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

The Horse Totem, Healing, and a Little Girl

When an artist is in the process of painting, they never truly know how important that piece is going to become in their life. When I am navigating through my process, the focus is on sharing my journey, my growth, my inspirations, and accessing my intuition.

This week the focus behind my paintings was "overcoming". I was immersed in a creative frenzy, painting almost non-stop for three days. Each night my husband urged me to go to bed at a decent hour, but the palette kept my attention until 3am each morning. 

One of the paintings from this run was of a horse totem, named "Run Fast, Run Hard". There was movement in the strokes and a portrayal of speed, as the painting is motivating you to move fast and work hard toward your dreams. 

Run Fast, Run Hard a Contemporary Folk Art Painting by Jeanne Fry

Occasionally over those three days I would post a few photos of what I had been painting on our Facebook art page. As soon as I would share the photos I would go back to painting. My cell phone alerted me of a private message through Facebook, with an inquiry of interest about the painting. 

As soon as I started reading the message from my phone, I was engaged in a story, and knew that I needed to sign into the computer and give it more focus.

A mother in California was interested in purchasing the painting for her 9 year old daughter. As she shared with me the reason that she wanted it, my heart moved to another place....a place in my own past.

Her daughter Ashley has a rare disease that she is battling, Pediatric Sarcoidosis. A lump in my throat started forming as I felt the link with my own Lupus, as both attack random organs in the body. She told me how strong Ashley is and how she loves to paint. She has been loving horses as of late, and since her mom can't give her an actual horse, she wanted to give her my painting.

She included a link to the fundraising site they have set up for Ashley to help cover her medical bills so that I could learn a little more about her. When I opened the link, the tears started falling. When I looked into her eyes, I saw my own when I was little. My mind raced back to when I myself was so young, when at the age of 4 I was in the hospital and became an amputee.

During my hospital stay I had been given a gift by a stranger. The man had stopped me in the hall and had given me a painting of Faith, Hope, & Charity. I never saw the man again, but I still have that painting to this day.

I knew that this painting had to be a gift to Ashley, of that there was no question. The gift that I had received had changed my life, teaching me that love and compassion exist in unexpected places. My hope is that Ashley will feel that too, and always be surrounded by love and support.

This trip back in time, flood of emotions, and decision making all happened in just a few minutes. I soon looked up with the tears welled in my eyes and showed my husband Ashley's link. As soon as he saw it, he said "She looks just like you when you were little", and he himself was fighting back the tears. 

I'm sharing her link here, in the case that you might want to donate to her cause, and should you choose to you are not only helping her and her mom, but my own inner child spirit as well.

http://www.gofundme.com/ashwoodfund

I am grateful for this moment in my life as an artist, as it has been one of the most meaningful exchanges I have ever experienced.

In Love and Light,

Jeanne


 

Finding the Heartbeat in Art

This has been a hard year in weather for us. We have had what seems like continuous battering rains and flooding most of our Spring and Summer. In the process we have lost our gardens and many opportunities to go to art shows. But, what I miss the most is my ability to spend as much time out in nature as I normally would. 

I am a mountain girl. Spending time in the woods and near our lakes and waterfalls comforts my heart like nothing else. This is where I find my balance and my inspiration. 

Without my frequent excursions into nature, I have found myself taking my easel to my porch in order to find my peace.

Last weekend we were invited to a Drum Retreat, with John being asked to provide Native Flute music and Udu drum to the morning meditation. It was a beautiful way to begin our morning, with the sun floating in through the stained glass window.

While originally thinking that we would only stay through the meditation, we found that we stayed most of the day. We sat in on some of the drum workshops and performances and had lunch with our friend Glen (a djembe maker) and his wife Nicole. http://www.dogstardrums.com/

We had the wonderful opportunity to see Alisa Caldwell teach West African dance, who left us feeling re-energized.

 http://www.tedxgreenville.com/conference/tedx_2013/alisa/

Coming home in the afternoon for a brief respite, I contemplated whether to return to the retreat for the evening drum circle. My body was beyond exhausted and in pain, but the urge to paint near the lakeside while the others drummed won out on the decision. 

I was curious if being among so many people in such an active event would be too much of a distraction for me to paint. Only one way to find out I thought, as I scurried through the house to gather my paints, easel, and something....something...to paint on. I found a large sheet of wood and we were off to the drum circle.

I found a little spot on the edge of the circle to set up the easel. There as lots of chatter amongst the drummers while I set up my palette. Soon they were drumming, and even sooner I was painting. I no longer heard their voices nor noticed them moving around. I was at once in tune with the heartbeat of the drum and found my brush moving rhythmically moving to the sound.

I painted what I heard. I painted what I felt. I painted the music.

It took two days for my body to recover from what I have made it endure that day, but the benefit that my spirit received was well worth the expenditure.

"Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together"  Anais Nin

http://www.consciousartstudios.com/

Independence Day Art Sale at Conscious Art Studios

We're wishing everyone a happy 4th of July week ! Here in the South many of our festivities are being dampened or canceled by some incredible rains. Since we are staying indoors, we created a special sale that will run from today July 3rd through Sunday July 7th. 

First, you can collect our unique Art Pendants at 25% off their regular price by using coupon code "FireworksSale" at checkout for the discount. 

The glass art pendants are normally $20, now making them $15. 

You can follow the link to our Art Pendants here

Art Pendants in our Artfire Shop

Crow in the Ancient Healing Garden Glass Art Pendant on Ribbon Necklace

The Path of Life Glass Art Pendant and Earring Set

The art pendant bolo necklaces are normally $15, and by using the coupon will be $11.25. The bolo pendant easily slides on the leather cord to adjust your length.

Art Pendant Bolo Necklace

Then, in another part of the studio, I have created the "25 Dollar Painting Sale". It is a section all it's own and the paintings that are included there are already marked down to the sale price with no special coupons to use. All different sizes, some paintings are on canvas and some on watercolor paper, and all paintings that need a forever home.

You can follow the link  to the Painting Sale in our Artfire Studio here

25 Dollar Painting Sale in Artfire Shop 

Love Hangs On, Original on Canvas 7 x 14

A collection of paintings included in the 25 Dollar Painting Sale

 

Have a beautiful holiday weekend and in your relaxing moments, grab a glass of iced tea and take a browse through the shop :)

Conscious Art Studios Artfire Shop

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/

Spiral Crow Art Print Blog Giveaway in Appreciation for our Readers

Hello and I hope you're having a gorgeous day ! In appreciation of those who are reading my Conscious Art Studios blog, following the symbolism used in our artwork, the stories behind the paintings, and the animal totem meanings....we have had over 30,000 views. To celebrate that, I am having a Blog Giveaway for one of my Spiral Crow Art Prints, that measures 8x10. To have a chance to win it, you just need to leave a comment here on this blog post. If you share a link to my blog, I will enter your name a second time. I will choose a winner at random, Monday evening (February 18th) at 9pm. 

Thank you so much for loving the stories and the artwork and the symbolic beauty of Nature !

Spiral Crow Art Print by Jeanne Fry

Peacock and it's Symbolic Meaning

As many of you know, my art tends to revolve heavily around nature and animal totems. Apparently even when I don't necessarily put my mind to it. The night before I had begun a new painting. My mood was gravitating to a free flowing of paint, abstractness, color, and raw feeling. Layers and textures, acrylics and mineral pigments came to life on the canvas, almost as if in a quiet meditation. Soon, when I stepped back, I saw the eye of a peacock feather, and allowed myself to follow it's direction. Soon there were three peacock feathers, almost standing at attention, greeting you before you could go further. Beyond where they stood was a rich and complex world, to me...the bigger picture. Connecting with the peacock, and a third eye wisdom symbolized in his feather, afforded a higher knowledge of the vast universe. And so...the painting was named "The Gateway to Higher Knowledge".

Abstract Peacock Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

Somehow those animal totems seem to continually slip into my paintings....and I am grateful.

If you would like to see more of the painting it is listed for sale in our Etsy shop here
Peacock Feathers Original Painting for Sale on Etsy

It is also available as an Art Print is several sizes, as a Canvas or Metal Print, or a greeting card on Fine Art America here
Three Peacock Feathers on Fine Art America

Miniature Traveling Shrines for Focused Intentions

I create my Art much like I live my life. I believe in Symbolism. Everything holds a meaning and has a symbolic purpose in our life. I honor nature and her diversity. I honor the animals and the lessons they teach. And I honor each thing that I bring into my home, for each has a purpose dear to my heart.

This week I worked on some miniature shrines, or traveling shrines, since they are so easy and portable to take wherever you want them. Each are a piece of mixed media altered art that began from an altoid tin. Hours were spent on their intentions, their color schemes, and their embellishments making sure that each step of the process was purposeful and precise.

Miniature Altered Art Traveling Shrines by Jeanne Fry

When working with this grouping of shrines, I knew right away what each creation would be. I was creating one for The Love and Happiness of the Dragonfly, one for Reflection, one for Prosperity and Abundance, one for Bear Totem Medicine, and one honoring the perseverance and passion of Frida Kahlo.

Usually when I create a shrine I do so in a larger format and out of wooden boxes, but I do love the versatility of this small size.

Inside  view of Dragonfly Love and Happiness Altered Art Shrine

Inside of Reflection Altered Art Shrine

Inside view of Bear Medicine Altered Art Shrine

Inside view of Frida Kahlo Altered Art Shrine

Inside view of Prosperity and Abundance Altered Art Shrine

Inside view of Prosperity and Abundance Altered Art Shrine

You can learn more about my shrines and see them listed in my Artfire Shop here

Altered Art Shrine in Conscious Art Studios Artfire Shop

Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday Sales on Art at Conscious Art Studios

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays everyone !

We are so happy to offer you a few special sales over Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday on our Art here at Conscious Art Studios. 

Our first sale is on our Artisan Crafted Gemstone Earrings. Earrings are on sale for 50% OFF starting November 22nd thru November 26th. To receive your discount on earrings, please enter coupon code HOLIDAYEARRINGSALE2012 at checkout. Regular price on our earrings is $15.00. Using our coupon code will bring them down to $7.50.

Holiday Sale on Artisan Crafted Earrings at Conscious Art Studios

You can  find all of our earrings in our Artfire Shop here Conscious Art Studios Earring Sale on Artfire

Our next special sale is on Original Paintings. Original paintings are on sale for 30% OFF. To receive your discount on paintings  please enter Coupon Code PAINTINGSALE2012 at checkout. You will find paintings here in many sizes either on wrapped gallery canvas or on watercolor paper

Remember Who You Are, an Original Contemporary Folk Art Painting by Jeanne Fry

You can find all of our available paintings here in our Artfire Shop Conscious Art Studios Original Paintings for Sale on Artfire

We hope that you find something that delights you and speaks to your heart. (Please note while you are browsing, that each item that is on sale will remind you of the coupon code to use to receive your discount)

Many Blessings to you over this Thanksgiving Holiday and thank you for supporting the Arts !

Lizard Tales ~ Art Blog Giveaway

In celebration of our Facebook page reaching 400 likes, as promised we are having a blog giveaway. Along with the Lizard Totem being the most popular totem on our blog...we are going to be giving away 2 of our pieces of Lizard art. One is a hand painted stone tile that measures 6 inches x 6 inches and has a metal hanger on the back so that it can be displayed as a wall piece or set in a small tabletop easel as I often do. The other piece is a hand painted gourd pendant necklace featured with a Lizard Totem, and embellished with amethyst.

Lizard Totem Stone Tile

Lizard Totem Gourd Pendant Necklace

 To enter into the giveaway, please leave a comment here on this post, and we would love it if you would share our blog - through Facebook or Twitter. We will choose a winner at random on Saturday, November 3rd.
Thank you for supporting us through Facebook and here on our blog.
Happy Halloween and Happy Lizard Totems !

Seahorse Totem Symbolic Meaning

The Seahorse is a mystical little being, not often seen by most of us, but an intriguing member of the sea kingdom who's beauty and delicate nature can captivate. The seahorse could be known as the "Buddha of the ocean" due to the patience and diligence he expresses. They "live in the present" and are happy staying in their own little section of the sea, content and serene. They feed on foods that float by them, so they can also be found latching on to nearby plants, waiting..eating.."being".

They have a shared responsibility in mating after a very long courtship and ceremonial dances. Time and attention is paid to detail. In fact, their shared responsibility is shown in their reproduction, as the female deposits her eggs in the male seahorse's pouch, and he carries them until they are born.
Seahorse can remind us to slow down, enjoy each moment, and appreciate what we have.

This Original Painted Bookmark of the Seahorse Totem is available in my Etsy shop here
Original Painted Seahorse Bookmark on Etsy