Journey to the Halloween & Vine...

Well, I can happily say that we safely crossed 5 states to and from California once again! This was our 5th year to venture out via the open road and reunite with Halloween collectors and artist friends. Thanks to JP, my hubby & zoom-zoom chauffeur-extraordinaire, we made it to and from our destination with ease.. Yay! Here are some pics from our happy travels, and stay tuned for H&V show pics soon....


* That's me in the mirror snapping an action shot of the Nevada desert... We were amazed by the deep blue hues in the shadows of these mountains...


* Here's one of our favorite spots to soak in the middle of no-where, Nevada... You take a dirt road, drive up a knoll and "voila!" you find yourself at a well-maintained hot spring surrounded by mounded grass, pussy-toe flowers and a beautiful panoramic view of Nevada's mountains... It's magical and a wonderful place to relax after 13 hours on the road...


* JP sits on the edge of a small wooden deck and warms his feet at Spencer Hot Spring...


* Another photo in motion through Nevada... The sandy terrain was strikingly white creating a visual contrast where sand met mountain...


* Here, conquering my fear of passing semi-trucks... Look closely to see "Kermit" our green beetle's reflection in the hubcap of this massive truck...


* Glowing lights form trails on the highway at night as we approach Petaluma... The sky was dramatic with the remaining glow of the setting sun...


* I'm a lucky girl as I have a husband that loves to drive! See how he smiles en route! When I get behind the wheel, the road completely hypnotizes me, so fortunately I was able to just sit back and enjoy the sites... and take some goofy pics!


* On our way back in Utah we had to stop at one of my favorite hot springs...This is the magical path that takes you to the most breathtaking soaking spot...


* It's called Meadow Hot Spring, and it's on private land, but the gracious owner shares this beautiful natural wonder with all who are willing to find it and of course take care of it... Thank you to whomever you are as it's an experience unlike anything I know!...


* There I am, soaking in the mineral water and enjoying that jewel-toned rocky bottom... It reflects and shimmers in rich hues of turquoise....


* JP submerges all but his head as this nature-made pool is so deep that it seems bottomless... I'm so happy that it's still accessible to the public, although we did have to pick up after the careless folks who were there before.... Policies for such a place are to clean up after yourself and others.


* A massive, Halloween-orange dragonfly rests atop a rope and posed for many photos... He and a matching friend flew and darted about in a whimsical dance over our heads while we enjoyed this serene experience...


* A play on reflections..... Here in this magical place, I appear to have 4 arms!


* A shiny silver tanker truck reflects our image as we speed by on our journey back to Colorado!

So, that's a peek into our cross-country adventure. I will be posting some photos from the Halloween & Vine show soon, but I need to catch up on my sleep for now :)

~ Johanna

Trunk Show Visions!...

My warm thanks go out to all the folks that put on such a spooktacular Halloween show yesterday! It's amazing how Leo's (super clean) Garage was transformed into an eye candy fest for all... thanks to Sam Robinson's clever eye for style! I snapped some quick photos before the doors opened (which is why some are kind-of a blur!) to give you an idea of some of the vendors' Halloweenish offerings. Also, THANK YOU to all my cherished collectors who made a special effort to come out and see us! Your kind words and smiles and support for my Halloween folk art are always so appreciated, and after such a great show, I feel both re-energized and so very grateful to be able to do what I love to do thanks to you :)

So, again thank you, and enjoy the photos as many of you told me that you enjoy reading my blog!
(Next weekend, we do it all again with a new collection of one of kind Halloween delights in Petaluma, CA at the Halloween & Vine!.....)

~ Johanna


* That's me before the show posing in front of my cupboard, lined with one of a kinds...


* My booth with my reproductions and notepads at left and originals at right...


* New Halloween notepads line a handmade shelf that JP made & illustrated candy boxes hang from the skeleton of an old lamp shade...




* These are the originals I decided to share with the Denver crowd...Only a few were
left by the end of the show, but no worries as I have LOTS more set aside for the Halloween & Vine next weekend!...


* Reproduction candy corn ornaments hang from a bouquet of branches as Halloween lolly pop ornaments tease shoppers...new jack-o'-lantern and black cat candle holder designs were unveiled as well..


* A vintage pick-up truck greets guests as they arrive & piles of pumpkins with personality were up for adoption...


* A wall of harvested corn stalks sets the autumn mood.... black & orange pansies anyone?


* Sam Robinson's booth welcomes visitors as they enter... (that's Sam's mom chatting with
Kirsten from Pearl who designs artsy fun fashions)


* Halloween goodies line a table in Sam's booth....


* Patchwork owls, standing jack-o'-lanterns and fall-themed glass jars top and fill a rustic cupboard in Sam's booth...


* A black cat welcomes shoppers in Kate's booth... She operates an adorable shop in Denver called Pome...


* A peek at Erica McNeish's sweet skelly cupcake delights and peanutbutter fudge brownie treats.. YUM YUM YUM as always!


* Teddy Marcum's festive table of hand-painted boxes for Halloween! What fun :)


* And... me again :)
© 2008 Johanna Parker Design * Images in this post are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Denver's Halloween Trunk Show!...

...Is tomorrow! Doors open at noon, admission is free and all lovers of Halloween are welcome :) Please join me along with other artisans and exhibitors of Halloween novelties and fall-themed goodies for an intimate gathering to celebrate the commencement of autumn and of course our favorite holiday! We'll be there till 7pm, and I hear our in-house food stylist, Erica McNeish will once again offer her delectable eats! If you're in the hood, please stop by!

~ Johanna

Twinkle meets Twinkle!...

My Halloween Fanatic friend, Robert somehow succeeded in twisting my arm around and around for a very special piece! I have a long list of Halloween requests, which I do intend to make for my collector friends when time permits. However, this unique bulldog is the only finished custom order I can cross off my list so far... (hey it's progress, right?) Anyway, I'm not sure how long it took him to set up this photo, but what fun! His adorable dog, Twinkle finally got to meet her artist's rendition in papier mache.. I hope she likes her :) Thanks for sending this cute photo Robert!

~ Johanna


* The two Twinkles meet face to face... sniff sniff sniff....


* A studio pic of the finished "Twinkle" before her journey to meet Robert & his dog...

PS... Looks like Robert likes her!.... You can see extra pics of Twinkle on his blog here!

© 2008 Johanna Parker Design * Candy cups in this post are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Behind the Scenes...

I don't know why, but I thought I'd share with you a peek at the glamorous and colorful life I lead as a Halloween folk artist. Today was an exceptionally messy day (probably because I am so frantic to finish my work in time). Anyway, I spilled my mucky gray paint water all over myself and the floor and also kept dragging my fingers across my wet paint palette. I'm sure by the end of the day, I had it all over my face, but I jumped in the shower too quickly to look! While I was in the midst of making my daily mess, I looked down at my hands with a laugh to see them spotted and stained in various hues of Halloween. At least I can giggle about it! While admiring my custom-colored fingers and palms, I noticed that my paint palette, layered in uneven mounds of thick color, had its own contemporary charm! So, I decided to take some behind the scene photos!

~ Johanna


* I'm grateful for these hands (however messy they are!)

... Any palm readers out there?....  :-)




* Would you hang this on your wall? :)


* Ahhh, yes it's my trusty old paint palette... eventually, I'll peel all of that hardened paint off and start all over again....

Halloween Labels for YOU!...

For those of you that like to cut and paste, play and create collages and add pizazz to everyday objects, I have something fun to share with you! Pick up a copy of this year's Better Homes & Gardens Halloween Tricks & Treats Magazine, and go to page 14... There, I have shared a trio of fun Halloween label ideas with you to try! This How-To article features an illustrated label of mine, applied to various items and also includes a web link for you to visit and download my graphics (for free!) So, look for this cover at the store, get out your scissors and tape and enjoy!

PS.... For those of you who have had trouble retrieving these graphics on BHG's website, try this instead:
http://www.johannaparkerdesign.com/images05/BlackCatCards-1.pdf
(It may take a few minutes to load, but the resolution is high and your print output should be good quality!.... Let me know if it works!)

~ Johanna


* This annual publication is a great resource & idea guide for any Halloween fan!


* A peek at my how-to article with fun ways to dress up everyday objects...


* Here's that silly Halloween kitty!...

PS.... Don't forget to visit pg. 91 and read Scott Smith's (Rucus Studio) article on his fabulous Halloween art & decorated home! We'll both be at the Halloween & Vine Show this month & hope to see you too!

Labels, designed by Johanna Parker, Copyright 2008, Meredith Corporation