Hats off to Halloween!...

I took a little break from sculpting Bethany Lowe Christmas designs to illustrate a new series of Halloween hats for my one-of-a-kind characters. Each year, I make a point to create at least 2 new party hat designs for my annual collection of originals. This year, I will have 3, an owl theme, a black cat theme, and a whimsical stack of jack-o'-lanterns. So, now that the hats are ready, I need to sculpt the characters!

Anyway, I'll post a couple pics I took the other day when I was assembling these whimsical accessories.....

~ Johanna


* Jack, the real black cat decided to snag my seat, so I gave him a festive collar to match...Now, if only I could get him to wear one of my hats....hmmmm


* Hats, in various sizes, dry along my work counter and will be stored until I create the characters that will wear them....

© 2008 Johanna Parker Design * All contents on this site are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Garden in June....

Well, as promised, I've taken some more photos out in my perennial garden. June and July are my most favorite months to enjoy the colorful blooms and watch the plants grow! It's truly amazing how this perennial bed has come to life, and it certainly offers much inspiration to an artist like myself. I only wish I had more time to spend in it, but I try to at least peek in and walk the path each day, observing nature along with the birds and insects that frequent this space. ENJOY!...

~ Johanna


* The wooden arbor (which JP and I were married under in our parent's backyard) welcomes the curious and leads you along a flagstone trail....


* A view from the side glancing at that trail that we created almost 10 years ago...


* Richly colored magenta clematis flowers just bloomed and climb a column of rusty wire remesh...


* Red roses climb an old white fence in the foreground...


* Peeking in at the arbor, the garden calls you in....


* Old rusty treasures decorate the natural landscape, while adding interest and texture...


* The treadle of an old sewing machine serves as the base for a planter along with a funky old motel chair and milk can...


* Looking down across the top of an old rusty gate, flowers sprawl about in all directions...


* Brilliant orange blooms contrast against a field of green textures...


* An old scale serves as the perfect hanging container for annual flowers and alerts us when it's time to water again...


* A sweet northern flicker awaits his turn to feed on the seed...


* Another view of the arbor entrance....


* Looking back from the patio and out onto the yard...