Through the Elephants Eyes and the Elephant Totem Symbolic Meaning

Late on a Friday evening, while burning some Frangipani incense and drinking my usual Earl Grey tea, I took to the canvas with a different kind of inspiration. My senses were in a heightened state for the room was filled with the scent of cut roses, bundles of spearmint drying in the kitchen, and the rich soil on my garden gloves lying on the end table near the door. Blending that with the Frangipani and my tea, I realized I had an impromptu aromatherapy session going on.

 The creative inspiration that came forth was bringing visions of fiery reds, oranges, and yellows into my mind. Rich and Warm, vibrant and bold, the colors swirled in my belly. Immediately my mind wandered now to thoughts of an African landscape, the sun, and an elephant.

Through the Elephants Eyes, Contemporary Folk Art by Jeanne Fry

I knew that I had to paint the elephant. The elephant generally has poor eyesight and relies more on his sense of smell to guide him. How ironic that my sense of smell this evening led me to him.

I wanted the painting to reflect more of what the elephant totem could smell and feel, with the actual visuals being a little more subtle.

I wanted the richness of his surroundings to be dominant, with the color scheme making you immediately associate him in his own environment. 

Learning more about the elephant totems symbolism  gave me a much better understanding of his character, and a desire to carry some of its wisdom with me. Their size and strength is immediately apparent, but their softer compassionate side is often not thought of. They are deeply compassionate, tending to sick and injured ones as well as caring for those that are passing over. They carry great balance within themselves, bold and strong, gentle and loving. A wisdom we all need to carry with us. 

The other trait that I found of importance was the fact that the females will travel in packs. Their packs are comprised of all ages and led my an older wise one, all learning and caring for one another. It reminded me of that same special bond we can find in healthy women's circles and how completing that can be for a woman's spirit.

Through the Elephants Eyes, Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

My hope with this painting was to be able to stimulate the viewers senses, beyond the visual and the obvious.

The Original of this painting has sold, but it is available as an Art Print here
Through the Elephants Eyes Art Print

Grandmother Willow Tree, a vision of Comfort and Healing

I created Grandmother Willow Tree after a weekend of reflecting on the women that came before us in our bloodlines... the grandmothers and their wisdom. While sipping tea over this cold grey weekend, I sifted through memory after memory of the images,symbols, and wise words that came from my grandmother.

Grandmother Willow Tree, a Contemporary Folk Art Painting by Jeanne Fry

 I replayed the short film -like snippets of remembered times when I was young and the times I spent with her. The things you learn from a grandmother are like no other. I even think that the things you learn from them may not even be the same things that they taught to their own children. I think a sense of ease comes with their age, a letting go of the overly-protective mode they were in when they were child rearing. I recalled many conversations sitting on the porch swing with her, and now realize that the things we talked about were about the "bigger picture", idealism, and inspirations. She didn't need to raise me to learn how to "walk" in the world" like a mother does, but passed her wisdom on how to "be" in the world.

As we would sit on the porch swing, I always gazed at the Willow Tree off in the distance. It was the first thing I saw when I would arrive on her land, and the last thing I saw when I would leave. Whenever I would see that willow tree then, and see a willow tree today, I feel the Comfort of a Grandmother's Love. I am so grateful for that memory.

The original painting has sold. It is available as an Art Print in our Fine Art America online shop, as an Art Print, Matted and Framed, On Canvas, On Metal, or as a Greeting Card.
Grandmother Willow Tree Art Print

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

Sacred Trees the Connectedness of Life

Thoughtful moments were spent this week on the Connectedness of Life, in turn inspiring a new painting. As my passion as an artist always seems to navigate to nature, so was born "Sacred Trees".  As I painted the tree grove I thought about how everything we think, everything we do, affects not only ourselves but those around us.

Sacred Trees the Connectedness of Life, a Contemporary Folk Art Painting by Jeanne Fry

 How these actions extend themselves within our home, our work, our friends, our family, our community....how each choice ultimately affects our entire world. I contemplated on whether each person thought of their decisions in that way...not only how it would affect them, but how would it affect the higher good?

The Sacred Trees painting is a reminder, a reminder of how we are all connected.

SOLD

Our Roots Go Deep and Tree Symbolism

Once again I find my spirit being drawn back to the tree who's symbolism is so powerful in my life. I have written and painted many versions of trees, their silhouettes, and the Tree of Life, each time I suppose to recreate my connection with them. In doing so I am reaffirming my honor for what they mean to me. On an immediate level they speak to me of Longevity, their strength in years, their presence on this Earth. Because of their symbolism of Time, it makes me pause and think of their presence through change, watching their environment evolve around them continually yet they continue on their path, every growing and striving for the skies. On a human level I guess it makes me yearn for that ability to diligently stay on my own course through the plethora of bright and stormy days, untouched by the actions of others or the terms of life.

Our Roots Go Deep Folk Art Painting by Jeanne Fry

Lastly, their symbolism for History inspires me. All that they have seen and endured, making them the beings they are today.

The quote by Kim Novak comes to mind..."Just touching that old tree was truly moving to me because when you touch these trees, you have such a sense of the passage of time, of history. It's like you're touching the essence, the very substance of life."

Tree Symbolism Painting by Jeanne Fry

Thank you for once again allowing me to share how important the Tree and it's symbolism are to me.

If you are interested in this painting you can find it here in my Etsy shop:
Our Roots Go Deep Original Painting on Etsy