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.
SaveSave

A White Colorado Christmas...

We woke up to a winter wonderland today... Reminiscent of a nostalgic scene from a child's storybook, the snow was falling and forming fluffy piles on the rooftops and across the frosty landscape. We bundled up in layers and went outside. I filled the feeders and took some photos while JP shoveled snow, creating little foot paths for us to find our way. I think we have about 5 inches and counting as it continues to fall in significant amounts.... I'll post a few pics below. Merry Christmas to all!

~ Johanna


* JP stands with shovel in hand, clearing a path to the front door...


* Small birds (I believe they are Juncos...?) peck through a layer of snow to find their seed...


* I made a covered feeding station for my squirrel friends... Now sheltered under an old chair, their food will stay dry....


* JP shovels a path up to our unfinished potting shed....

A Magical Christmas Party...

Last night, JP and I were invited to a festive party here in town. Our new collector friends, Dave & Yvonne have a true passion for decorating all things Christmas! Like something out of a winter's fairytale, their home's interior was aglow with magical lights, a forest of over 40 glowing trees, holiday collections and shimmering ornaments from every angle. I was drawn to their towering Christmas tree, twinkling with vintage bubble lights and an eye-catching display of colorful glass baubles. I'll share a couple of photos from the evening, but of course, they do not do their decorated home justice, so you'll have to use your imagination :) Happy Holidays!

~ Johanna


* Me, in my heels, yet dwarfed next to this spectacular tree....


* JP, sipping sangria and taking in the festive view from the upstairs balcony...

Bird Watching...

First of all, I want to thank all of you who kindly offered me headache remedies and advice via my blog and private email.... It seems I am not alone when it comes to migraines. Luckily, mine are fewer and farther between than they used to be, but they still can sneak up when least expected. Fortunately, I have been pain-free for a couple days and counting...

Here, in Colorado it's been quite frigid, and the snow that fell over a week ago remains in shady spots, painting the landscape in sparkling white. I sit in awe as I look out my sun room window, watching the tiny birds eat their daily seed. How do they survive sub-zero nights with their wee little bodies and stick-thin legs?! Yet, each morning, they are out singing their little bird songs, tidying their feathers and fighting over the best spot at one of our many feeders. They truly fascinate and inspire me, and I have become addicted to watching their daily patterns and behavior through the glass and sometimes even up close, nose to beak...

Here are a few recent photos looking out at their little world...

~ Johanna


* A male finch, dressed in holiday red looks up from his breakfast seed...


* A pair of sparrows perch on twisted bittersweet vines while the last of the berries wave in the wind...


* A Northern Flicker props himself on a feeder full of sunflower seeds... I love his ruby red cheeks and coral orange under-feathers!

Help My Head.....

Well, now that I've captured your attention with that most bizarre photo, (courtesy Apple Photo Booth on my Mac) I am looking for headache remedies.... For the last 3 days, I've awoken to a pounding migraine that seems to be on the move. It's as if the little characters of whimsy that live in my mind are parading around my head and getting a bit too rowdy... OUCH! I've noticed that if I tiptoe about the house, the pounding is less severe, but don't ask me to bend down, as standing up can be a real stinger, not to mention sneezing or any other pressure related activities......

I just tried dunking my feet in hot water while putting an ice pack on my head, but my impatience got the better of me, so I took a shower instead..... I did get a chuckle when Jack my cat walked in and saw my odd-looking head gear... he he.....

So, if you have a home remedy, I'm all ears. I have so much to do, but this on-going migraine is getting in my way, and I need relief...... HELP if you pleeeeeeeeease....

~ Johanna

I Feel Blessed....

As this year draws near to a close, I feel so grateful that I have chosen a path that allows me to share my talents and spread smiles via my art to so many others. Beyond that, I feel blessed that so many of you anticipate my art sales and are willing to add and collect my one of kind creations! Yet, only a few years ago, that goal was but a dream, and now those dreams have manifested.... It brings me great joy to create, knowing that each piece of art will find a home and that my holiday folk art will become a family tradition for generations to come. Thank you all for your loving support and for allowing me to do what I was meant to do :)

Before I say goodbye to my last collection of holiday characters for this year, I spent the day taking their portraits in various locations within our home.... Here are a few of the photos... ENJOY!

~ Johanna


* A trio of cheerful snowmen add holiday spirit to an antique child's stove and mint green vintage cooler in our sun room...


* Winter cats and snowmen line up on the holiday mantel...


* Santa, in his festive egg cup stands next to a funky old Christmas tree....


* More mantel characters celebrate the season in red and white...


* Unique snowmen-baubles frame a vase filled with silvered limbs...


* Candy-sweet winter cats pose on vintage tin boxes atop a mosaic table top...
© 2007 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.
SaveSave

A Collector's Hallowmas Decorations....

My dear collector friend Lyndy in California recently sent me these fun photos! She has a passion for collecting one of a kind Halloween black cats and has recently started acquiring a collection of my cat creations. With a clever eye and creative twist, look how she has combined her collection of Johanna Parker black cat candy containers within a holiday wreath! Here, spooky-fun black cats live in harmony with Christmas doves and winter delights! THANK YOU Lyndy for sharing these magical photos with us!

~ Johanna


* Lyndy's purrrfect Hallowmas wreath trimmed in festive bows, and an illustrated black cat candy box I designed trails below....



© 2007 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Holiday Open House...

We had a fabulous weekend here celebrating our 5th Annual Holiday Folk Art Show! I'm sending a warm thanks to all of you who stopped in for a festive dose of holiday cheer. It was delightful to see you, and we truly enjoyed your joyful response to the eclectic decor, folk art treasures and spicy aroma of hot cider on the stove. It's always fun for us to share our home with you, and I know that so many of you look forward to this event each year. So again, thank you for being a part of the tradition!

For those of you who missed out on the festivities, I'm offering a peek below... Enjoy!


* Me, moments before we opened the door.....


* Snowmen, holiday bird and candy ornaments hang awaiting to meet their new owners...


* One-of-a-kind holiday goodies traipse across the mantle...


* Jack watches for the first shoppers to arrive...


* A view from the front door includes a hand-crafted chest made by hubby JP which greets friends upon entry....


* JP poses beside his hand-crafted cash stands that he made specifically for our shows


* A group of one of a kind snowmen candy containers and ornaments decorate the mantle (now all sold to collectors...)


* A warm and inviting look at the front room before show time.....


* The shoppers pour in, in search of holiday delights....

By Sunday afternoon, the front room was looking a bit sparse indeed! Lots of collectibles left with smiling collectors, but luckily I set some goodies aside for my last Web Sale of the year, scheduled for Saturday, December 8th. Stay tuned!

Also, I just posted my last 2 Candy Cups on eBay, so click on the image below to visit their auctions! Thanks for looking, and I hope you enjoyed the pics! Happy Holidays!

~ Johanna



© 2007 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.
SaveSave