The Council of the Winged Ones, Original Contemporary Folk Art

Over the past two years my art has been greatly inspired by Bird Totems. I have also focused a large amount of artwork around the Earth and Sky. The symbolism of the Winged Ones has enchanted me, for they are able to navigate the bridge between the Earth and Sky, representing their freedom of flight and being able to soar through life. They are able to wander through those things that are bigger than ourselves.

The Council of the Winged Ones, contemporary folk art by Jeanne Fry

For me personally, I know that as I move through periods of personal growth, bird totems are always present. They are here to inspire and broaden my perspectives on life and living. They remind me that all things are possible, and encourage me to stay connected to my higher self.

I brought this painting to life to represent the Winged Ones and their wisdom. They are represented as a council, bringing a call to order amongst themselves, to share their own wisdom on the paths that they follow. Their diversity as strong beings and teachers is of great importance as they come together in council. Their visions are shared for the greater good. 

Within the painting I brought together the Owl (wisdom and vision), the Crow (messages and manifestation), the Cardinal (strength of spirit, passion, inner voice), the Heron (transformation and grace), the Robin (periods of growth and opportunity), the Eagle (sacredness of Spirit and healing), the Bluejay (power and the right use of will), the Hummingbird ( happiness and enjoying the moment), and the Hawk ( power and vision).  The lessons and medicine that these Winged Ones bring is immense and symbolic for us two-leggeds. 

The Original Painting has sold. You can find Art Prints available of it in our Artfire Shop
Council of the Winged Ones Art Print 11x14 Available

It is also available as an Art Print in our Fine Art America online shop. They offer it as a print, matted and framed, on canvas, on metal, or as a greeting card.
Council of the Winged Ones Art Print on Fine Art America

Original Paintings vs. Art Prints Contemporary Folk Art by Jeanne Fry

For the longest time collectors continued to ask me if I had prints available of my paintings. Over the years I had only offered my original works and did not venture into reproducing it, but when the economy slowed down a few years ago I knew that things had to change to meet the need. At first I tried painting smaller works at lower prices, and while that did seem to help at the same time it was not offering me the time I would like to spend on larger pieces. This past year I was able to find a local printer who does a very nice quality laser print, allowing  me to offer art prints at an affordable price. Over time I have been growing that inventory, adding more of my previous paintings into the arena. Most times I do not offer a print until the original has sold, but if the painting is very popular and desired I have occasionally offered it as a print sooner.

I do not frame the prints, leaving that to the collector, so that they can choose their own frame to blend with their decor. I place them on xboard or back mat, sign and title the backs, and them insert them in a plastic sleeve to protect them during shipping.

I feel that this has been a better solution, as now I have been able to spend more time and inspired to work on my larger pieces which are still desired by those who want my originals. 

Thank you to all of those who support my art.

To see the collection of available Art Prints you can see find them in our Artfire Shop here

Contemporary Folk Art Prints by Jeanne Fry

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

Cardinal Totem and its Symbolic Meaning

Recently I have been very attracted to the Cardinal Totem, especially since I have a male and female couple that have taken up residence nearby and come to visit me every day. Watching the tender care they give one another , and the special balance they exhibit between being assertive and being passive have given me many contemplative mornings.

Their beautiful red color represents vitality, strength, and standing in one's own power. They remind us not to be afraid to be ourselves, and when we're feeling spent and burned out, there is always tomorrow to try again. They are definitely a "follow your passion" totem.

We live in a woodland area where there is an abundance of birds, but I have become very attuned to the cardinal voice. The female is just as vocal as the male, which is not usual among most birds. It calls to us as women to speak our truth, and to do so with grace. 

The cardinal is a beautiful totem to work with, teaching us balance between Passion and Responsibility, between Assertiveness and Grace, and to never give up.

Cardinal Totem Original Painting Bookmark by Jeanne Fry

This morning while painting, I decided to create a Cardinal Totem on a few bookmarks.

The Cardinal Bookmark has been sold.

The Regeneration of Mother Earth

I continually marvel at (and am  grateful for) the ability of Mother Earth to adapt. We two-legged ones have not been very kind to her over the last several years. We have put undue stresses on her and been disrespectful to this place that we call home. She will occasionally tantrum, and yet she still reaches into her heart and finds away to work around our chaos. 

"The Regeneration of Mother Earth", Contemporary Folk Art Painting by Jeanne Fry

She leaves answers for us in all of her work. When something is poisonous, she will have a remedy nearby. When something has been destroyed, she will heal it and bring new life.

I many times worry that she is taken for granted, and that someday her "fixes" may not be available.

This is what inspired my newest painting

"The Regeneration of Mother Earth"

"The Regeneration of Mother Earth"

The Original Painting has sold, but you can find Art Prints of it available in our Artfire Shop here
Mother Nature Art Print 8x10

It is also available as an Art Print in our Fine Art America Shop. There you can order it as an Art Print, Matted and Framed, on Canvas, On Metal, or as a greeting card
Mother Nature Art Print on Fine Art America

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

My Journey Through Bear Time....Bearfootin' Bear Public Art 2013 for Downtown Hendersonville

I was honored to be asked again by Mike Kai of Morris Broadband to collaborate and create a Bear for this year's Downtown Bearfootin' Bear Project. Having worked with them last year on the "Together We Can" bear, I was excited to be given another opportunity to create a bear to support a new charity and the downtown.

Fiberglass Bear waiting to become Artful

Each bear is a collaboration between a sponsor, a charity, and an artist. Upon completion they are placed on display throughout Downtown Hendersonville from May through October, and are then put up for auction with the proceeds benefiting the chosen charity. 

Last year's bear was a Mother Bear and Cub in a sitting position, while this year's was a full standing Bear. I knew that the height factor and size would be a challenge for me due to my health issues of Lupus SLE and Spondylolisthesis in my spine, but my love of Art and the Bears and Supporting Charities urged me to go forward. 

 Once brought back to my studio it began with a light sanding process to even out its texture and prep for its artful journey. Slowly working through the sanding process was much like a meditation, giving me time to contemplate on the theme of the bear and his design. This year's charity is "Thrive". Their mission is to provide support and opportunities to adults with mental health needs offering community, hope and recovery. Their goal is to help those they serve move from surviving to thriving.

Sanding the Bear...Meditation and Contemplation

During this quiet process the design  had come forward in my mind. The logo of "Thrive" is a sage green leaf branch. I was inspired to incorporate the branch throughout the bear's design, embellishing it further with birds. My artistic take on their mission of moving from surviving to thriving, would now have  birds flying with the branches in their mouths. Along his chest would be a long branch that would symbolically show this process, with a bird beginning in the sitting position...to standing...to getting ready to launch in flight...and then taking off...moving toward a spiral sun that represents its aspirations.

Priming the bear with grey matte prepped my "canvas" for the painting. I used paynes grey, burnt umber, and black to give life to the bear's coat. Using a fan brush, I slowly navigated through giving him texture in his fur.

Textured brushstrokes to give him fur

 Once sanded, primed and the base coat of the bear is done, the exciting part of the design finally arrives. Carefully working around his entire body to accomplish the vision, you find new ways to get to all of the areas. This Bear is taller than me, and so each area had to be worked from a different angle. It was challenging and rewarding at the same time.

There were moments spent outdoors...

Moments spent against work table...

Close detail beginning on face

Birds in Flight toward the Spiral Sun

 I can't truly tell you the length of time it took to complete the Bear, because once in this creative mode....time blends..there are no start and stop times...it becomes Bear Time.
Layers of paint, dry time, paint splattered on clothes, continually moving him to complete your vision, and stepping back to contemplate the process....these things become so much more than doing a painting. It's as if you are creating an entity in itself.

And so becomes "With Wings to Fly", our Bear for the 2013 Bearfootin' Bear Public Art Project.

Front View of "With Wings to Fly"

Back View of "With Wings to Fly"

For those of you that are familiar with my work, you know that most of it revolves around Nature, Animal Totems, and Empowerment...so this project no matter how challenging, is nourishment to my soul. I'm grateful for the opportunity to be involved and hope that it brings a smile to someone's face and that it's message touches someone's heart.
"With Wings to Fly" will be on display in Downtown Hendersonville ( I believe in front of Flight Restaurant) for viewing. His auction will be on October 19th, 2013, when he will be adopted by a loving person.

If you like to learn more about Thrive, the organization that will benefit from it's auction, you can visit their website here
http://thrive4health.org/

Thank you to Mike Kai and Morris Broadband for supporting artists and the community.
http://www.morrisbroadband.com/



Goodbye Old Bear....I will miss our time together.

"With Wings to Fly" and Artist Jeanne Fry

http://www.consciousartstudios.com/