Art in Honor of Ruth Bader Ginsburg - the Notorious RBG

As an Artist, I think when we are overwhelmed with feelings it is often easier to express them through our art. This was definitely the case for me when we lost Ruth Bader Ginsburg.  I was working in my Studio that day while the TV was softly playing in the corner. Breaking News had cut in to announce it and almost simultaneously it felt like my heaft sunk to the floor.  It just couldn't be....it just COULDN'T. Even now I struggle to be able to describe the flood of emotions. The only reaction that I could express was to grab my clay. 

I often sculpt my Art Dolls in a combination of Gourd and Clay,  and I quickly remembered that I had a gourd mounted on a wood base that would be perfect. I always keep the natural form of the gourd in my sculptures and this one would be great in expressing her posture.  

I'm not certain how long I immersed into her creation, just know that it was days. Each day I thought about the incredible, dedicated work that she did, her thoughtful dissents, and her work ethic. I thought about her blessed and loving marriage, how her husband encouraged her to be herself and follow her dreams, and how he was ber biggest cheerleader.  I thought about her love of the opera and how she knew the value of feeding your soul with the arts. 

As I slowly, mindfully, painted each brushstroke I imagined she used the same process when writing her dissents.  And my hope was that the completed sculpture would reflect the amazing spirit of my hero, the Notorious RBG.  

Rest in Power, dear Ruth. 

You can see more of her on my website here RBG Ruth Bader Ginsburg OOAK Art Doll

#ruthbaderginsburg #rbg #rbgart #thenotoriousrbg #restinpower #ooak #artdoll #contemporaryfolkart #originalsculpt #gourdandclay #originalartforsale  #jeannefryart

An Original Figurative Sculpt of the Venus of Willendorf - Goddess Statuary

My most recent artwork is an original Gourd and Clay sculpture , fashioned after the Venus of Willendorf, which makes a meaningful and stately Goddess statue or symbolic addition to an altar.

Venus figurines are found artifacts of the human female which often had exaggerated body features, created during the Upper Paleolithic era. The Venus of Willendorf is thought to have been created 30,000 BCE.  

In the past and especially in other cultures, voluptuous women were often thought to be more vibrant, attractive and fertile. Sadly though, for many years here in the United States our main stream media has inundated us with a concept that beauty is staggeringly thin with features that are difficult to attain. For decades women have stressed on this concept and many have punished their bodies attempting to reach this corporate ideal.

Today Willendorf is still admired and loved by many, symbolic of Womanhood, the Mother, the Divine Feminine, Fertility,  the Sacred Female, and Abundant Life.

This piece is an Original Sculpt of Gourd and Clay that measures approximately 15 inches in height x 7 inches in width. She is permanently mounted on a wooden base that is painted black, signed and titled underneath. She was painted with Acrylics and sealed with a soft satin finish.

You can see more of this Willendorf statue on my website here 

Original Sculpt of Willendorf

Cho Ku Rei - Reiki Prayers Spirit Doll

As a Reiki Master and Energy Worker, sacred space is so very important to me. I find it essential to create spaces in my home that are comfortable, feel safe, feel nurturing, even healing. (Comfort bypasses proper Interior Design every time. ) I always chuckle when family and friends visit because they will navigate directly to every one of my personal spaces...in the living room, kitchen, even my studio/office. Yes, I do Space Clear and practice Feng Shui, so I suppose at the end of the day it's all about the Energy to me.

I utilize colors and symbols throughout my home - everything that is placed has an Intention.  I also have Prayer Altars, yes multiple.I have a formal one in the living room, but my more personal ones are in my Art Studio, Kitchen, and Bedroom - these being important energy centers for me. 

Over the last few weeks I have been creating some small Gourd and Clay Sculptures and Spirit Dolls, each with a focused theme, that can be placed on one's prayer altar. The newest one that I am sharing today is named "Cho Ku Rei", representative of one of the Reiki healing symbols. 

Cho Ku Rei in Reiki is symbolic for Power, Energy, and as an Amplifier. Often when it is described, it is defined as 

"Place the power of the Universe here". 

This OOAK (original one of a kind) Spirit Doll is an original sculpt of natural Gourd and Clay. I later used Acrylics and painted this petite dark haired beauty wearing a sage green dress with her arms held in front of her in prayer. There are subtle spirals throughout her dress, grooved in the clay. The Cho Ku Rei symbol is painted in purple, as a design on her dress. She is wearing a purple and green head wrap. Her eyes are closed in sacred thought. The sculpture sits on clay base that is painted purple with the words Cho Ku Rei on the front. 

She would be a perfect addition to a Healing Prayer Altar in one's home, but also welcomed in a Yoga space, a Massage Therapist's office, or at Reiki circles. 

The Five Reiki Principles

Just for Today...I will not worry
Just for Today...I will not be angry
Just for Today...I will do my work honestly
Just for Today...I will give thanks for my many blessings
Just for Today...I will be kind to my neighbors and every living thing.


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Triple Moon Goddess Spirit Doll Sculpture for Prayer Altar

There are times when we are seeking guidance when we know specifically that we are seeking wisdom from the Maiden, or the Mother, or from the Crone. There are other times when we have more difficult challenges to work through and we look to the Triple Moon Goddess in her entirety for sage support. In either case, I wanted to create a small sculpture to keep on a prayer altar that could reflect the embodiment of the Triple Moon Goddess AND  that could do so in a way that many Goddess  beliefs could connect spiritually. 

This OOAK (Original One of a Kind) Spirit Doll is a Gourd and Clay Sculpture that measures 5 inches in height and 3 inches in width. It makes her perfect not only for the sacred space in your home, but is also small enough to take along while traveling or to spiritual gatherings. 

Often during prayer, I will look tot the Maiden when I begin new ventures, projects, or times of new growth. I will look to the Mother when I am focused on protection, fairness, relationships, abundance and health matters. And I look to the Crone for spiritual support, bigger picture views, wisdom,  transitions, and healing. 

You can see ore of her on my website here

Triple Moon Goddess Spirit Doll Sculpture

Retreat to your Sacred Space - Goddess Art Sculpture

"Retreat to your Sacred Space" 

Your spirit is valuable, and you should treat it as a cherished treasure. Taking quality time to care for yourself is essential, just as important as drinking good clean water and eating fresh foods.  . Often we can't go jetting off on mini vacations or trips to the spa when we need to refresh our spirit, but we CAN take a Retreat to our Sacred Space. 

I encourage everyone to have a Sacred Space - a space that is just your own - that is specifically set up as a place of healing energy for you. The components would be different for everyone, but the end result should be that after you have spent time in the space, you feel more Clarity, more Peace in your Heart, a release from Stresses, Renewed, and Spiritually Connected. 

Maybe you spend time in your Sacred Space doing introspective journaling. Or maybe you spend time listening to audio books, or poetry readings. Maybe you listen to soulful violin music that helps you release emotions. Perhaps you listen to wind chimes blow around as you meditate on a large comfy pillow. You might partake in Tea Ceremony or take your beautifully put together healthy lunch and eat it slowly and purposely while thinking on Gratefulness.

You also have a Sacred Space inside yourself. And there are times when we all take a small retreat there to Think...and Listen. 

You can find this OOAK (Original One of a Kind) Gourd and Clay Sculpt on my website here 

https://jeannefryart.indiemade.com/product/goddess-art-womans-face-sphere-titled-retreat-your-sacred-space-gourd-and-clay-ooak-goddess-

The Thoughts and Symbolism behind this Gourd and Clay Sculpted Spirit Doll titled "No Apologies"

I wanted to talk for a few moments about the symbolism and intention behind my new Figurative Sculpt titled "No Apologies". 

No Apologies for Being my Authentic Self - Spirit Doll

Over the past two weeks I created a concept through 3 separate art modalities - Watercolor Painting, Sculpture, and Writing. The concept that I was portraying was "No Apologies for Being my Authentic Self".
In the Sculpture modality I used Gourd and Clay as the base of a Spirit Doll, a part of my Wisdom Keeper Art Doll collection, honoring the many layers of being a woman. The compilation of mixed media in this piece brings together Gourd, Clay, Handmade Paper, Wood, and Acrylics.

Her story reads as follows:

No Apologies will be made when she is speaking her truth, for she will no longer water it down or deliver it in small palatable pieces. Her Truth is not spoken in malice. Her Truth is spoken with strength and with grace. 

No Apologies will be made in honoring her own truth, for she will respect the needs of her own Spirit, just as she respects and listens to the needs of others. 

No Apologies will be made when she is drawing her line. Her boundaries are healthy and honor her Soul. 

No Apologies will be made when she is defending her line. Her boundaries are transparent and let you know where she stands. 

No Apologies will be made if it appears that she has changed, and no apologies will be made on how long those changes may have taken. She will celebrate her conscious evolving, always respecting what feels right in her heart. 

No Apologies will be made when she reveals her Authentic Self. She may have been afraid to show herself in the past, or she may have been afraid to defend herself in the past, but she is not afraid Today. 

Today, she lives, loves, and breathes from her deepest sense of Truth, 

and she does so with No Apologies." 

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Her Sacred Heart a Woman in Prayer -Gourd and Clay Spirit Doll Figurative Sculpture

When she is happy, she stands in prayer.

When in sadness, she stands in prayer. 

When she is worried, she stands in prayer. 

And when she is afraid, she stands in prayer. 

Her prayer is a part of her, like a deep breath, 

it is natural and complete. 

It keeps her focused, reassures her heart, and 

allows her to keep Standing. 

Each word that she speaks, each step that she takes,

are in alliance with her Sacred Heart. 

You can see more of "Her Sacred Heart" in my Etsy here

Her Sacred Heart Original Sculpted Art Doll

Considering my Art Dolls as members of my Wisdom Keeper Family

Over the years I've been asked many times if I keep any of my Wisdom Keeper Art Doll creations, and if it is hard putting them up for sale because of a sense of attachment. 

To the first part of the question...I keep very few of my creations. I could probably count on one hand the number of Wisdom Keepers I have kept in my realm. The ones that I have kept marked a significance for me, symbolic of growth as an artist or growth as a woman. Do I have favorites? Yes, but they change over time like my own sense of being. 

One Wisdom Keeper that I have kept holds a special place in my heart, although I have to say I don't even quite remember the name I titled her with. To me she represented Magic, the magic and beauty  of being a woman, being able to manifest, and a sense of whimsy. While many of my art dolls could reflect that same thing, this one was different....she had Toes ! 10 glorious toes !As an amputee, this was special to me because as I created each toe and painted the nails, it was as if I was doing so for myself. 

Clay Sculpted Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

While I love each of the art dolls for their own special attributes and what their symbolism means to me, I don't feel a great sense of attachment for I feel that their being is meant for someone else to begin with. 

Another Wisdom Keeper that was special to me was my first commissioned piece. I have to say that creating a commissioned art doll is far more gratifying and special, because during that creative process I feel that I am connecting energetically with the recipient, and the Wisdom Keeper itself holds something far more amazing. 

Crow Goddess - Wisdom Keeper Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

I was in love with the Crow Goddess, as she just embodied a sense of peace, wisdom, and mystique. 

When I began creating the Art Dolls with Gourd and Clay, my creativity went wild. I love working with those mediums and found that the ways I could "play" were endless. My senses evolved, feeling like the Cloth and Clay art dolls were symbolic of inward processes and soul work, and the Gourd and Clay art dolls were more reflective of our outward projections of being a woman. In a sense they reflected the symbolism of the new moon and the full moon; the contrasts of the vibrant dancing singing woman of the full moon vs. the quiet reflective poetic woman of the new moon. 

The Storyteller Gourd Wisdom Keeper Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

The "Storyteller" was one of the first Gourd creations, her meaning so special to me, of the importance of passing on the stories and history. 

Ecstasy in Motion - Gourd Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

I then began to explore working with the fluidity of motion within the art dolls. This truly changed something in me as an artist, bringing a sense of deeper connection. 

But no matter the medium or style of creative process, each Wisdom Keeper carries a sense of reverence of being a woman and it is that feeling that I ultimately wish to share with others. 

Someone asked, if one of the Wisdom Keepers were "you', which one would it be?

As an artist I am sure that there is a piece of me within every art doll, but I suppose the one that most reflects how I feel inside......

Peace and Love,

Jeanne

Grandmother Honey Bee, Gertrude HoneyPot, a Whimsical Gourd Art Doll

Everyone has heard of and knows about the Queen Bee, but not that much has been said about her mother, Gertrude HoneyPot. Gertrude is Grandmother Honey Bee, and she is loved and cherished by ALL the Bee kingdom. She is much like your own loving thoughts of those grandmothers who bake cookies and spoil their grandchildren...for she is visited by the young ones every afternoon.

They hurriedly fly off to Grandmother's nook of the hive, anxious to visit with her and hear her stories. When they leave they are always filled with excitement because she instills in them that ANYTHING is possible if they put their minds to it. She explains to them how the humans say that the honey bees shouldn't even be able to fly because their wings are so small in relation to their bodies....but they CAN. 

Each evening when they return home they dream of all the things they would like to do and the places they would like to go. Grandmother keeps their spirits imaginative and builds their spirits bigger than the sky.

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The Chrysalis of a Woman - Symbolic Growth of a Woman and a Butterfly

Women, strong yet delicate, are much life the Butterfly. Our spirits are constantly evolving through the different stages of being, like the metamorphosis of a monarch. The ability of being "nurturers"  allow us to embrace our changes and immerse into every complicated and beautiful moment of them. This process of personal growth inspired my new sculpted creation, titled "The Chrysalis of a Woman". The symbolism was written as a letter from "Mother Butterfly" to the woman as she emerges from her cocoon.

Welcome dear one,
Welcome to You. I've been watching over your metamorphosis for a long long while. I've stood by your side when you have lost your way, and motivated you when you became discouraged. And here you Are !
Underneath that cocoon, seemingly a security blanket but truly an illusion, is the beautiful brilliant authentic You. Shedding each of those layers that protected you while you were transforming was not always easy, I know.
As you open your eyes for the first time it may appear that you are in the same place, but trust me dearest, you are not. This is Your World and you can now Fly. Now your eyes see what is truly important, your heart feels with surety the directions in which you will travel, and most importantly your wings know no bounds. 
Fly sweetest, and enjoy every breathtaking and magical moment.
In Divine Love,
Mother Butterfly

"Chrysalis of a Woman" is an OOAK Gourd and Clay Sculpted Art Doll, a part of my Wisdom Keeper Art Doll collection. She is listed in my Etsy shop where you can learn more about her creation and adopt her if she resonates with your soul.

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