Loving Mother Earth Contemporary Folk Art Doll and Symbolism

Mother Earth, Gaia, Mother Nature....the personification of the feminine influence that resides over this beautiful botanical garden that we call Earth and all of it's creatures is in my thought processes every day when I am creating. I have such a strong connection with nature and the animals, a mothering instinct, seeing the beauty in all that exists. My appreciation spans from the smallest butterfly cocoon to the tallest redwood tree. 

Loving Mother Earth, Contemporary Folk Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

She is always creating a balance in this circle of life, many times having to recreate the natural order of things to accommodate our human actions. 

She is the focus of my "Loving Mother Earth" folk art doll. I sculpted her face in attempt to capture the balance that she herself holds....a compassionate serene expression that is full of wisdom and at the same time carrying a strength to do what needs to be done. She may even hold a bit of sadness over how we as humans treat her, but still she creates a bounty of beauty for us to live within. She serves as a reminder to think about how we treat the earth we live on, and how we leave it for those that will come after us.

Close up view of "Loving Mother Earth" sculpt

Loving Mother Earth Contemporary Folk Art Doll

She was created as a wall hanger art doll, to display prominently, as a reminder of the beauty that surrounds us each day.

SOLD

Gaia Earth Turtle Folk Art Doll

When I think of all the animals that walk, fly, or slither in our world, I think of the turtle as one of the most connected to the Earth. She steps slowly and quietly as she moves, feeling the pulse of the ground as she walks, almost as if she is in a meditation. I imagine her in deep conversation with the Earth as she meanders, listening to stories of what used to be,and how things will be in the future. And  I imagine her telling those same stories to her young ones, teaching and guiding them as they grow. 

Gaia Earth Turtle, a contemporary folk art ornament by Jeanne Fry

"Gaia Earth Turtle is the elder of all the Turtle Family. She holds the wisdom for all and shares her stories daily. Her stories tell of our connection with the Earth, how to care for her, and the importance of our relationship with her. She begins teaching the turtle clan when they are very young, so that as they grow they share the knowledge with others. She steps lightly, with care and respect, as she walks upon our living Earth..grateful for it's gifts."

SOLD

Earth Meets Sky ~ Gourd Art Doll Exhibit

My latest collection of work revolves around the theme Earth Meets Sky: The Emergence of Woman. My goal was to show representations of women that are balanced and in tune with Nature and the Elements. Women that have emerged in their own full rite, as strong and compassionate women, who are confident and comfortable in their own skin.

"Sweetgrass Blessings to the Star People"

~ As  sweetgrass is burned in ceremony, blessings are sent to the heavens where the Star People reside~

(She is created from Gourd and Clay, with layers of acrylics to give her a rich look. She holds a bowl in her arms with Sweetgrass, which is used in blessing ceremonies. A sweetgrass braid also surrounds her base. Her hair is braided down the back and adorned with feathers.)

"Earth Meets Sky Kachina Gourd"

The Kachina Gourd was created to express the Spirit of the combination of Sky and Earth elements...using the symbolism of the sun designs and colors along with the symbolism of mountain ranges and earth colors.A balance of Unity.

Diana the Huntress of the Moon

I was inspired to create Diana to represent the woman who is known as a great huntress, adept at capturing what she is seeking. She is affiliated with the Moon, thereby tying in her symbolic representation of connection between and Earth and Sky.

She is created from Gourd and Clay and embellished with wooden bead necklace, beautiful alpaca fleece for hair which is tied back, and she holds her bow made of wood and sinew.

"Gaia"

The all-knowing representation of Mother Earth, who's tree limbs extend to touch the skies in a balance of completing the circle.

Gaia is created from Gourd and Clay, handpainted, and is embellished with leaves and fibers.

Zorya ~ The Three Attendants to the Sun

This piece was inspired from a Slavic legend of Zorya. The three attendants to the sun were known as the Morning Star, the Evening Star, and the Midnight Star. The Morning Star opened the gates to release the Sun Dog. The Evening Star ushered the Sun Dog back in and closed the gates. The Midnight Star held the dying Sun until the next morning when it would be released again.

Created from Gourd and Clay.

Medicine Woman of the Four Directions

She is known to honor the directions in all that she is and does. The symbolism of them is handpainted on the front of her. The East for new beginnings, the South for the Present, The West for Completion, and the North for the unformed.

Created from Gourd and Clay. She sits on a tapestry that matches her head wrap.

 "The Blossoming of New Beginnings"

I love all aspects of gardening and growing beautiful and plentiful things from the soils, and so the collection would not have been complete without a representation of a new blossom. She is created from a Gourd with clay petals. She emerges from the petals, peaking out at her new beginning, enchanted with the new world.
Gourd, Clay and Hand dyed Fleece

"Wings of Transformation"

After spending her time in the cocoon of lessons, she has emerged to greet her new self, and test her wings in flight.

Created from Gourd and Clay, she is clothed in in beautiful folk fabrics, butterfly wings held in her pockets, and two metal discs that read "Wander" and "Inspire", which will help her on her next journey of helping others in their transformation.

"Earth Tapestry"

A handpainted wood carving on base, representing the rich and complex Universe that we all live in.

Embellished with feathers and beaded base.

I loved creating this series, with so many of their stories dear to my heart.

 

These creations have all been SOLD, but you can visit my Etsy and Indiemade shops to see my current Art Dolls
https://www.etsy.com/shop/JeanneFryArt

or
http://jeannefryart.indiemade.com

The Divine Feminine and Creative Inspiration

Where do you go to when you are connecting with your Inspiration? When you need that fresh flow of ideas that results in a burning desire to put everything  else aside and grab your brush or put the clay on the table, what was your spark?

I can get those little energetic pulses from all of the usual places; nature, reading poetry, listening to music, but my main source that it always comes down to is the Divine Feminine. Those women that came before us, the ancestors and deities, that's what lies at the heart of most of the work I create.

(Statue from Brookgreen Gardens)

I connect with their stories, their history, their strength, and their passion. They are reminders to me of perseverance, creation, compassion, strength, and to embrace our own abilities to make a difference in the world.

(Statue from Brookgreen Gardens)

(Statue from Brookgreen Gardens)

Beyond the historical women, it breaks down in simplicity ~ The Divine Feminine. This is what creates the intricate fabric of our being, the complexities that make us complete, and the balance of strong yet gentle.

Different cultures and different religions, have a name for this presence ~ Gaia, Kuan Yin,  Our Lady of Guadeloupe, Diana the Huntress,Saraswati,  Mother Mary, Mother Earth, Venus of Willendorf, or Isis...the list is long.

(Statue from Brookgreen Gardens)



It is within this deep connection that I draw my inspiration and use that energy to help empower others through my artwork.

SOLD

(The Statues mentioned above are just a very very few of the beautiful statues at Brookgreen Gardens. To get more information about the Gardens you can visit their site )

http://www.brookgreen.org/