a magenta-lit path leading to the main building.....


* Indoors, JP stands in front of this amazing display case that he built for the gardens...


* A closer look at the beautiful Pomele Sappele wood that makes this showcase so stunning....

Rise & Shine!...

* Another illustration from my new line of notepads.....

Happy 2008! It's the 11th day of a new year, and I have been so busy that I have not made the time to visit my own blog. My hubby and I have been on a cleaning and organizational spree since '08 rolled in. With a little motivation and planning, together we have transformed my messy studio room into an efficient work space for the both of us to actually "function" in! Ha!.... Now, he even has his own desk, and I can actually find my drafting table! I avoided it for months, especially during my busy season where I spent long days in the basement sculpting. But, I have to say that it's worth the extra effort to take a little time to wade through the piles and organize! We even took a little field trip to the Container Store to find a few fun alternatives to store our "important stuff" in rather than letting things pile up and allowing the dust to settle....

Now, we're on to the basement for more fun! Oh boy, that WILL be a challenge....

When I get a sec, I'll take a few pics and post them here. For now, I just wanted to check in and say hi and encourage you to get on with the organizational projects too! Everybody's doing it! Join in on the fun :)

~ Johanna

New Designs for a New Year...

As this year nears it's 365th day, I realize that we are about to start Chapter 2008. What opportunities and challenges will I face, and what creative projects will I start and hopefully finish? This nearing new year holds the answers, and I am hopeful that it will again be a year of abundance, inspiration and exciting possibilities.

Unlike this year, I hope to make more time for my illustration passion in the months to come. I spent so many of my days sculpting and painting my folk art in 2007 that I barely made space to draw. Fortunately, I was able to illustrate a small, but fresh collection of notepads for the new Primitives by Kathy '08 catalog. With little time to spare, I centered my designs around my love of nature and animals (of course!). So, I'll post a few of these latest drawings below. My fingers are crossed that I can spend more creative time developing my illustration portfolio and perhaps someday be able to offer you a line of greeting cards, party ware, children's books, etc etc etc.......

Happy New Year to all, and may this next chapter be filled with joy, imagination and many blessings!

~ Johanna


* Hmmm, birds perching and fluttering around feeders certainly do look familiar... I guess my bird-watching hobby inspires my art!
© 2007 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.
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