My Coloring Book is Here!

Hi there. How are you? Me? I'm so excited!

After a month of really hard work, I'm happy to report that my coloring book is here and ready for purchase! Take a peek inside my friends.

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Pattern Play - A Coloring Book by Jennifer Johansson. Now available for purchase!

A glimpse inside. This page was inspired by paper lanterns.

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My interpretation of wood grain.

Straight from my Sketchbook

If you follow me here or on social media, you'll probably recognize some of these drawings, as they came straight out of my sketchbook.  (Well, almost straight out of my sketchbook. I did a little cleaning and editing in Photoshop and Illustrator.) As most of what I've been drawing lately has a patterned aspect about it, I decided to title this "Pattern Play." As a big fan of alliteration, I think it works and describes what one will find inside.

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A closeup view of my kimono inspired page. Won't this be fun to color?

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For best results, use colored pencils, water-based markers or crayons to color in "Pattern Play."

The Details

"Pattern Play" features 20 pattern drawings, printed on just one side of the paper for optimum "colorabilty." You can easily remove pages from the book to share or even hang.  It was professionally printed at the Printing Plant right here in Carbondale, on a nice 70 lb. paper. For best results, I recommend you color with colored pencils, water-based markers, or crayons. Sharpies and other solvent-based markers work as well, but will bleed through. As long as you put a scrap piece of paper under your page, color away with your Sharpies!

#ColorWithJen

I can't wait to see my coloring book in action! I invite you to share your colored pages with my via email or on Instagram with the hashtag #ColorWithJen

Act Fast Friends!

I've had so many inquiries about my coloring book that I do expect them to sell out quickly. I opened sales up yesterday to my mailing list members and sold half of my stock! If you want one, I'd BUY NOW!

That's all for now! Ta-ta!

New Things!

Hi there. How are you?

How has it been a month since I last wrote a blog post??? Oh yeah, I was busting my butt to get my coloring book done! I'm happy to report that it's now at the printer, and I should be able to pick them up sometime this week. I'm so excited for you to see them friends!

A sneak peek of my coloring book cover.

Mailing list members get first dibs

If you want to get your hands on my first ever coloring book, do sign up for my mailing list. I will open up sales to list members first. I have had so much interest in these, that I expect they will go fast!

OK. Now onto new things!

Did you know that In recent years, August and September are the top months for births in the United States? It sure seems right to me....Not only did I celebrate a birthday earlier this month, but I know someone with a birthday almost every day of September!

My original sketchbook drawing.

Now available! Click to shop.

With a slew of people to send birthday cards to this month, I decided to make one! It was a good excuse to utilize one of the patterns I drew in my sketchbook this summer.  Every time I scan one of these patterns in and work with it digitally, I get a little better and more confident in the process. I remember telling someone in college that I never wanted to use the computer as an art tool...My have times changed!

A sweet way to say thank you. Click to shop!

I also made this sweet little thank you card to send to a friend. I just love this one! The aqua and red is a fave color combo. It's a little different for me to use a cursive type font, but I think it fits the pattern and sentiment perfectly.

My new cards are now available for purchase. Click HERE to shop!

That's all for now friends. I hope you are having a great week. Ta-Ta!

Father's Day Card Roundup 2015

Hi there. How are you?

It's June. The kids are out of school and summer is upon us. Father's Day is just around the corner!

Father's Day is fun for all in the Johansson family. For the past 3 years, we have spent Father's Day at Scratch Brewery with friends. The adults sample beers and eat delicious goat cheese and pizza. The kids explore the woods and visit the goats and chickens. If you're anywhere near Southern Illinois, make a point to got to Scratch. It is truly one of our very favorite places here.

OK, so back to Father's Day cards. Here are a few of my faves this year.  These are the kind of cards I give to my Dad. None of these cards are traditional or mushy, but instead, original, witty, and well designed.

Go patronize one of these fine illustrators today!

1. Michele Maule
2. THElittleBLUECHAIR
3. Nightly Doodles/Jenipher Lyn
4. Wit & Whistle
5. Emily McDowell Studio
6. Jennifer Johansson (Me!)

Well, that's all folks. Ta-Ta!