Indian Summer Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

Indian Summer was inspired by the beautiful time when summer is leaving and Fall is arriving, that gorgeous burst of color that begins to emerge, a warm and passion filled pallete.
This is my favorite time of year, that reminds me of childhood memories of candy apples and apple cider, chilly mornings and light jackets, long winding roads lined with colorful leaves, and the coming of family holidays.

Indian Summer Gourd Art Doll by Jeanne Fry



Fall probably became my favorite season when I was a child in the Northeast. I remember going to the "Cider Mill" every year. This was such a magical place, to me. You could go and watch them making Apple Cider and Donuts through the window lined hallway. The front was dotted with large barrels that were filled with every kind of candy apple you could imagine. Jams, Jellies, Scarecrows, and Fall crafts lined the shelves. At the back of the building was a playhouse, so that during your visit you could take your goodies to the back, have a seat,  and watch a live play in the playhouse.

I loved walking the long country roads that were decorated with Mother Nature's splash of colors and the cool air that made you feel alive.

The smells peremeated the air with women baking...zucchini breads, banana breads, nut breads, and oatmeal cookies. And it was the time of the crockpot, where the food would slowly cook all day, making you wait and savor the meal you were going to receive.

These are just a few reasons why, Fall is my absolute favorite season.

My hope is that "Indian Summer" reminds you of some of these things.

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Melody and the Songbird Art Doll inspired by Domestice Violence Survivors

You see, long long ago, Melody's Voice was stolen. Since that time, she had spent years saddened by that fact that she couldn't communicate with her friends, couldn't enjoy lovely chats, couldn't speak her mind....

One day the Songbird came to her as she was sitting on her porch. The songbird chirped and sang, chirped and sang. This delighted Melody at how close the songbird came to her, no fear, and yet sang away. The Songbird came to her everyday, singing and chirping. They began to expect one another. One morning while the songbird was visiting, Melody, while in pure delight, opened her mouth and a song emerged...HER song. Her voice was beautiful and pure, unbridled. The Songbird had lured her voice back.

It was a new voice for sure, wise and strong. The two were inseparable and the best of friends. From then on, they sang together, spreading their songs of beauty and strength.

Melody was inspired by every woman that has survived Domestic Violence.

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I Will...a Woman's Promise to Herself

Day in and Day out..we make our Lists. Lists of things we need to accomplish each day, the errands,the phone calls, the tasks, and responsibilities. When I flip back through the notebook of Lists, I begin to notice that I don't include things on the list that are for ME. They are all tasks that are related to making a living or the duties of living, but they are not necessarily the acts related to caring for myself and my spirit.

Maybe I assume that those things are to be done in my Spare time?? And I realize what a disservice I am doing to myself. It is now that I determine to ensure that I am put on my own list. Nurturing my own body and soul is as important as caring for my home, taking care of the family, and making a living.

As an artist I create, but not necessarily for myself. Yes, it is what resides deep inside of me, but not really for ME. Lost is my time for journaling, or doing a painting that is intended for my home. My works are intended to be empowering for others, yet who is empowering me?

This weekend I pulled a painting out of my inventory to keep for my own, to hang in my bedroom, and felt....what a gift for myself.

And now I promise myself that I will include Me on my to do list each day, and hope that my other women friends include themselves on their own lists.

This past week I created a new art doll, named "I Will"

"I Will...release my Inner Child....

I Will nurture my mind and soul...





I Will attend to my own needs...

I Will take time for ME each day."

"I Will" is a reminder to every woman to regard her own needs as important as everything else on her list.

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Creating in the Solitude

The past week has been a more quiet and focused week by my choosing. With lots of things on my plate between Life and my Art, I needed to have some quiet time to straighten things out.

In those quiet moments, while contemplating Life on Life's terms...I spent time creating.

Some of the smaller works that were completed were some small Art Doll Ornaments and Wall Hangers.

Anita of the Oak Grove ~ Art Doll Wall Hanger

Anita was inspired by a sketch after spending time in the nearby woods. Imagining what kind of wee Fae you would find there, came the sketch of Anita. She's very shy and inhabits a patch of wild flowers sitting under a large Oak tree.

Jenny Blue Mermaid Art Doll Hanger by Jeanne Fry



Folk Art Guardian Angel Art Doll Ornament

She Loved Flowers so much...she BECAME one

Dragonfly Wisp Art Doll Pin

Clarissa Mermaid of the Nova Scotia Waters

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Atalya Mermaid Keeper of the Seahorses by Jeanne Fry

Atalya Mermaid ~ Keeper of the Seahorses by Jeanne Fry

Atalya Mermaid lives in a quiet cove of pristine blue waters. She is regarded as royalty, respected for her wisdom and compassion for life around her.

Atalya Mermaid Keeper of the Seahorses OOAK Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

When she was young she befriended the Seahorses, and learned quickly they needed help protecting themselves for they are so delicate and small in their vast ocean home.
Later she became known as the Keeper of the Seahorses, for her constant caring of these beautiful creatures.

Mermaid Gourd Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

Whenever you see her swimming (if she lets you spot her that is), you will find a whole gaggle of little Seahorses following after her, listening to her stories and playing games.

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Frida Kahlo and her Importance to me as an Artist

The popularity of Frida Kahlo, Mexican Artist and Inspiration to many women, has grown leaps and bounds over the years. Her rich history, life as an artist, challenges with her health,zeal for life, and passionate yet stormy marriage to Diego Rivera, all lent to our fascination with her and her importance in the art world.

Each of us that admires her, more than likely has something in common that they can relate with in her.

For me, what is it that lends to my affection for her?

As an artist with a disability, I admire her for her endurance..her endurance to continue to live a full and rich life in spite of the challenges, to create what was in her heart, and her ability to use her voice in so many ways.

I think of Frida often when I am painting or sculpting, especially in those moments when I am living with great pain and feel empty..and I am soon revived in Spirit.

To me, Frida lights the candle in a darkened room.

Frida Kahlo Art Doll by Jeanne Fry


This weekend, I completed an art doll of Frida - a reminder to live a passionate life.

Frida Kahlo Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

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Naomi the Blue Ridge Mountain Gnome

Naomi the Blue Ridge Mountain Gnome

Naomi

I have always been enchanted by the Wee Ones...gnomes, faeries, elves, brownies...all the wee people that live in the forests. Their stories and their abilities have fascinated me since I was a child.

This is Naomi, who hails from the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Naomi has a very important job in her Gnome community. High up in the mountains of the Blue Ridge, she is a Botanical Gatherer.

Naomi ~ Blue Ridge Mountain Gnome

Early in the mornings you may spot her, walking delicately through the woods and gardens, gathering up dried flowers, herbs, fern sprigs, and twigs for the women's crafts.

If you notice that your gardens look manicured and tidy, it probably means that Naomi was present that morning.

While you are visitng our website, you will also find four other Wisdom Keeper Art Doll that are on sale at half price...So have a look, you may be enchanted. 

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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

Danu the Bellydancing Mermaid ~ OOAK Art Doll by Jeanne Fry

Being enchanted by Mermaids and their Lore, inspired my lastest creation of the Bellydancing Mermaid ~ Danu.

Danu is the first Bellydancer Mermaid..a crusader in the Seas. She is so attuned to the Rhthyms of the Ocean, the Beat of the Current, that she can not contain herself from the Dance. The flow of her movements

coincide with the movement of the currents, and her Dance delights all of her neighbor Ocean Dwellers.

Danu is approximately 11 inches tall. She is an OOAK, Original One of a Kind Art Doll. Her body is designed from Batik fabric that is hand stitched. Her face is sculpted of Prosculpt Clay and them handpainted with layers of Acrylics to give it depth. She is adorned with a Metal Bauble Waistlet, and she holds a Seahorse in one hand and a Shell in the other. A light Beaded and Metal Pendant necklace graces her neck. Her  shawl has small bells that jingle when she does her dance, with one attached to the tip of her tail as well. She is attached to a wooden base for display that is signed and dated by me, and has sea shells attached to it.

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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.

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(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/