It's Halloween!

....And it's also my Birthday! :) Candies, cakes, costumes and gifts, ALL in one day! When I was little, I used to think that everyone had costume parties and masqueraded around on their birthday. Later I realized that I was just unique - he he!... Well, I'm not sure if I will be dressing up this year or not - sometimes these things happen at the last minute. But I did gift myself with a little handmade kitty that I just could not sell. I really like how her sneaky little grin adds mischief to her character! So, she will be staying home with us as we greet the trick or treaters....After that, who knows what may happen on Halloween night!..... Hope everyone has great fun!

Cheers,
~ Johanna


*...here's Trixie....

© 2008 Johanna Parker Design * Folk art cat is the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Ghoulish Giveaway on EHAG's Blog!...

You may be the next lucky winner of a spooktacular Halloween collectible from both myself and several other members of EHAG, the Eclectic Halloween Artists Group! EHAG now has a blog, and to celebrate Halloween and thank all of our generous collectors, we are giving some Halloween goodies away! Simply join in the fun by clicking on EHAG's Ghoulish Giveaway. Once you're there, just leave us a comment and your name will be entered!..... You'll have a chance to peek at our Halloween offerings as well as read more details about the giveaway and our artists. Remember to save EHAG's blog in your favorites, visit often to say HI, and see what tricks this eclectic group of Halloween artists is up to, year-round! Good Luck & THANKS for participating! PS... a sneak peek of my giveaway piece is pictured below... He's a signed piece from my collectible reproduction line!

~ Johanna


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

Colonial Halloween at Mom's...

As busy as this month has been, I focused my energy making Halloween fun for others rather than decorating my home... (hopefully next year, I will have more time :) However, my mom has been decorating her colonial-style home up in Washington state with her growing collection of orange and black delights!...On display this month at the Parker's house is a fun variety of folk art pieces that we both have made over the years. She sent me these photos recently, and I thought I would share them with you! ENJOY.....

~ Johanna


* The russet red-colored walls of their dining room is the perfect backdrop for a Halloween harvest theme...


* A fun collection of my Halloween ornaments dangle from a spooky grouping of twigs...


* A smiling jack-o'-lantern reproduction design of mine peers out of a cupboard nook...


* The jack-o'-lantern candle holder and black cat candy bowl are ready to greet friends and trick-or-treaters... These designs of mine are offered thru Primitives by Kathy...


* A work in progress hooked piece that mom designed and is currently working on... cute!....


* A pair of papier mache characters I sculpted a few years back join in with mom's yellow ware collection and her hand-painted Halloween lids...


* A cozy Halloween hearth welcomes all who enter... at second glance I ponder what is growing in the baby cradle??!!! he he...


* A pilgrim-style witch bust I sculpted a couple of years ago fits right in with mom's colonial home character...


* Another hooked piece mom made decorates a primitive tabletop in the foreground...


* Here stand two candy containers of mine that now live with mom... The one at left was my first owl piece ever and has inspired many more since!...


* Speaking of owls, this one is a reproduction design of mine, offered thru Primitives by Kathy...


* A grouping of Halloween pillows, designed and created by mom.. What fun!


* This piece has a history indeed!... Mom and I sat down to sculpt about 6 years ago, and I created this cat in a jack... In the process, I realized how much I missed the tactile arts for at the time, I was a corporate designer, working in TV news graphics... After adding the paint, my cat came to life and what a thrill! (today he seems pretty crude, but at the time, I was inspired) Of course, he needed a necklace to finish his look. Mom only had tin snips, so off I went to play with wire and.... Oouch! I sliced open my hand with those snips! So, needless to say, I was rushed to the hospital and stitched up like Frankenstein. Obviously, it didn't stop me though!... :)~

Just A Few Halloween Sets Left!...

If you missed my Web Sale yesterday, you'll find that all of my Halloween one-of-a-kind pieces found homes, and I thank ALL of you who played along. It was an adrenalin rush! However, I do still have a few sets remaining of my signed Halloween reproduction combos which include a series of my illustrated notepads!... I'll post their photos below, and you can click on them for details and an enlarged image. If you'd like a set for yourself, just send me an email! Many thanks!

~Johanna





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

Celebrate365 Interviews Me....

Just last month, Connie Porcher of Celebrate365 (The Premier Magazine for the Year-Round Ornament Collector) contacted me for an artist interview!... I was thrilled for the opportunity to share my Halloween collectibles with her readers and also honored to be amongst many others selected as "some of America's best-known folk artists"...! Thank you Connie! :) Well, I just received my issue, and what a treat! Not only am I in there, but many of my Halloween artist friends are in there as well. Each artisan is asked the same questions, and it's fun to see all of our unique responses. Whimsical images of Halloween folk art fill the pages, and there is even a feature story on one of my very first Halloween art collectors, Sharon Johnson! My friend Matthew Kirscht's Halloween imagery is painted across the cover as well, so it's a pleasure to be a part of this collectible journal.

For those of you serious collectors out there, Celebrate365 is a must-have as it features today's holiday folk artists, ornament designers and the means to contact these creative folks. Again, I'm honored to be a part of this season's issue. :)
~ Johanna


* A snipit from my article... The JOL now resides with Jason Walcott & the owl candy bowl will be available thru Bethany Lowe Designs next year!... Click on the image to see my full interview!....


* A fun grouping of my various Halloween creations appearing in Celebrate365...The JOL ornament is available thru Primitives by Kathy, and the other originals happily live in my collectors' homes across the country!...

NOTE: Celebrate365 is published four times a year, and the issues cover ornament lines from A to Z, along with collectible holiday art. Each issue offers information about both contemporary and vintage styles. www.celebrate365.com

Autumn Inspirations in Colorado...

I love this time of year in Colorado! The mountains glow in brilliant shades of orange and gold as the aspens change each fall. It's a full sensory experience when the wind whistles through their leaves and they twinkle in the sunlight. JP and I decided to get at least one hike in while the colors where at their peak. I have to say, that trail was quite the challenge! It was straight up the whole way, so I made many excuses to stop and take pictures as I tried to catch my breath along the way.... Enjoy the fall color!...

~ Johanna


* Looking up at the brilliant orange aspen leaves against a blue sky...


* The main road that we walked along before taking a side trail, straight up the mountain...


* JP stops at a gorgeous overlook near the tiny town of Eldora...


* Up up up the trail we go......


* A grove of glowing aspens captured my eye on one of my many breaks... Of course JP was way ahead of me....


* Look how their trunks twist and turn along the mountainside...


* Looking back across the tips of evergreen trees and afar to another mountainside gleaming in fall colors...


* Way way up there, JP stops to tighten his boot... I stop to slow down my heart!...


* Looking back at the progress we made..... whoowee!....


* After climbing 1,500 feet, I take a much needed break... :)

Last of the Halloween '08 Candy Cups!....

My unique Halloween candy cups have been a fun diversion for me throughout the year, and I have enjoyed sharing them exclusively on eBay..(and at my 2 Halloween shows last month) Anyway, these last 2 one-of-a-kind creations are now up for bids on eBay this week! Take a look if you like and thanks for your bids!!! As always, I appreciate YOUR art appreciation.... :)

~ Johanna



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

Visions from the Halloween & Vine...

Well, as promised, I will share some of the photos I took before the doors opened last Saturday at the Halloween & Vine! We were all in a frenzy before the clock struck 9, catching up with artist friends, arranging our displays and marveling at all the eye candy. So, I didn't have a chance to make all the rounds and snap pics of everyone's display, but this is only a tease and will perhaps entice some of you folks who have never been to come on out and join us! There's nothing quite like it :) If I haven't said it enough, I want to THANK all of my dedicated collector pals for coming out early to adopt a special piece! I hope you are enjoying your Halloween art originals! Now, for the photos.........And don't forget to click on them to see more!... {enjoy!}
~ Johanna


* A view from my table of the grand room of Halloween delights...


* Me in my orange & black, standing beside my table before the doors opened...


* I love this pic of my hubby JP peeking thru a grouping of my art...


* A quick snap of some of my Halloween characters waiting to be snatched up!...


* Another view from my table...There's the tip of David Bruce's display, then Scott Smith's, Nicol Sayre's and so on....


* Me again next to our last-minute logo configuration that seemed to get lots of attention! I'm glad it worked out considering that we put it together the day before we left for the journey....


* A pic of Vergie Lightfoot (who was next to me ) and her spooktacular table of goods... Ca-Ca-Ca....(inside joke :) he he!


* A close-up of Vergie's handmade treasures....Love those cats!


* Look at these creepy confections with attitude from Scott Smith! What fun!...


* Adorable bunnies and bears in vintage-style Halloween attire, made by the talented hands of Lori Ann Corelis...


* Sharon Bloom's colorful spread of hand-painted pottery delights...


* A sweet grouping of one-of-a-kind collectible dolls, made by the hands of Nicol Sayre...


* Festive Halloween clowns and jack-o'-lanterns made by artist William Bezek...


* Another view of the Halloween tables in Hermann Sons Hall with Allen Cunningham's creations in front center...


* A shiny tray of whimsical Halloween pendants & pins created by Ulla Milbrath...


* And a pic of myself and JP, who's such a GREAT help to me!...