Celebrate International Women's Day

The question was asked, "How do we as a culture involve, educate, and inspire girls in a positive way?"
Our responsibility as women is to lead by example, to show our strength and diligence in the things we believe in and move in that direction in a consistent and graceful manner.
When we find that healthy balance of strength and grace together, we become a role model for the younger ones.

 I feel that this is the time when women need to reconnect, and let go of the divisions that society often times can spark within us.
So then, how we do we extend that to young women and girls? Creating mentor programs on a local, regional, national, and global basis. If each woman were to mentor a young woman, how would this world be different? We would be re-establishing the bond of women, sharing our wisdom and experiences, and creating a support system. Every business and organization could develop a mentor program. Art organizations, Medical fields, Business technologies, Charity organizations, Retails Shops, the Entertainement Industry....the list is endless. If each woman took under her wing a young girl or woman and shared support, strength and encouragement, the first step would be taken in creating a healthier society for women everywhere.

Her Tree of Life and the Symbolism

If you are familiar with my artwork, you know of my attraction to the Tree of Life, and may have seen some of my latter paintings of it. Recently I began another Tree of Life, but this time wanted to tie in the influence of the Divine Feminine and was very pleased with the result.

"Her Tree of Life" Original Folk Art Painting by Jeanne Fry

I worked with the new Golden Acrylics "Uncommon Blues" paints, wanting to bring in a feeling of serenity, healing, and spirituality. Viewing it now in completion, the shades of blue almost give it an "otherworldly" feel, which I appreciate.

I painted the Divine Feminine into the trunk of the tree with her hair as branches wrapping around it's base. Her eye is represented as a blue bird, for happiness, and it is as if she is looking through the eye of the bird.

Close up view of "Her Tree of Life" by Jeanne Fry

Another silhouette of the goddess face can be found among the tree branches. Three small blue birds are stop their perches gazing at the tree, and one more who will make his home there.

To learn more about the painting you can view it in my Artfire Studio

Her Tree of Life Listing on Artfire



Lizard Totem and it's Symbolic Meaning

Lizard totem, one of my favorite totems as well as my own totem, has great meaning in such a small creature.

Lizard Keeper Original Folk Art Painting by Jeanne Fry

Lizard helps us stay connected to our intuition and brings a confidence into trusting our own instincts. They are connected to the Dreamtime in aboriginal cultures which  integrate that knowing   into our Dream states. A confidence in your perceptions comes easier and stronger when working with the wisdom of the Lizard.

It can teach you to be aware when you are in unhealthy situations and relationships. They have the ability to leave things behind (such as their ability to lose their tail when needed) when the situation calls for it. And are able to thrive in spite of the fact.

Lizard helps us with objectivity and putting things in perspective.

Such great wisdom in such a small creature.

My Lizard Keeper Painting offered on Artfire

The Swell of Artistic Passion

Have you ever become so filled with an artistic passion, that you must stop everything in order to fulfill it? A moment in time when an image appears in your mind that you MUST grab your brush or pen and release it?

"Her Other Hours" Original Contemporary Folk Art Painting by Jeanne Fry

A few days ago I was watching our local PBS station, where they were airing a concert of Harry Connick Jr.'s. While it was on I was puttering around the living room straightening up, putting things away, when Harry began performing one of his songs "Other Hours". As soon as the music started and he began singing, I stopped in my tracks...entranced. The song pulled me back to the television, listening intently to the story he was telling within his music. And I too was pulled into the story...my mind creating images of what the song meant to me, my perception of this magical time.

As I listened, feeling almost meditative, I kept envisioning this painting and felt an overwhelming pull to get the palette of colors out and get her down on paper.

To me, I wanted to reflect this other time, a time when you are alone, when it is night time, when all of your pretenses have disappeared. A time when the mask comes off and you are completely authentic, and all of your vulnerabilities are at the forefront. Within these moments, you decide you who are and who you want to be....Transformation.

Underneath her mask lies the "Heron"...the great blue heron..symbolizing Transformation, Grace, and Patience. And the thoughts swirl...is she brave enough to "Be"?

"Her Other Hours" offered in our Artfire Studio

Daydreams of the Sage.. why her.. why now?

Daydreams of the Sage...why her? why now?  While I was painting Friday night, a few small and simple paintings,  the face of a woman appeared on the paper, but this woman was different from the others that have traveled through the brush. This one insisted she was to be adorned with white hair, that she be aged, that she be wise.

Daydreams of the Sage, Original Contemporary Folk Art Painting by Jeanne Fry

The creation of this small painting, inspired a series to come...a series that appreciates the transition of being a woman, the lessons learned along the way, acceptance of self, and realizations of time wasted worrying about things that don't matter in the grand scheme of things. Each white hair, each wrinkle forming...a validation of the woman's journey.  Above all, a sense of peace of the stages of life and being a woman.

I'm slightly amused that while I have a few projects in the works, they all relate to the different stages in life...Maiden, Mother, and Crone ~ The Triple Goddess.  And while I go back and forth between these works in progress, I'm fully aware that each one is helping the other ~ as it should be.

Daydreams of the Sage painting on Artfire



Owl Art Pendant Bolo Necklace Blog Giveaway

It cold and blustery and a bit snowy this weekend. We're staying in and keeping warm, and decided to do a little blog giveaway this weekend for one of our newest styles of Art Pendants.

The art pendant chosen in the giveaway has a print of one of my original paintings called "Night Vision" that is attached to a bamboo tile and sealed with crystal lacquer. It is strung on leather cord in a bolo style of necklace and can be worn from 18 inches to 26 inches, adjustable by sliding the pendant to your desired length.

The giveaway starts from today, February 11th and ends February 14th, when I will then choose a random winner.

To have a chance for the bolo necklace, go to our Facebook Conscious Art Studios page and like it, and leave a comment on the giveaway post, or you can leave a comment here.

(There is a link to our Facebook Page right here on our blog)

Stay warm everybody !



An Artist's Personal Journey

As an Artist, you become known for your style, your theme, your techniques, and the way you put yourself out there to the world.

I've always focused on symbolism, drawing strength from nature, animal totems, and uplifting themes. But what happens when the artist is having problems connecting with their own style? When the fire that burns within, that makes you pick up your brush, is diminishing? I'm not referring to a slump or block, but more of a distraction that is coming between you and the canvas.

Sometimes I think we need to take a pause, a moment, when the Art is for Us. Our own personal journey can step into plain view  and demand our attention, and we can either work with it or resist.

After spending the past 4 years in a battle with my health, fatigue, and daily pain... it has caught up with me. Faced as if we are  in a stand-off, I choose to continue the fight. And with all that is left inside of me, I allow my Art to become my "warrior". With the paintbrush, I will gather my strength and face the enemy of pain by bringing it to light. And so, I am using my art to release, to peel back the layers, to express what my voice does not.

For those of you that know me or my art, you are welcome to follow me on this journey, as my art takes a little side road...to Healing.

Today's painting ~  #1  "Inside this Shell"

"Inside this Shell"  Original on Watercolor Paper 9 x 12  by Jeanne Fry

http://www.consciousartstudios.com/

(Many thanks go out to an artist friend of mine, who when talking this afternoon, made things simple for me..."Jeanne, you just need to paint and sleep".  Thank you Lisa Patencio ! )

http://www.lisapatencio.com/