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 build  a confidence into trusting our own instincts.  Subtle movements and changes around us become easier to detect as our awareness develops, perceiving what others may have missed.  They are connected to the Dreamtime in aboriginal and some native 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.

Some lizards have the ability to lose their tail and grow one back. This can be symbolic for another  important lizard lesson...the ability to "let go of" or detach from something that is no longer needed in order to move on, survive, and grow. (For example, letting go of old emotional baggage that may be preventing us from moving forward and trying something new)
The stronger intuitive connection helps one "know" what no longer serves them, and be more in tune with what positive loving energies they DO want to surround themselves with.

 Lizard helps us with objectivity and putting things in perspective.

Such great wisdom in such a small creature.

Lizard Moon Painting by Jeanne Fry

Earth Lizard, Contemporary Folk Art Painting by Jeanne Fry

(The  "Lizard Keeper", and "Lizard Moon" painting are both sold.) The "Earth Lizard" painting is still available and listed in our Etsy shop here
Textured Lizard Totem Painting on Etsy

The Swell of Artistic Passion - The Heron Shape Shifter

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?

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"?

This Original Painting was done with Acrylics on high quality heavy weight watercolor paper ad measures 20 inches x 30 inches. It is framed in a black spectrum frame.

It is available in our Etsy shop here

Heron Shape Shifter Original Framed Painting on Etsy

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.

The "Daydreams of the Sage" painting is available for sale in my Etsy shop here
Daydreams of the Sage Original Painting on Etsy



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

The original of the "Inside this Shell" painting is not available, but prints are available in my Fine Art America Studio

 

http://www.consciousartstudios.com/

 

 



From Wall Art to Wearable Art

I finally took the plunge and started making pendants with prints from my original paintings. After realizing that sometimes we only have so much room in our homes for Paintings and Wall Art, I thought it was a good way for people to be able to collect the painting in a smaller venture.

I began with two different styles. The first is a more natural and earthy type of jewelry, using miniature prints of my paintings on bamboo tiles and stringing them with leather cord in a bolo style of necklace. These can be worn by men and women and are adjustable.

Kokopelli Art Pendant Bolo Style Necklace by Jeanne Fry

I love that these are so multi faceted, that they can be worn with natural styles of clothing as well as for a more formal look.

Snowy White Owl Art Pendant Bolo Style Necklace by Jeanne Fry





Being happy with this style I created several of them over the weekend.

Art Pendant Bolo Necklaces by Jeanne Fry

The other type of necklace I created uses the art print with a glass slide and aanraku bail. These necklaces are strung with ribbon and cord necklaces that have a lobster clasp on them. This style of necklace is definitely much more feminine.

"First Blooms of Love" Art Pendant Ribbon Necklace by Jeanne Fry

Honestly I don't know that I like one style more than the other, although either way they will accent outfits nicely and bring Art into the wearer's style, which I love.

"Healing Hands" Art Pendant Ribbon Necklace by Jeanne Fry

Earth Turtle Art Pendant Bolo Necklace by Jeanne Fry

Night Vision Owl Art Pendant Bolo Necklace

If you would like to see all of the Art Pendants I created you can visit my Artfire shop and browse under the "Art Pendants" category. Here is a link ~

My Art Pendants in my Artfire Shop

Thanks for visiting today :)