The Turtle Warrior

I may be soft and vulnerable underneath

but I carry an exterior of Strength...

I may not be moving fast enough for you

but I am taking thoughtful caring Steps....

I may appear to be an empty shell

but inside this vessel I have the capability of producing bountiful life

I am delicate

I am a warrior

I am a mother

I am a woman

I am a Caretaker of the Earth.

I am Life. 

Dream Weekend Art Sale in January in Conscious Art Studios Artfire Shop

Happy Cold Blustery Weekend everyone ! It is frigidly cold and blustery today, too cold to go out. So, while staying warm and cozy indoors, we're offering an Art Sale for this Martin Luther King weekend. We have been adding lots of new artwork to the studio over the past few weeks, so this weekend would be a perfect time to collect some beautiful art. 

With Valentine's Day around the corner, we have been creating lots of new Glass Art Print Pendants and Necklaces, Glass Art Earrings, and Symbolic Gourd Pendants. These handmade necklaces are rich, colorful, and meaningful. 

The glass art pendants and necklaces are available in many shapes; round, rectangular, and triangular. Some are set in metal while some just glass themselves. The metals come in silver, copper, and bronze finishes, with complimentary chains.

You can take a peak at them here

We have some new Gourd Jewelry added to the studio as well. These earthy pendants are embellished with gemstone, wood, and glass beads. They add a wonderful uniqueness to the wardrobe with their earth element elegance.

 You can see them here

Soon we are going to have to make another trip to the Gourd Farm, our supplies are beginning to get low. We have been crafting some new Gourd Art Bowls and I really love how they have been coming out. We have many gourd bowls throughout our house. I tend to collect lots of little things, and of course all little treasures need a home. I use my gourd bowls to store my gemstones and feathers. I keep one on my desk for paperclips, binder clips, and tape rolls. I have others that hold my pencils and markers. And I have a large one that I keep on the mantle that holds little index cards with written affirmations on them. When I need a little uplifting, I pull one out and keep it with me for the day.

"The Old Ways" Gourd Art Bowl by John and Jeanne Fry

And of course, our Artfire Shop is full of original paintings, greeting cards, original bookmarks, native flute music, art dolls, and lots of inspirational and symbolic art. We try and create the things that make our spirits sing.

Deer Totem Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

If you are staying in on this chilly winter weekend, grab a cup of coffee or cocoa and have a visit in our studio. Stay warm and enjoy our Dream Weekend Art Sale.

Armadillo Shield Symbolic Gourd Necklaces and Totem Meaning

Animal Totem Art has been my focus for many years. With the majority of my creative inspiration coming from nature and the animal kingdom, there is a wealth of wisdom to be learned from them. My personal totem is the Lizard, who's lessons I have benefited greatly from over time.

Recently I was having a conversation with my wonderful Aussie friend, Nicole. Our talk grazed over spirituality, life lessons, and intuitiveness, as it often does. Late one night while in the midst of one our philosophical chats, Armadillo totem wisdom was sent to me. 

This was unusual, for armadillo has certainly never come to my attention.

The Armadillo is most known for it's shield of armor that he wears. This is his source of protection, with his underbelly (inner self) being his vulnerable area. When he feels danger near he will roll up into a tight ball and protect himself. In reflection for humans, the danger could be physical, emotional, mental, or even spiritual. I pondered over this little creature, visualizing him curled up in a ball...a circle.

I realized while talking with Nicole that for the past few weeks I had been wearing a particular gourd necklace.

It was one that my husband and I  had made, a circle disk made of gourd. The piece was simple and natural and when I wore it I felt a sense of strength and courage, and yes...protection. I was especially wearing it when I would go out to holiday gatherings and virtually everywhere in public. I pay special attention to what I adorn myself with when I am out, as I am very sensitive to the energy of others. How serendipitous that the armadillo and his symbolism was becoming more prevalent to me. 

Armadillos have sharp claws and are expert diggers. This would be symbolic of "getting to the root" of the matter. It is beneficial to know the underlying motivations and things unseen in situations. By being aware, we are able to use the protection ability more proficiently. We wouldn't want to ball ourselves up and protect ourselves from everything, for we might be missing out on a great love or opportunity. Learning when to protect ourselves and to what extent is the great lesson.

We decided to make more of these gourd pendants for others that may want to connect with the wisdom of the Armadillo. The are simple, earthy, and rustic.

 The pendants are made from gourd circle disks (symbolic shields) that were shaped and sanded by John. We then paint them different subtle color combinations allowing one to choose the color the resonates with them. The backs of the shields are painted black. A small silhouette of the armadillo is painted on them and our signatures underneath. This way, at any time that you need to remind yourself of the wisdom, you can just flip the shield over to see the armadillo. Small gemstones and glass beads adorn the shields to represent the richness of our spirits. They are strung on leather cord, vintage style copper, or bronze finish chains that have a rustic look, creating a unique earthy piece of jewelry.

Green Armadillo Shield Symbolic Totem Gourd Necklace
SOLD

 Copper Armadillo Shield Symbolic Totem Gourd Necklace
SOLD

Purple Armadillo Shield Symbolic Gourd Necklace with Blue Shells
SOLD

 Blue Armadillo Shield Symbolic Totem Gourd Necklace
SOLD

 Deep Blue Armadillo Shield Symbolic Totem Gourd Necklace
SOLD

Thanksgiving Weekend Cyber Monday Sale at Conscious Art Studios

For those of you that find it important to Support Local and Handmade, we are offering Free Shipping for Thanksgiving Weekend and Cyber Monday at Conscious Art Studios. Each of our artworks carry a special symbolic meaning. When I complete a painting, I write a special blog post to tell its story. I will print a copy of that writing and include with with the purchase.

This year we have also added a Gift Wrapping Option in the online shop. If you would like your art wrapped for the holidays, scroll through the right sidebar in the online shop for the "Add Gift Wrap" button. The cost for wrapping is $4. If you have multiple purchases that you would like wrapped, it will be $4 per gift - just choose the number of items to wrap by increasing the quantity button.  

We can ship the art directly to the person you are buying it for. Simply add the recipients shipping information in the "Notes" section at checkout.

Gift Wrapping includes Gift Wrap, Ribbon, and Gift Tag with message)

 Happy Holiday Shopping and Thank you for supporting our art throughout the year. 

Giving Animal Totem Art is such a unique and meaningful gift for someone you love. If you don't see a particular totem in the online shop, you can email me and request it. I will do my best to create it in time to ship before Christmas. 

Faith Hope and Charity Symbolism of the Saints in Folk Art

My interpretation of Faith, Hope & Charity is one of the most important and endearing paintings I have created in my career as an artist. At the age of four I was in the hospital for major surgery. This was a very prevalent time in my life, a time in which I had my first very spiritual moment. Of course at the time I didn't realize that... when you are young everything is magical. Those were the times when our  hearts were pure and filled with love, undamaged from hurts and events. Those were the times when we felt that anything was possible and that each little thing we would see and touch was miraculous.

Faith Hope & Charity, Contemporary Folk Art by Jeanne Fry

After my surgery I felt the presence of an angel beside me, watching over, and I knew even being so young that everything was going to be okay. I knew that I was not alone and even on a dark day, I was loved. 

During that hospital stay, a stranger had gifted me....a gift that I still have to this day. It was a painting of Faith, Hope, & Charity. I knew that it was special and treasured that painting. Throughout my life, as things get lost, thrown out, or given away...that painting has always stayed with me. And when things in life creep up on me and consume me with fear, for some reason that painting will briefly pop into my mind, reminding me..that I am loved, cared for, watched over, and that everything will work out.

Recently these three spiritual beings have been on my mind a great deal. I knew one evening that I needed to paint them as I see them, and in doing so feel a greater connection with them. Once I began painting I did not stop until I was finished, so as not to lose the connectedness of their love, knowing that these three saints may bring the same level of comfort to someone else.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share them with you and their story. If you would like to learn more about the painting, or adopt it, you can find it in our Artfire Shop here

Faith Hope and Charity Folk Art Painting on Artfire

It is also available as an Art Print in our Fine Art America online shop. There you can order it as a print, matted and framed, on canvas, on metal, or as a greeting card.
Faith Hope and Charity Art Print on Fine Art America

Beaver Totem Meaning ~ Architect of Life

I often hear complaints about beavers being a nuisance, but there is much to learn from the Beaver Totem. The Beaver is a great builder. They build their "lodges" in water, and if a pond is not accessible they will build a dam to create one. Not only does this serve their living needs, but is also a source of protection. They will store their food there and use the water to move their building materials. 

Beaver Totem Architect of Life, Original Painted Greeting Card by Jeanne Fry

When building their lodge they use mud and leaves as an insulation for winter. (Much like we humans use natural cob building techniques, their mud, leaves, and sticks will harden and freeze creating a solid structure for the cold winter months). They build canals, have places for food storage, and their lodges all become an intricate little "city" for their community.

It speaks to us about building what you need in life, creating your home, and providing for your future.They are considered an Architect of Life.

This greeting card has sold. You can find other Original Animal Totem Art greeting cards in our Artfire Shop
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/ConsciousArtStudios

Willow Tree Moon and it's Symbolic Meaning

The Willow Tree has always been a beautiful and meaningful symbol to me. Its sacredness is rich in history and culture, having been held dear by the Celtic and Druids. 

Willow Tree Moon, Contemporary Folk Art Painting by Jeanne Fry

It has been known as a tree of great mysticism, associated with psychic ability and vision, which explains it's relationship with the Moon. It is linked with the water element, and the flexible movement of the tree is representative of our need to adjust or acclimate along our journey. The Water/Moon connection helps facilitate a "walking with grace" attribute, in our attitudes and actions. It is a wonderful symbol for those that are working on deepening their connection with their own intuition and are learning to be flexible with life along their spiritual journey.

Willow Tree Moon, Contemporary Folk Art Painting Close up View

 

Willow Tree Moon, Contemporary Folk Art Painting Close Up View

The original painting of Willow Tree Moon is available in my Etsy shop here
Willow Tree Moon Painting for Sale on Etsy