Project Green Gables, Texture Complete!

Well, it's time for my monthly update on Project Green Gables. With Halloween show season fast approaching, my progress on this labor of love has been intermittent. However, I have good news! After hours of intensive application, all the dimensional elements and overlaying texture have been applied, and the gable is ready for paint! Yay! Today, we brought home a quart of vintage green paint and JP has already coated the entire base in this lovely hue. As time allows, I will be dry-brushing on the cream accents to allow my design to pop. Stay tuned for more updates here and scroll down to my previous blog posts to see all the various phases of the project.....

Best Wishes,

~ Johanna

* And there she is in her sprawling beauty!  :) Click each image for a larger view...




* A closer glimpse reveals all the woody texture that I applied to the various scrolling vines...



* And here's a zoom on the right bird's profile, feathers and all...



* Another perspective helps to express the dimensional qualities of the sculpture...



* And of course, we have a few blossoms to round out the design...



* As well as a perched cutie facing forward...



* And a third bird completes the composition!



* Jack didn't offer too much physical help it seems, but he was often by my side, keeping me company. However, that big yawn probably means that he's about over this project and ready for me to get back to my Halloween black cat making! :) And that's probably a good idea given the date! I hope to See YOU at the Glens Art Walk! I better get busy!....

You can also Follow along with me on INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK & PINTEREST

Spring Folk Art Delights...

My spontaneous Spring Folk Art sale debuted this evening, only via my e-Newsletter, and I want to offer my THANKS to all of you that adopted a collectible original. I know some of you were anxiously awaiting for the sale to start with eyes peeled on the 'ol inbox! Thank you for your perseverance and your patience. I wish I had made more pieces to go around, but I appreciate the interest of so many art-loving friends hoping to acquire a special piece! For those of you that missed this sale, you can peek at my "Spring it On" Newsletter for links to more photos of each piece. Prior to the sale, I snuck a few artsy photos of these blooming delights. So, Enjoy!

Happy Spring,
~ Johanna



* A sweet tulip egg cup blooms from a vintage flower-shaped ice cream bowl! I love mixing my old pottery with my folk art....



* A trio of spring folk art characters nestle together on an old green serving tray. McCoy pottery finds, turned upside down, make the perfect pedestals...



* More pottery, in various shades of blue and green, complement the painted earth and sea hues of this sweet owl egg cup....

 


* Folk art tulips blush while posing for another photo. A primitive garden trellis adds design interest to the background...



* And, this sweet tulip bust was the perfect topper for a lovely antique Roseville vessel...



* A chocolate brown bunny looks delish on this vintage pink serving dish...



* And a pair of chocolate brown folk art cats take a spring sun bath together......
Purrrrfect :)


Follow along with me on:

     and Facebook!

Spring it On!...

Hi Friends,

It seems that my blog posts are fewer and farther between these days, Although I have had good intentions to post and share here, time has been slipping away. For some reason it seems that the hours are speeding up, and my to-do list often falls short! I hope I am not alone! Lately, I have favored the convenience of snapping a quick photo with my phone while I work and simply posting with a touch of the button to Instagram and or Facebook. So, for those of you that follow me there, these photos will be yesterday's news. I must admit that there's nothing quite like choosing a camera lens, adjusting the lighting and styling a photo. But sometimes I just do not have the time... especially when my fingers are covered in papier mache and paint!

Well, spring has just about sprung, both outside and inside my workshop! And my excuse about time speeding up also extends to my art. I feel like I have been working on this small collection for months, as I have been juggling other projects as well. But, with Easter just around the corner, it's time to wrap it up! While I had hoped to schedule a spring web sale, I have now decided to simplify things a bit by "springing" a spontaneous newsletter which will include links to these items. So, please keep an eye on your inbox during the next few days. I still have to add trims to each piece, and take their individual photos with a real camera. So, don't hold your breath just yet. But, thank you for your patience! And when my newsletter arrives, and if you see something you like, please EMAIL ME with the name of the piece you are interested in. I will be reserving each piece in the order of inquiries received. If you have not joined my Mailing List just yet, you can do so HERE...

For now, I am sharing a sneak peek at my spring original works in their various stages of progress.....

Cheers,
~ Johanna



* A peek from above of my spring originals in the works, all laying on their sides...



* An earlier photo reveals my rather random process of painting these whimsical characters... This is the first time I have added a flower character into the mix! I had fun making a few tulips.....



* Included in this small collection of eight pieces are busts, ball characters and egg cups...



* And, here's a look back at one of my colorful palettes where I continued to mix my colors of spring!

Calm Before the Storm...

It must have been an intuitive feeling that JP had early Saturday afternoon. My parents had stopped by to say farewell before they flew back to Seattle. I had placed my new camera on its tripod out in the garden, awaiting to take a few family photos. The weather was beautiful as we said our goodbyes. Then, JP suggested I "play" and take a few photos for fun. And FUN it was!... I snapped all sorts of close-ups which I will share with you here. Then, sprinkles started to fall and as we ran inside, torrents of rain and hail replaced the raindrops, and we watched our garden in dismay. Again, our garden was pelted on Sunday with heavier hail and rain after which flooding took its place. All is peaceful again, but the garden sadly took a beating. There is always hope, and we'll see if the plants will arise to the sun's warmth and rays. For now, the photos offer fond memories and an acute perspective on nature and its wonders...
~ Johanna


* A bee crawls up and over the bloom of a Bachelor's Button flower...


* A Green Lacewing stops to rest on a spent Alium bloom...


* These poppies just "popped" before the storms rolled in. We enjoyed their paper-thin blossoms for only a few hours, all of which have now fallen to the ground...


* A special peek at the life of a roly-poly in his armored suit as he climbs across the yellow bloom of a sedum iceplant...


* A bee extracts nectar from the violet blooms of a wild geranium...


* Yellow Yarrow, just beginning to pop, glows for the camera...


* A bee-like insect with a peculiar hovering habit searches for the center of this tiny Snow in Summer bloom...


* Tissue-light petals in brilliant red open to the skies... I'm afraid most of these flowers were lost in the storm...


* A bee grips the edges of the tiny Catmint flower in search of sweet nectar...

Please click on the images for a larger view. I cropped them all so you could see the intricate detail, but the subjects are interesting shown in their surroundings as well. I do wonder what became of these small insects and how they could possibly survive such a violent series of storms....? If the storms stay away, perhaps my garden will have a chance to recover ~ There is always hope.
SaveSave