Black Bear Totem the Spirit of the Appalachia

When I think of the Appalachia, the Smokey Mountains, and the Blue Ridge there are certain immediate things that rush to mind. While I most certainly have a love of these woodlands and am a mountain girl at heart, I also think of all the beautiful creatures that live among us.

Black Bear Spirit of the Appalachia by Jeanne Fry

 If the Appalachia could have its own animal totem, I think it would be the Black Bear. In my mind, the two are synonymous. These mountains speak to me of going inward, reasoning, personal growth, and strength. They seem to awaken parts of you that you had forgotten, and parts that you didn't even know existed. It is here that many find their own personal power and a clarity in their choices.

And it is with these things that the Black Bear wisdom assists us...in becoming who we truly are.

SOLD

She had nothing left to give.....so I gave to her what little I had

Time leaves its mark where it has traveled. A weathered surface and an eroded landscape can be its signature, or maybe just a memory lingering on what used to be.

Yesterday we visited our Sacred Space, a little area nestled along the river that hugs up against a mountain. Its a slow flowing river filled with large boulders that beg you to come sit and be hidden, hidden from everything, even your own thoughts. The mountain embraces and supports you, allowing you to be safe, relaxed, and open. While you are here, you can release your pains, let go of worry, and be filled with strength and inspiration.

We knew before we arrived that things would be different. We knew that there had been a change, new developers had come in to build their housing lots jammed up to the mountain and when doing so began roping off the river. It had always been open to the public as you would drive down the curvy road with pull offs, allowing one to spend time at the river.  But now being able to find even a little space that wasn't roped off, fenced off, and hammered with private signs was a job in itself. 

When finally we spotted a place where we could pull off, the path to the river was a challenging hike. As soon as we entered....it felt like a void.

The water still meandered as it always had, but the energy now was different. As I stood looking around, it looked as if someone had disturbed her. Fallen trees just didn't lay right, and piles of rocks were obviously not in there natural occurrence. Mostly she felt empty, that magical feeling of spirit seemed to have escaped.

I climbed through this new obstacle course and found a large boulder to sit on. I watched the water as it flowed down and sat quietly, but could not feel her (Gaia). There were no birds, no hawks flying over, no dragonflies skipping the water. I layed my hand down on the boulder in order to "hear" her....and I felt emptiness. Where normally I would feel energy, warmth, and life..now what I felt was like a weak pulse. 

She has become a parcel, a possession, fallen into the greed of man. Those that have loved her and cared for her are not longer allowed to come. The circle of life that filled this section of the world doesn't come to visit any longer.

As my hand lay on the boulder, I knew that in her emptiness she had nothing left to give....so I gave to her what little I had.

 I gave her the respect and love that she deserves. I thanked her with my deepest gratitude for the sacredness she had always provided. I attempted to give her what she had always given me....healing.

I got up and started climbing back to the road, so deeply saddened, shaking my head at when "man" will realize that not everything should have a price tag.

I know that we will not visit again, this special place that we gave and received such love. But a little piece of us will always be here with her.

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

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

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

The Bridge Between Earth and Sky, a contemporary folk art series

I have always been fascinated by the elements of the Earth and the Sky, and the blending of the two. Much like our striving for a balance between the physical world and the loftier heights of the ethereal world within ourselves, this is a perfect representation. This walking between both worlds is what has inspired a new series of paintings called "Bridge Between Earth and Sky".

The series will consist of eleven paintings each symbolizing aspects of the Earth, Sky, or both... and the growth that is associated. As each of the paintings are created, I will continue to add them here to this blog post. This series will not be hung at gallery, but will only be shown online.

The Bridge Between Earth and Sky, contemporary folk art painting by Jeanne Fry

 This painting is the focus painting of a new series I am creating called "The Bridge Between Earth and Sky". In the painting, I am expressing the relationship between the Earth and the Sky, in it's contrast and in it's likeness.Much like our striving for a balance between the physical world and the loftier heights of the ethereal world within ourselves, this is a perfect representation. It symbolizes our spiritual sense within our body on an earthly plane, and keeping the balance between the two.
The Bridge Between Earth and Sky Painting on Artfire 

Sky Horse, contemporary folk art by Jeanne Fry

The Sky Horse runs both the Earth and the Sky, able to be in both worlds. He offers a magical journey. Riding swiftly he places dreams inside the stars during the changes of the moon.On those nights when the sky is filled with shooting stars....the dreams are born into reality.

Sky Horse Painting SOLD

Shedding the Past, contemporary folk art by Jeanne Fry

 She changes. She grows. She sheds the past, knowing that she can't move forward while she is burdened with old hurts. She needs room for new growth, space to allow her limbs to reach the vastness of the sky and all of it's possibilities.

Shedding the Past Painting SOLD

Spirit of the Turquoise Cavern, contemporary folk art by Jeanne Fry

Within the turquoise cavern is a spirit, a spirit who infuses light, strength, and healing into each beautiful gem. She works with love,gently blending the rich and earthy turquoise stones with the positive healing aspects of the luminous skies.

Spirit of the Turquoise Cavern Painting SOLD

Waiting for Love, contemporary folk art by Jeanne Fry

She waits....for Love. As she sits on her branch in confidence and faith, she has been manifesting ~ manifesting her true love..her mate...her best friend. She is patient, knowing that in time..all things will come. Until she sees, off in the distance, the arrival of her dream being realized. 

Waiting for Love Painting SOLD

 

Tree of Abundance, contemporary folk art by Jeanne Fry

The Tree of Abundance, full and healthy, carries a diverse mix of multiple colored leaves which represent the ability of abundance to come to you in many ways. It is a reminder that the Universe has infinite abundance, healing,and prosperity...all at your disposal.
Tree of Abundance Painting SOLD

Please stay tuned to my blog, bookmark this site, and follow this series through to it's completion. I will continue adding the paintings until the series is complete. To see the whole series together on Artfire you can click here The Bridge Between Earth and Sky Series available on Artfire

Moose Totem Symbolic Meaning

 

The Moose Totem, one from the animal kingdom that can captivate us in awe, immediately teaches us to not judge a book by it's cover. Because of his large stature and build one would think of them as awkward, but in reality they are quite graceful and adept in their mobility. They have the gift of acclamation and can navigate many types of terrain with skill.

"Moose Medicine" a contemporary folk art painting by Jeanne Fry

 

They move with ease between land and water, a bridge to both worlds, and their link with the water gives them a strong connection with emotions and cleansing...the ability to relate well with others but to also be content alone.

 

Moose is a mentor for building confidence, encouraging those to utilize all of their senses and create a diverse skill set for living in the world...to know when to make their presence known and when to be discreet...to be flexible with changes and learn to work with them...and to live each moment being "aware".

 

It is an excellent totem for those with careers where they need to exhibit diplomacy, to have the ability to know when to be strong and firm, and when to be more delicate and gentle.

 

Moose has the ability to understand self and others and how to be flexible on this journey through life.

 

 

The "Moose Medicine" painting is available in my Artfire Studio if you would like to learn  more about it. Moose Medicine Painting on Artfire

Dragonfly Totem Meaning

 

Dragonflies are one of the most beautiful and delicate animal totems to work with. They will usually  show up when one needs to be reminded of keeping a balance in their emotions. It reminds us to look at different perspectives and to live in the present.

Dragonfly Photo by John Fry

 

The dragonfly's beauty of light and color encourage us to let our own light shine, and in turn encourages others to do the same. They can inspire us with their balance of skill, agility, and strength while all the while doing so with grace and ease.

Their excellent aeriel skills, symbolic of gliding gracefully through life with it's many twists and turns, can lead us by example to do the same

Dragonfly in Autumn Painted Greeting Card by Jeanne Fry

 

 

 

 

 

The Dragonfly photo above is available in our Fine Art America Studio as a print in many varieties. You can visit it here

Dragonfly Print on Fine Art America

 

The Original Painting on Greeting Card is a 5 x 7 that can be framed or given. You can find it here in our Artfire Studio

Dragonfly in Autumn Original Painted Greeting Card

 



Earth Day on a Spiritual Level

Earth Day became a recognized day quite some time ago. It becomes more and more popular each year as our global family becomes increasingly aware of it's importance and the things that we can do to give back to the land.  I stay in tune with it every day...trying to stay aware of my footprints on the Earth and how all of our choices have an effect on something else. But it's more than that for me, for it feeds my soul.

Respecting the land that we live on has become a part of my spirituality. Honoring the cycles of life, death and rebirth, and the seasons, correlates with all aspects of the spirit. My personal growth can run parallel to that of my surroundings. I find more solace in nature than in a self help book. When days run into each other and monotony sets in, things can feel stagnant. As soon as you step outside and are aware, you can feel  how immense the universe is, how there is truly an abundance in life to draw from, and manifesting seems so much more possible. Somehow all of those little things that we stress on, that snowball and become big things that we stress on...are more easily put in perspective when you allow your feet to feel the Earth again.

I am always impressed with the mood changes Earth has...she can shift from serene  and calming, to intense and passionate, to angry and tantrums....so much like us humans who walk upon her. And you realize...it will change. It always does. Nothing stays the same.

Maybe those large entities that take her for granted, who dump and pillage her resources out of greed, somehow lost touch with her long ago. I think they forgot how to see, feel and touch life. My hope is that one day they can remember...how it feels to have a bird in the hand, to nurture something as it grows, to feel the breeze on your face, or to be in awe of it's immense beauty and strength.

I hope that everyone has a meaningful Earth Day, and maybe you can share with someone else it's importance, and one by one we can change our responsibility level.

Nature, our Earth, is reflected in all of my art work, because of it's simple importance in my life. My hope has always been that when it is shared with others.....it raises their awareness as well.