Sacred Tree Sacred Moon

"Sacred Tree, Sacred Moon.....thank you for illuminating the path for me...for reminding me of what is truly important...and for helping me to keep my breath in step with the heartbeat. Thank you for melting my stress away when I come to sit beneath your boughs. Thank you for teaching me how every living thing is connected to Mother. 

I am grateful to you for teaching me to Stand in my power...to reach ever higher...and to be flexible in the winds. I am grateful for your Sanctuary, as your presence always give me comfort. I am grateful in knowing that while years of change can happen, yet you will continue to stand tall.

You are my, Sacred Tree Sacred Moon, always."

(c) Copyright Jeanne Fry All Rights Reserved

The writing above accompanies my Original Acrylic Painting on Wood.

Root Bound No More - Space Clearing for the Soul

When the seasons arrive, each have their own special meanings in our hearts. They conjure up memories, urge us to look at the past and the present, and prepare us for different phases of our growth. When Fall arrives I feel myself go into a "nesting" mode, instinctively getting ready for the Winter's "inward" time. It prompts us to do a Fall cleaning, or Space Clearing if you will...a cleansing of the prior activity and get our house ready for our  journey of quiet contemplation.

This Fall, as all the others for the past several decades, I began my space clearing. This time though I was adamant that I needed to work with my plants as well. I decided that certain ones were going to be pulled up from the ground and potted to be brought indoors, and others were going to be re-potted into larger containers. 

I set up my garden table on the deck and worked first on all of the herbs I was going to have in my Winter's kitchen garden. Then I decided to create some new sacredness for my indoor plants, giving them an opportunity to grow in new ways. I foraged through my many planters, choosing just the right ones for each plant, cleansing and prepping them, then started filling them with rich organic soil - healthy surroundings just as our own spirits need in order to flourish.

My peace lilies, patchouli, sage, philodendron, and zebra plants were ready to be transformed. I was in a sense shocked when I began releasing them from their old residences...finding that their root systems were bound so tightly that they couldn't even creep their way out of the drainage holes on the bottoms of the pots. I softly loosed their roots and dusted the old impacted soil away and I could almost hear a sigh of relief......"Ahhhhh I can Breathe". 

I continued this process with each of the plants, saddened that I had waited so long to help in their growth. As my hands gingerly worked with their life source, I began thinking of the process on a spiritual and philosophical level in relation to our own lives. I thought about how we as humans so often put our own needs aside and procrastinate on doing the things we need for ourselves to flourish and grow. I thought about how this little bit of meaningful time can have such a long lasting impact on our own personal growth. I reminded myself that I needed to be sure that I put my own needs first on my priority list, and how my not having done so may have prevented my own spirit from evolving  to higher levels. 

I made a promise to myself that I would ensure that I always had enough room to grow, and to make sure that there was always time and space available for the exploration of my soul.

These events on this cool breezy Fall afternoon inspired my new painting, "Root Bound No More".

The painting  brings the Tree of Life forward in a symbolic tone, portraying Personal Growth that allows one to overcome challenges, reaching out of the conforming self limits that we sometimes place on ourselves.
The canvas was textured with a Golden product medium, swirled in a large circle and painted deep rich colors of burnt umber, brown, and burnt sienna, to be symbolic for the self created limits we put on ourselves. The Tree was painted rising through the circle, its swirls of roots reaching not only below but above those "self limits", allowing it to grow beyond its wildest dreams. An abundance of small detail work was done in the many leaves of the tree, as new and vital growth. 

Not Everything is Black and White - Original Symbolic Tree of Life Painting

Each one of us are here to walk our Path in Life, and the road is different  for each person. We have a lot of conditions and expectations put on us: by society, our communities, our politicians, our families, our friends, and even ourselves. What others think we "should of " or "could of" done isn't always possible, for they're not aware of all the steps that led up to this space on our path called Now. 

Wouldn't Life be easy if there were an instruction booklet that was passed out on our arrival. It's all a Learning Curve, and we try to do the best we can with what we've got. 

Some think that the Directions are so simple, as if the map has been written out in black and white, "This is the way you are supposed to go". While we are all heading to the same destination, we all have to find our Own path. Some may have a straight flat road to journey, while others may have to navigate rocky terrain. We're going to get lost, we're going to make mistakes, and sometimes we may have to back track to get on the right road. 

We're Humans, and while our journey might be messy and difficult at times, we also have those times when it is joyful and sweet. Not Everything is Black and White.

When I created this painting I wanted to symbolically portray colors of our human existence amidst the starkness of the literal black and white. I used the Tree of Life to bring our emotional colors out in its leaves. Within the center of the Tree the shadow of a Face can be found. Abstract direction is given with the black and white, while as you get closer to the Tree you will find shades of greys and beige and alternate movement - our own personal navigation on the path. 

The Peacock Warrior Woman

How She Came to Be

The Peacock Warrior Woman has evolved after many years of nurturing her awareness during her daily meditations sitting underneath the Tree of Life. A family of peafowl were always present when she would visit. During her meditations she would gaze into the eyes of the peacocks feathers while she accessed her higher self. Over time after her prolonged connections with the peafowl, she began absorbing the wisdom of the peacock totem, or their  "medicine" we would say. Grandfather Peacock remains her closest companion to this day as they fill their visits with conversations of Philosophy and Meaning of Life.

  In her enlightened state she carries a balance between masculine and feminine qualities. This  allows her the gifts  of discernment and decisiveness  from the feminine side, while the extraordinary plumage from the masculine side brings an increased connection with her intuition and vision. 

What She Gives to the World

 The Peacock Warrior Woman is now a Guide, a Guide for those who are on their spiritual journey of reclaiming their inner spirit. The search to find the pieces of ourselves that we have lost or given away over the years is her primary focus, for she herself knows  the feeling of waking up and feeling as if something is missing. She "gifts" one of her feathers to those who are seeking, to help them connect with their own higher selves during meditation, to heighten their skills of awareness, and to access their intuition in a strong and consistent manner. 

The original Contemporary Folk painting of "The Peacock Warrior Woman" was created by Jeanne Fry. It is listed for sale in our Etsy shop where you can also see more photos and learn about the dimensions.

SOLD

Bears Mother Tree - a Safe Haven in an Everchanging World

The Earth is continually changing. As we humans spread out more and more we continue to ravage this precious land, and more times than not don't give back to her. Each living thing does its best to acclimate to those changes. Each animal finds their homes becoming smaller and smaller. They are having to learn how to live among us, and in doing so they lose pieces of their own animal spirit.

"Bears Mother Tree" was created to represent the sacred home to the Bear, a place where they could come and "be". This place is where the Bear can always come home and be safe...to remember who they are...to keep their spirit authentic...to not become "watered" down by the humans...to just be the Bear.

The symbolism in the painting brings the "Mother Tree" to life. The tree is painted in pale turquoise representing the richness of the Earth.The grey bark is for the wisdom she has gained in the changes of time. Two bears are visiting, one resting on her branch, while the younger one is climbing to find haven. Small tan leaves are opening at her branch tips, for birth and growth. Four medicine wheels are hanging in the branches, each with a Tree of Life inside. The tree of life is painted in white for the purity of our existence. Each medicine wheel has four feathers hanging from them for the balance of the Four Directions. Bear prints are painted amongst the limbs, symbolism for the bears walk of life. 

Living here in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains, I have a great respect for the Bear. For the past year or so I continue to hear more and more stories on the news about the bear population coming closer and closer into our towns. During the interviews people are complaining about these visitations, upset with such petty things as bird feeders being knocked down, or their trash cans being pilfered. The Bear's home is becoming smaller and smaller, and their food sources more scarce.

This was the inspiration for my painting "Bears Mother Tree". In my heart, my hope is that they could have such a place, a sacred place, untouched, where they can always walk with Bear Heart.

Bear Totem Medicine Wheel, Illustrative Painting and Symbolism

The "Bear Totem Medicine Wheel" is an illustrative original painting, created with acrylics on a birch wood panel that is mounted on a pine cradle. It represents the sacred journey of Strength and Healing. The painting is rich in detail and symbolism. Upon the earthy layered background of raw sienna, honey brown, and turquoise, is a large medicine wheel. The colors on the medicine wheel are red, yellow, white, and black with a small turquoise center. There are 4 feathers painted hanging from the bottom of the medicine wheel, and a tie at each direction each of which is embellished with silver tin cones.

Bear Totem Medicine Wheel, Illustrative Folk Painting by Jeanne Fry

The Bear Totem is the focus of the medicine wheel's energy, for Strength and Healing. One large black bear is resting in a most comfortable sleep in the bottom of the wheel, symbolizing comfort, relaxation, and restorative rest. Above him are 7 black bears walking the outer rim of the medicine wheel with a tree of life and abundance between each. Within the center of the wheel are 13 (power symbol)  smaller black bears, all walking the journey, helping one another, encouraging strength amongst themselves and promoting a healing journey.

The original of this painting has been sold, but it is available as an Art Print. You can find it here in our Artfire Shop
Bear Totem Medicine Wheel Art Prints available in our Artfire Shop

It is also available as an Art Print in our Fine Art America online shop. It is available as an Art Print, Matted and Framed, on Canvas, On Metal, or as a Greeting Card
Bear Totem Medicine Wheel Art Print

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

Her Tree of Life and the Symbolism Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

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.

The Original Painting of "Her Tree of Life" is available for sale in my Etsy Shop here:

Her Tree Of Life Painting for Sale on Etsy



Stewards of the Earth..Our Interconnectedness with Nature

I try to surround myself with people of like-mind, people that find an importance in caring for our Earth and take responsibility for the footprint they leave. I have such a deep respect for the gifts we receive from our environment, and not just the obvious things such as the sustainability of food, water, plant life, but to have a gratitude for the natural balance and peace we can feel when engaged in our surroundings. I marvel in the fact that when sitting in our homes and offices we can become so stressed and worried and look at things as if they're black and white....and then the moment we step outside we feel relief. Black and white doesn't seems so simple anymore, because the color palette explodes upon you, the air comforts your cheek, and our heart beat becomes "one" with the Earth. The rhythm sways our spirit and we exhale.

This feeling is what inspired my latest painting, "Stewards of the Earth"

"Stewards of the Earth" Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

The painting has multiple layers giving a great deal of depth to the subject. The tree silhouette, Tree of Life, was created with yet another silhouette inside it, that of the Turtle Totem. The symbolism of the Turtle is motherhood of the Earth and healing. Within the framework of the turtle are 7 human figures which are the stewards. The design of the turtle shell lays over the humans. Inside the tree trunk, you find two more tree silhouettes, growing and blooming, and the main tree (the Tree of Life) is sprouting it's new growth for the season, for the cycles of life.

I used hues of Periwinkle blue, Raw Umber, Titanium White, Grey,and Sap Green, all representing different seasons.

Symbolism is important in all of my paintings, to convey the processes of my spirit.

The Original Painting of Stewards of the Earth is available in my Etsy shop here

Stewards of the Earth on Etsy

My Attraction to the Tree of Life

I have created many versions of the Tree of Life over the years, and keep going back to it again and again in my painting. It's importance to me in my art has been strong because it's philosophy represents the connectedness of all living things, and that we are all related.

The Tree of Life has had symbolism in many cultures and religions; Norse mythology, India, Judaism,Turkic Mythology,Buddhism, Baha'i Faith, Chinese mythology, Christianity,  and Egyptian culture.

It  represents our human connection with the physical world of nature, the connection of the heavens and the underworld, the connection of good and evil, and the cycle of life. It's vast symbolism encompassed in the Tree is simple yet complex.

My attraction reminds me always, that there is something bigger than myself, a complex woven system that ties us all together.

The Source, an Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

"Love Hangs On", an original painting by Jeanne Fry

My "Love Hangs On" painting is available in my Artfire Studio here
Love Hangs On Painting available on Artfire

Meditation Tree and Original Painting by Jeanne Fry
Prints available at

The original of this painting is not available any longer, but prints are here
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/meditation-tree-jean-fry.html

Fantastical Tree of Life by Jeanne Fry

The original of the "Fantastical Tree of Life" is not available any longer, but prints and greeting cards of it are available here in my Fine Art America shop
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/fantastical-tree-of-life-jean-fry.html