Patience is a Virtue...

Hello Friends,

I miss sharing with you stories and works in progress here on my blog. My posts have been more infrequent than I like, as it's the time of year when I catch up on my graphic design work for licensees while I tend to my list of special orders. That wish list is a rather long one, and my collectors have thankfully, been very patient. I feel compelled to share with you one special order in particular that I recently completed. My dear friend Patricia is one of many passionate folk art enthusiasts who has gently reminded me on occasion of her dream piece. Seven years ago when she first began collecting my art, she mailed a letter to me, describing her vision of a candy container dog resembling her cherished pet. Included were photos of "Butch." Presented with her challenge, I promised to make him when time permitted and when I could draw on my courage to capture his personality and sculpt him. But, three years later, Butch passed unexpectedly, and we were both broken-hearted. I assumed that I was too late in fulfilling her wish, but as time passed, she continued to ask for a folk art character in the likeness of her beloved dog. Days went by, months passed, and even a few years slipped through the cracks. I continued to assure her that one day Butch would come to life in my workshop. Last year as 2014 rolled in, a difficult decision to cancel our annual Holiday Open House made way for other opportunities that had been shelved. The many weeks of annual preparation for our event were suddenly open, and my special order list resurfaced. Patricia's wish was finally in reach, and I began sculpting her dream! For weeks, I had a slew of photos scattered across my workbench. There were snaps of Butch at play, Butch smiling, or lying around, opening gifts, taken from behind and above, or profiles and various angles, and all captured by a dear human who clearly adored her dog. I quickly bonded with this sweet character too as I began to build the structure of his head and the details in his ears and face. My fears subsided, and his spirit began to flow through my fingers. Then, JP gingerly sanded his nose and the ins and outs of his ears, and then I snapped some photos in the raw. Unbeknownst to Patricia, her cherished dog was FINALLY taking shape! That was it ~ I could not contain my excitement, and I had to email her with a surprise work-in-progress photo. Overjoyed, her response mirrored mine, with "happy tears" and all. Together we collaborated on the painted details, the color scheme and patterns. When I painted his face and the glints in his eyes, he really came to life! Late last night, Patricia received her "Butch" who will now serve as an urn to carry the ashes of her beloved friend. This morning I awoke to a very heart-felt message...

" Oh Johanna!  I don’t even know where to start!!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE him!! He is absolutely stunning, breath-taking, awesome, PERFECT!!! You did an incredibly wonderful job of capturing him!!! I can’t thank you enough for honoring and memorializing my sweet dog!!! My JPD original of Butch is so meaningful and one of my lifetime treasures! Thank you so much, my dear friend!!    

Sending love, hugs and very special thanks,

Patricia "

These heart-warming exchanges inspire my art. The interactions between artist and art collector are dear and form a special bond. I am honored to bring joy and smiles to others through my creations. And, when there is an opportunity to capture the imagination of another and manifest a piece of art through communication and creative exchange, the process is very rewarding. This is one of many intimate collaborations I have experienced that I wanted to share. This one in particular rises to the top because of the circumstance and the long interval and the patience had by all.



Art is a gift. I am grateful to apply my talents to such endearing creations. Memorializing a cherished pet through ones hands is a bit of magic. When I tap into that creative flow, imagination takes shape.



It is a pleasure to form something special with heart and hands, and then know that the art takes on a life and love all of its own.



This special piece promises to bring smiles, conjure memories and raise emotions for a lifetime to come.

With Love,
~ Johanna (…and Butch)

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I also want to thank my friends over at Patience Brewster who recently contacted me to blog in honor of "Inspire your Heart with Art Day." I was in the midst of creating this heart-themed piece when their email came in, so their timing was spot on. Although I missed posting on the official day, it's fair to say that I am inspired daily to create. Patience is an amazingly talented artist with a very whimsical spirit, and her art has certainly uplifted and inspired me…. Thank you for thinking of me.

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Art from the Heart

Dear Friends,

As a gift of gratitude to you, I just added a PRINT & SHARE web page that offers a growing variety of FREE printable downloads featuring my art! You can also locate the link directly from my website's Home Page. Just in time for Valentine's Day, you can download several project files including a new pair of Love Bug cards! Add some glitter and lace or maybe personalize with a message and share with your loved ones. (NOTE: for optimum printing, please download the file, save it to your computer and then print from your new file) I appreciate your kindness and support, and this is my gift to you. May my art from the heart, spread smiles and cheer at all times of year! Feel free to email me photos of your finished projects. Perhaps I will compile a gallery page of your shared photos...

Happy Creating & ENJOY!

* LINK to FREE Printable Downloads *

These sweet cards feature my folk art photography. The Love Bugs were from a small collection of sculptures I made and sold for Valentine's Day 2014. Stay tuned for a few more soon to release this week! JOIN my Mailing List in order to catch one soon!

Follow along with me on:

     and Facebook!

Merry Christmas!

Thank goodness Jack still puts with our silly antics. Although on this Christmas morning, he was not quite in the mood to strike a pose where I wanted him to. Fortunately, we snapped a few decent pics of Mr. Jack in his latest holiday hat. And, since mom recently gave me a bag full of woolen scraps, I was inspired to make him a scruffy little Santa hat! ENJOY the silly photos :)

Wishing you many warm smiles and good cheer!

xo,
~ Johanna, JP & Jack

Your Holiday Photos Shared!...

What a JOY to see your photos, and many thanks to all who joined in on my FUN photo sharing giveaway! I know it was late notice, but for those of you that participated, you certainly brought a smile to my face. It is a treat to see my holiday creations, cherished in your homes! So, thank you again for playing. We had 22 entrants, and all those names were written on scraps of paper and tossed into a Santa hat. After a shake shake here and shake shake there, we drew a name…. 

Scroll all the way down to find the WINNER, 

and enjoy the photos along the way!

(You can click on each image for a larger view)

Merry Christmas!

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* Elma in Michigan *

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* Lory in California *

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* Amber in California *

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* Beverly in Nebraska *

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* Mona in California *

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* Dave in California *

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* Denise in Colorado *

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* Rebecca in Illinois *

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* Gina in Utah *

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* Leanne in Alberta *

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* Connie in Ohio *

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* Robert in North Carolina *

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* Mike in Florida *

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* Sammie in Texas *

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* Merrie in New Jersey *

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* Celeste in California *

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* Martha in California *

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* Janean in California *

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* Susan in California *

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* Yvonne in Colorado *

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* Tiffany in Virginia *

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* Ruth in California *

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And, the WINNER that JP drew from the hat is: Martha!

THANKS  to ALL for Sharing your holiday photos!

I LOVE them :)

~ Johanna ~

Collector Spotlight ~ Spirited Celeste!

Bring on the Holiday Cheer as Christmas is ever so near! It is my honor and treat to share with you a festive Collector Spotlight. My dear collector friend Celeste, who shares a love for all things holiday, has once again opened her cozy home to us! After she artfully arranged her holiday displays this December, she snapped a medley of photos for me to share with you! Celeste has been collecting my folk art for several years, and her cupboards and sideboards show the results of her passion. Amongst the art of others, I am honored to have such a special spot in her home! Not only does she revere my winter-themed characters, but she also has a weakness for my Halloween as seen in her original Collector Spotlight feature! We've connected several times at shows and at our open house, and it is the twinkle in her eyes and the joy in her smile that really resonates with me when she sees my latest creations. I love that my creativity can ignite a wonderment and inspire her imagination. As always, it is a joy for me to see my handmade creations delighting others and filling homes with good cheer. Thank you Celeste for welcoming us into your decorated home, and I appreciate that you have found a special place in your heart for my art! For those that have joined us, read along for a fun Q & A as you peruse Celeste's photos! ENJOY!




* Celeste's excitement for the holidays has a long history… I love her perky dress and curly locks as the  tinsel shimmers on the Christmas tree!



* A prominent piece for displaying treasures in Celeste's home is her antique Sellers Hoosier hutch,  or "The Better Kitchen Cabinet" as the vintage tag plate states. I agree, it's the perfect spot to showcase a medley of finds, both old and new! From the top to the counter and the shelves in between, she fills the nooks with holiday cheer. A clever blending of antique finds pair perfectly with the folk art characters that call this piece home.

Johanna: How did you learn about my holiday folk art?

Celeste: I first saw you at Halloween and Vine seven years ago, and when I found your booth, I had already spent all my money!! I was so sad..I brought my friend Mona over to your booth and said, look how cute these pieces are!!! Buy one, so at least I can see it at your house! So she bought "Dixie Dot"! Your web update was not long after that and I was so anxious, I was an hour early for it, I forgot about the time change!! I was able to get my first one that day, "Bailey Boo".

Johanna: Oh my, I still remember that email that you sent me an hour early before the sale! I'm so glad you snatched something special, and wow did that ever blossom into something special!



* At center is an original mouse candy container, one of Celeste's favorite pieces.  He's donned with painted stockings and perches atop an old Sparking Mint Puffs tin. (I too have this vintage tin in my collection!) An original cat ball and a snowman ball character surround the scene. Vintage glass sugar jars add a touch of nostalgia and a baker's delight feel. Holiday originals by Johanna Parker Design.



* Above,  one of my original kettle cup snowmen whistles a holiday tune! Celeste tucks him in with old boxes and tins. A sweet vintage style tree and other novelties complete the nostalgic scene.

Johanna: How long have you been collecting my originals?

Celeste: Seven years.

Johanna: Time sure flies! I was just thinking today that I have been making my folk art, full time for over ten years now. Crazy!

* Below, we take a closer look at my snowman ball character, snuggling up to that sweet green tin. Under a delicate glass dome,  a vintage Christmas tree twinkles.



* Off to the side, a pair of holiday ball character originals pose for their photo! As the snowman balances on a pair of antique glass shakers, a vintage camera sets the scene from behind. "Merry Be"says the cat! Holiday originals by Johanna Parker Design.

Johanna: What is it about my creations that captures your imagination?

Celeste: I love antiques and vintage things and I feel your pieces remind me of vintage holidays, say the 40's era. The hues you use are so rich and the expressions are so cute and whimsical, I truly love them.

Johanna: Ahh, you nailed it! I love that era too. Whether intentional or not, the style and flowing lines of the 30s and 40s decades just seep out of me when I create. 



* A white feather tree adds texture, twinkle and delight to the scene. Celeste has been collecting my ornaments, both originals and reproductions for several years now, and her treasure hunting has proven fruitful. One of my illustrated snowman hats cleverly crowns the top of her tree! Below, holiday characters clip and dangle from branches. She has been collecting my one of a kind bell ornaments for several years now and has acquired a hearty handful of these jinglers! Off in the distance, I spy a snowman sitter…. Let's take a closer look!

* Back at the hutch, this very limited edition snowman sitter from my Bethany Lowe Designs line waves a happy hello, while an original Santa ball character hails a "ho ho ho!" Christmas characters by Johanna Parker Design.



* More ornaments dangle in delight and spread good cheer. In the mix, a jolly snowman with carrot nose (bottom right) from artist Tammy Strum joins in on the fun! More characters, both original and reproductions by Johanna Parker Design are sprinkled in for a festive mix!



* As you take a stroll around the tree, more treasures peek through the branches including the two snowmen in red stocking and cone by Johanna Parker Design along with a whimsical snow-cone combo by artist Robert Brawley.

Johanna: Where have you had the best luck in acquiring my original pieces; shows, web sales, Collector's Catch, eBay, etc?

Celeste: Web sales

Johanna: That would make sense… I should call you "Speedy Celeste" with those fast fingers!



* A cabinet cubby calls Christmas with more Johanna Parker Design snowmen! Vintage style snow flake boxes are used for both holiday sentiment and perching posts. A sweet elephant Santa peeks out of a chimney by Jody Battaglia.



* Old coffee and spice tins add a tasteful touch to the holiday scene where both my Santa kettle cup and snowman bust settle. Vintage glass beads, old baubles and a bottlebrush tree add holiday shimmer.

* More antique novelties and an old coffee grinder set the stage for a reproduction Santa ornament from my Bethany Lowe Designs line and a jolly sweet snowman holding snow babies,  an original by artist Tammy Strum. 

* Up top, a limited edition snowman vase from my Bethany Lowe Designs line, bursts with a spray of shiny holiday cheer. An original owl kettle cup by Johanna Parker Design nestles amongst the antique tins and a sweet holly angel by Jody Battaglia adds balance to the arrangement.




* Towering "Icicle Ike," one of Celeste's most recent acquisitions, is one of her faves! He proudly perches next to a very special vintage 60s tree created by Vivian Parsons, Celeste's mother now in spirit. A smaller snowman ball character offers a sweet grin while a little holiday train carrying critters frames the scene. Both snowman originals are by Johanna Parker Design.

Johanna: Do you have a favorite piece in your Christmas collection?

Celeste: As many of your collectors have mentioned before it is hard to choose just one!!!! I love them all! But "Icicle Ike" is up there and the mouse candy container. I am koo koo for your egg cups though, as I love small things…

Johanna: Oh, I know it's almost impossible to choose a fave. I would have guessed egg cups for you too as I know how much you love those :) "Koo Koo" is appropriate in a fun egg-cup kinda way!



* Speaking of Egg Cups….. Look at the large family of characters that Celeste has been adopting over the years! In mass, they make quite the festive statement. I spy eleven little characters in cups with arms spread wide! In the background, the "'Take out Window" painted by the late Charles Wysocki, sets a magical winter scene while Wee Forest Folk ornaments dangle from a tree.



* A closer look reveals sweet little faces with bright eyes and delicate details. A row of beautiful general store style candy jars add a sweet touch, and some are filled with glass candy by Hulet & Hulet.

Johanna: Is there anything in particular you suggest I try making in the future?

Celeste: I would love for you to try making Halloween bell ornaments as well as a squirrel and a raccoon!

Johanna: All would be fun, and thanks for the suggestions! I'm still on the hunt for spooky-sounding jingle bells for Halloween. If anyone has a source for me, please let me know!



* Delicate snowman lollipops, holly leaves and berries and swirly candies and stripes are just some of the motifs that I've painted on these festive cuties...

* Across the way, Celeste has festooned her mantel with holiday finds created by doll maker artisans. The standing Santa Cat designed by artist Mark Roberts is quite a festive statement piece and reminds Celeste of her mischievous cat Millie! But, I imagine (from what I've heard) that Millie would not tolerate to wear that Santa outfit :) A sheer mantel dressing drapes over the edge and draws the eye to a pair of cute snow folk by an unknown artist. 

* Back at the tree, more delights capture Celeste's heart including a hand-painted dog ornament by Carolee Clark (top left) and a sweet cloth angel by Robin Armstrong Seeber (bottom left). Snowman medley by Johanna Parker Design.

I hope you enjoyed the Q & A as well as the holiday glimpse into Celeste's cozy home for Christmas! Many thanks again to Celeste for opening her home to us! It is a joy to have this chance to visit my creations through the lens of her camera, and I am pleased to see how carefully arranged and cherished my art is in her home. My wish is that my handmade characters continue to bring twinkle and delight to her eyes and smiles to those that enter her dwelling. 

To leave a message for Celeste or myself, please click on the "comments" link at the bottom of this post. Thank you!

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to you!

~ Johanna