A Spring Surprise!...

Whenever I see mom's cell number appear on the caller ID log, I know she usually has some juicy news! As much as I work, she gets out much more often to skim the various magazine racks for sitings as I call them. And, every once in a while, one of my product designs will make the editor's cut with a surprise appearance in one of our favorite magazines. This time, my "Spring Sign with Bunnies" is featured as a "country treasure" in the March 2009 issue of Country Sampler Magazine! How fun to see it in print and a treat to get a little complimentary exposure. I am grateful for that. Anyone interested in one of these whimsical signs can make their purchase through Primitives by Kathy, and as of today at least, they are selling for a super price.... just $5.00!....Snag one while you can!

~ Johanna



© 2009 Johanna Parker Design * Spring Sign in this post is the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.
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Introducing "Collector's Catch!"...

For 2009, I thought it would be fun to start a new surprise feature on my website (www.johannaparkerdesign.com). I am going to call it "Collector's Catch!" where at random, I will post an original piece of art without any advance notice. Above and beyond my scheduled web sales, this would be a special one of kind available to the first person who sees it, wants it, and contacts me via email to adopt it. So, check my FOLK ART ORIGINALS page often as you might be the first Collector to Catch one of these originals..... And, I just added a way for you to stay in the loop here on my blog! You can simply click on "Follow this Blog" at left, so whenever I add new posts, announce new web sales, ebay auctions, fun news, and perhaps a Collector's Catch tease, you'll be one of the first to know! Thank you for your interest, and I'll be in touch!



PS.... Keep an eye out on my website for the Collector's Catch graphic above. When I have something made and adoptable, you'll see it revealed between the open curtains!
~ Johanna

More Happy Artist Photos in Atlanta...

I'm still buzzing a bit from my trip to Atlanta a couple of weeks back. Fortunately, I had the great pleasure of meeting up with a talented artist friend and mentor of mine, Sharyn Sowell. We met via email a few years back when I was seeking art-related advice, and we have kept in touch ever since. The three of us met for lunch at the Mart, and then she followed me up to Bethany Lowe's showroom to see my designs. Here are a few photos that she snapped, and thanks for sharing those with us!... You can tell that we were all having a great time! :)

~ Johanna


* There's Sharyn & myself standing next to my spring product line.. JP took this pic!


* Me smiling big and getting in that spring mood! It will be here soon....


* Me and my proud hubby....


* Another big smile for the Christmas goodies!...


* And who could forget Halloween?! I love how these various treat containers turned out!!!

BooFest Artist Signing @ Atlanta....

As promised, here are some fun pics from last Saturday's artist signing at Bethany Lowe's showroom in Atlanta! For those of us artists who could come, we were instructed to dress in costume and be ready to sign our names many times over. Since the theme was Halloween (my favorite any time of year!) I decided to dress myself like I would dress one of my Halloween collectibles.... big papier mache buttons, black & white striped arms & legs, orange ruffles and of course one of my illustrated party hats! I seriously looked like a dork, but those who knew my work, understood my silly costume. :-) Enjoy the pictures and thank you to all who left me very sweet comments from my Day 1 posting!... Glad you are enjoying the photos!...

~Johanna


* Me in my silly costume, doing the "ta-da" thing in front of my Halloween product line!...


* A basket full of Halloween character clips that I signed throughout the night....black cats, owls and jack-o-lanterns were all part of the fun...


* Buyers line up to snag a collection of complimentary goodies and autographs from all the artists present...


* A fun pic of me and Bethany, the "fallen dark angel" for the evening...


* A silly group shot.... there's me, Dee Foust, Bruce Elsass & Vergie Lightfoot - love her expression!....


* Me and Wendy (a Stepford Wife for the evening) pose for the camera... Wendy is the graphic design genius behind Bethany Lowe Designs!...

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* A cute pic of my pal Vergie Lightfoot....She's wearing one of my Halloween hats and is ready to sign her autograph on some cute lapel pins...


* A festive group shot including Dee Foust, Teena Flanner, Bethany Lowe, me, Bruce Elsass, Vergie Lightfoot, Wendy Ahmad, Kathy Seburn & their friendly staff of devils...


* ( And thanks to Mandy of Maygreen Fairies for the "Your Blog is Fabulous" award :) *
I'm glad you enjoy it!....
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AmericasMart ~ Atlanta, Day 1...

I have just returned from an eye-opening experience at the international gift and home furnishings market in Atlanta! Wow! I only saw a teeny bit of what 4 downtown high-rise buildings had to offer, filled with showroom after showroom of vendors offering their wares for the new year. Our main purpose for the trip was to meet the kind and talented folks of Bethany Lowe Designs, see their fabulous permanent showroom which now includes my new product line and be present for a Halloween artist signing party! What fun!..... I have to say that I was in vintage eye-candy heaven upon entering their space. Everything, including the rare antique props were perfect for product placement and really a treat to see in person. Of what I saw, it was my favorite showroom, and I am so honored to be a part of that beautiful collection today! The following are photos from our first day's visit.... Stay tuned for images from the Halloween artist signing!....

~ Johanna


* Me standing at one of 3 entrances to Bethany Lowe's Atlanta showroom... This entry lead to my spring collection...


* A portion of my spring line greets buyers.... yummy yellow and blue birds serve as containers and bowls while bunnies dressed for spring sit and admire their surroundings...


* Meandering through, we encounter all of the various collections for Christmas... I was enamored by all of the vintage-inspired beaded and glass ornaments and garlands that looked so old and so loved....My holiday display was up and around the long harvest table where the black and white checkerboard floor began....


* Here's a peek at my Christmas collection, and be sure to click on ALL these images for a larger view. It was obvious to me that BLD had really taken the time to prop and display each collection. My Christmas nook had been painted a lovely soft hue of green to complement my pieces and allow them to pop!...


* More Christmas displays welcome guests and truly capture that holiday spirit no matter what time of year...


* Another entrance here invites folks with a love for all things Halloween to enter!.. As you pass through the glass door, you quickly come upon my collection of orange and black delights!...


* Here I am just thrilled to see my largest collection displayed so beautifully! My pieces were sprawled across the bottom shelf / counter of the large black cupboard, and my hats and ornament clips decorated the black feather tree...


* One of my 3 Halloween party hats festively perches on a tree branch. What a fun way to display these hats!...


* My papier mache candy cone characters with removable heads looked spooktacular hanging around amongst their friends...


* Another view of the various Halloween collections offers a chair to rest those tired bones...


* A pair of my Halloween candy containers await the trick-or-treat-loving buyers...


* My Halloween owl bowl proudly stands in front a pair of my illustrated Halloween plates, perfect for eating sweet treats. I am so excited about all of these fun and festive products!...


* And another one of my party had designs rests atop a feather tree branch...

This is only a glimpse into their most amazing showroom. They have so many visual delights to offer that I could spend my whole day in enchantment within their space!
What a treat to see it in person and feel so very welcomed! Thank you Bethany Lowe Designs!..... Please check back to see me and several other BLD artists in costume at the Boo Fest signing.....
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Happy New Year!...

Cheers to a purrrrfect and prosperous 2009!....(paws crossed!..)

~ Johanna, JP & Jack.... :-)