The Purrrrrfect Halloween!...

It gives me great joy when I have the pleasure of experiencing bits of my wild imagination materialize before my eyes! As you may know, I have this fascination with placing conical party hats on the heads of my papier mache black cats. I know I am not the only artist with this urge to whimsify (if that's a word) the 4-legged creature companions we share this planet with. But, it is something I cannot resist! In fact, I just found myself making a mini party hat for my black cat, Jack! He is really a dear as you will see, and so, so kind to permit me to play out my silly fantasy. We had quite the chuckle as I dressed him for the occasion. He patiently posed on an old stool as we snapped shot after shot in utter amazement at his lack of concern. Perhaps, I am less of a loon than I had initially thought, for I have discovered that black cats truly do wear party hats! CHEERS to that, and may you have a purrrfectly HAPPY HALLOWEEN! ~ ENJOY ~ Johanna :-)


* Oh, look at that little dear in all his Halloween cheer...


* Picture purrrrrfect poser.....


* Loving that party hat profile.... utter cuteness!


* In the background... a glimpse of my original black cat firescreen, complementing the Halloween scene...


* No words necessary to describe this image.. hehehehehe!

* © 2009 Johanna Parker Design *Photographs are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.

Vintage Halloween Gifts...

With my Halloween birthday just around the corner, I had three wonderful packages of goodies arrive this week! Each box was filled with antique finds, and knowing me and my passion for all things vintage, I was certainly thrilled to tear into each and cherish my new (old) gifts, for those are the best kinds. Here is a peek at the contents treasured....


R A T T L E RATTLE rattle!!!!

* The first birthday box was from Mom! She's made it a yearly tradition to seek out and adopt vintage Halloween collectibles for my collection of antique novelties. Take a look at this fabulous black cat tambourine!.... She found this wonderful piece during her recent visit to Vermont.... LOVE it!

C L I C K CLICK click!!!...

* Another treasure from Mom! Look at the intricate witch and broom graphics on this old Halloween clicker! What wonderful detail..... It's just a little gem!


* To top it off, Mom made me this dear hand stitched pillow from dyed wools and an old army blanket that my Grandpa used to keep folded up in the back of his car. Both nostalgic and sweet, handmade gifts may well top my list of favorites! I think this jack-o'-lantern pillow is delightful, and I encourage Mom to make many more... Don't you?? ~ THANK YOU Mom :)


* Another delightful surprise arrived from a very thoughtful collector friend of mine! I believe Celeste was snooping on my blog ~ hehe! ~ and noticed my love for colorful pottery as I have it lining the shelves in my 40s style kitchen. She boxed up this yummy yellow Bauer casserole bowl, once used and loved by her own mother, and sent it to me! It arrived, filled with adorable handmade packages containing Halloween treats! THANK YOU Celeste :) You are so sweet!


* And the last box traveled quite a distance to find me! A small package filled with delicious chocolates and this most wonderful floral bakelite brooch safely arrived from my sweet mother in law in Belgium! She found this amber colored pin in an antique shop and thought I just may like it... But, of course! It's wonderful! THANK YOU Mamy! :)


* Speaking of vintage gifts, I thought I might add this collectible Munsters postcard to the mix! My sweet friend and black cat art collector, Lyndy Ward of TODAYSGOLD sent this little gem to me! She was offering 3 of these vintage novelties on her blog as a generous Halloween giveaway, and her black cat, Magick chose my name out of a catnip-sprinkled pile of entries. I'm feeling lucky :) Thank you Lyndy and Magick for sending me this fun piece from the past. I always loved the Munsters :)

And THANK YOU to all who have sent me such fun Halloween cards! Some intricately illustrated, others stamped and adorned with whimsical cutouts and rhinestones and others hand-picked ~ I cherish them all and think of you fondly.... And, I hope next year I will finally design and print my very own Halloween greetings and send them off to you! Wish me luck.....

xoxoxo,
~ Johanna

Peek-a-Boo at Home...

As the clock struck midnight, I pondered the thought of capturing a few of my Halloween characters in a haunting, night-time glow. The lights were eerily low as I tiptoed around the room with my tripod and camera. I framed each shot as JP experimented with shutter speeds and apertures that often send my right brain into a land of bewilderment... Together, we spent our Saturday night, or perhaps early Sunday morning capturing scenes of Halloween in our home. It was fun, and then I dreamt about snapping photos all night! Here's a Peek-a-Boo for you..... ~ Johanna


* Here is "Wise ol' Owlexander" from my 2009 collection of Halloween originals. I actually kept a few for myself this year so that I can enjoy their company. This guy rests atop a stack of vintage black candy tins and is the focal point of my Halloween mantel display.


* A warm, eerie glow casts across the mantel which displays a parade of Halloween delights. Vintage tin party horns gifted to me from treasured friends add a glimpse into Halloween's past and make the perfect companions to my Halloween folk art creations.


* A closer look at my reproduction Towering Owl Vase and his Halloween horn friends....


* And there's my reproduction Towering Bat vase guarding an assortment of vintage horns...


* I kept "Sissy Boo" too... I love the haunting overexposed glow that radiates behind her in this image! Yumminess.....


* Across the room, a little witch protects my collection of feathers on my "earth shelf." Here, seashells, collected rocks, feathers and other gifts from nature live harmoniously with my vintage style folk art and other antique finds...


* Again, I had to keep this little wicked witch for myself. She is from my new series of one of a kind Kettle Cups this year....


* And below, my reproduction jack-o'-lantern candy bowl holds an array of sweets and is surrounded by a fun display of Halloween card greetings from special friends, both near and far....

AND, Dear Collector Friends.... I know you love HALLOWEEN just as much as I do! If you collect my Halloween folk art, would you be willing to snap a few photos for me? When I have a moment, I would love to create a Collector's Corner page on my blog, showcasing your displays and Halloween finds.... You can email your photos to me at: johanna@johannaparkerdesign.com THANK YOU for sharing your collections, and I look forward to hearing from you :)

The Art of the Matter & GiveAway!...

FaaaLaaLa.........



I know it is still October, and we are ALL feeling that Halloween spirit in the air. But, I have been anxious to share with you some very exciting news! Turn to page 18 in the current November / December issue of Country Sampler Magazine. It has been out on the stands for almost a month now, and I urge you to pick up a copy for yourself as soon as you can because my mother's holiday folk art and colonial-style decorating are featured in a 10 page article! It is just fabulous! We are both so pleased as the editors included so many fun images of our Christmas folk art along with all sorts of wonderful decorating ideas from mom. To continue the excitement, both myself and my mom are contributing signed, holiday folk art in a special GiveAway Contest offered by Country Sampler! Keep scrolling to see the Kathy Parker original folk art snowman that will be awarded to a lucky winner! As for my contribution, I am offering a signed Santa candy container from my Bethany Lowe Designs line, and a signed belsnickel from my Primitives by Kathy line - both appearing in the magazine! Below, you will only find a tease of what is featured in this inspirational article. ENJOY, and please find yourself a copy, a cozy chair, some hot chocolate and a little time to just pour over all the delights! Many thanks to the very kind staff at Country Sampler for sharing this article with so many. And, another big thanks goes out to my friends “photographer/stylist/writer” duo Donna Pizzi and Philip Clayton-Thompson of Blackstone Edge Studios who did my mom's photo shoot! It looks wonderful and so very inviting..... ~ Johanna


* A primitive wooden washtub holds a live tree, decorated with all sorts of handmade ornaments...


* One of my original Santa candy containers marks this page showing my parents' living room filled with holiday folk art collectibles...


* An earlier Snowman original of mine adds a festive touch to this page featuring my mom's colonial mantel and hearth, beaming with holiday spirit...


* A trio of my papier mache belsnickels offered by Primitives by Kathy proudly stand at center between two inviting pineapples... To order my belsnickels, CLICK here!


* A fun grouping of snowmen that both my mom and I have created over the years... Some go way back!


* Page 25 features our trio of GiveAway items! Sign up today by visiting the image and links below ~ Good Luck! :)


* All entries must be received by November 30th, so hop on
over to Country Sampler's contest page and sign up to WIN!

Hope you enjoyed the tease! As this is a 10 page article, there are lots more photos for you to enjoy, so look for your copy today :)

PHOTOGRAPHS, © 2009 Emmis Publishing LP

Meet Howling Harvey....

It's October 13th, and I am left with just one more very special one of a kind Halloween creation in search of a home. I thought about keeping him for myself, after all the various times we posed together for the camera!- heheh... But alas, I did promise (in print) that he would be auctioned off this Fall, and well, I believe Fall is here! For those of you who have not seen, "Howling Harvey" my original Halloween folk art cat and I are featured in the Fall issue of Celebrate365 Magazine. The article "Behind the Design" with Johanna Parker explains my step-by-step process in creating this one of kind collectible from start to finish. Now, Harvey is up for auction along with a signed copy of this fun Halloween collector's magazine. CLICK HERE to visit Harvey's auction page, and thank you for your generous bids! Best of luck......

~ Johanna



* A close-up of the finished Howling Harvey...


* Looking back at my steps along the way, here I paint the details and texture of his face....


* Winner takes ALL!...

Halloween Goodies up for Grabs!...

Wow, what a day!...I hosted this year's Halloween web sale this morning and had a wonderful response! THANKS to all my collector friends who saved the date and time to join me and adopt a special original piece! I only wish I could have offered more one of a kind delights so everyone willing would have had something special to take home!
Luckily, I do have a few Signed Reproduction Collector's Sets still available, so those who may have left empty-handed can enjoy some Halloween collectibles of mine for this haunting season.... Click on the three images below for more details, and please let me know if you'd like to adopt any of these fun pieces that I have designed.

~ Johanna


* These two characters are a unique find! Both debuted in my Bethany Lowe Halloween product line this year!....


* Perfect for your Halloween candy stash, this Candycorn Jack-o'-lantern bowl is both functional and fun! He was featured in the September issue of Country Sampler and comes to us from Primitives by Kathy...


* And for the Jack-o'-lantern lover, this set is a must have! "Diamond Hat Jack" on the left also made an appearance in the September issue of Country Sampler and comes to us from Primitives by Kathy along with his ornament friend at center. The fun candy bucket fellow is one of my Bethany Lowe Halloween designs and was featured in Celebrate Halloween Magazine this year!...

Behind the Design with ME!...

Earlier this year, Connie Porcher, founding Editor in Chief of Celebrate365 Magazine expressed an interest in my blog post, It Starts with Black & White. How fun she thought it would be to offer a peek at my design process in her fall issue. I fully agreed, and then dreamt up a fun folk art cat project for her to feature. Fortunately, my article made the cut! The lovely spread, titled "Behind the Design with Johanna Parker" was pieced together by the very talented EHAG artist David Everett, who juggles his talents between sculpting amusing characters and designing graphics for print and web. Another treat by yet another talented EHAG artist is the bold cover design by Lori Rudolph, who too balances her talents between the world of sculpture and graphics. In all, it's an eye-catching, colorful issue filled with Halloween delights including a fun Collector feature on Robert Brawley, self-acclaimed as the Halloween Fanatic who has a rather large collection of my one of kind originals! So, there's much to see, and I highly recommend ordering your copy today!!! Just visit Celebrate365's Website and subscribe for full holiday inspiration...


* My article begins with: "Art Institute of Colorado trained graphic artist, Emmy winner, art director for an NBC news affiliate - Johanna Parker has an impressive resume. Since she left the corporate world behind and launched Johanna Parker Design in 2003, this self-assured artist has never looked back......"
To read more, order your copy today!


* "Howling Harvey" my Halloween folk art cat is featured from start to finish. I hope to offer him along with a signed copy of this issue on eBay very soon, so please join my mailing list for details!

A Peek at the Halloween & Vine!...

Gathering from the emails I have received, I know that many of you are anxious to see photos from the fabulous Halloween & Vine! Well, get ready :) I must admit, I have spent several hours just preparing these images, so I hope you enjoy them. This annual show is so unique, that it's my pleasure to share with you a glimpse into this year's festivities. As always, it flies by so fast that I never see everything I want to see nor do I have a chance to photograph everything that I want to capture. Or in some cases, the photos turn out like a big silly blur, so I'm featuring the best images I have to offer. Let's hope other artists do the same. Of course, I recommend attending the show if you really want to experience the sights and sounds for yourself! See you there next year, I hope!..... ENJOY!

~ Johanna ( PS: You can click on the majority of the photos to enlarge them! )

* One of two of my original standing owls that quickly flew out the door...


* That's me in my silly striped leggings standing in front of my table right before the doors opened!...


* A fun photo of JP and myself taken from the inside of our booth looking out! Thank You to the kind mystery man who took this happy pic!...

* There's my sweetie JP posing before the show started...


* A couple of my latest original vase designs. I call them "base chamber vases" as they have a secret compartment on the underside along with another place to stash goodies up top!... I hope their new owners enjoyed my little notes inside :)


* A festive pic of the grand hall with William Bezek's fine table of delights in the foreground!...


* Love this expressive gourd-like character created by Scott Smith of Rucus
Studio!...

* A wide view of Scott Smith's harvest-themed spread...


* Wonderfully fun Halloween characters by Laurie Harden! What a treat it was to finally meet her and see her highly detailed creations in person...


* A colorful snap of Allen Cunningham's whimsical goods, gone in a flash!...


* Another angle within the Hermann Son's Hall with Suzie Scott Studio's delightful table in the foreground...


* A peek at Ginny Betourne's comical Halloween creations that always make me chuckle!...


* A burst of color on Jorge de Rojas' fabulous table... My eyes were drawn to this spinning display holder filled with yummy looking shakers...


* A peek at Christy Silacci's fun-filled characters perching high and low...


* An adorable black cat by Lori Ann Corelis proudly stands atop an old top hat...


* A fun collection of Halloween delights created by master metal-worker, Nancy Aldabe of Nancy's Metal Art...


* One of Nicol Sayre's dear vintage inspired dolls holding the most wonderful parasol...


* A grouping of Nicol's wonderful art dolls takes you back in time....


* Bright whimsical faces on Sharon Bloom's table just make you smile!...


* Spooky fun characters cluster together on Katherine Webber's table...


* Another angle of the Hall with Vergie Lightfoot's fantastical display in the foreground!...

* A close up on one of Vergie's amazing black cats!...


* A quirky fun pair of jack-o'-lantern folks by whimsical artist Kerry Howard-Schimdt...


* And me once again, taking a deep breath, happy to be ready! (after months and months and months of work!)...
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