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

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

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

Where does Strength come from?

Where exactly does that strength come from when you feel as if you are backed up against a wall with no other options? Where does it come from when you feel as if you could not take even one more thing piled onto your plate? When you feel distraught and defeated, what is it that makes you take that one more step?

"Strength" a contemporary folk art painting by Jeanne Fry

 Some would say that it was the wisdom gained from life experiences. Others would say it was genetics and how you were raised. I supposed even more would say that their faith lends to their strength. Of course while all of those could be and are valid, I think there is another answer that is truer than true...I believe that our strength lies in a very small place in our hearts and it is called Hope. Even the smallest glimmer of it can fuel a body to get up an try again, to rise another morning, and to forge on through all obstacles.

I believe that this thing called Hope is one of the most important things in our lives, essential to our existence, and often taken for granted. It's something we can all give to someone else, a most cherished gift.

The "Strength" contemporary folk art painting is available in my Etsy Shop here

"Strength" of Woman Painting for sale on Etsy