The Story of Jillie the Dragonfly Mermaid

You might be thinking that Jillie is the only one of her kind. Well, she is unique in so many ways, but there are many more like her. Jillie is half Dragonfly and half Mermaid. She comes from the Dragonmaid family who live in the deepest waters in the Bay of Fundy between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Jillie the Dragonfly Mermaid by Jeanne Fry

Now Jillie, being a Dragonmaid, has the special ability to swim in those wonderful deep waters and the ability to fly within the sweet breezes up on the earth scape...both of which she loves doing. She spends her days whale watching and occasionally will ride the water spray from the whales and then fly off among the clouds and dance through the sky. During her exploration flights up top, she listens intently and watches carefully all of the goings on of the humans and animals  who live there. She keeps notes of little stories and sketches pictures of them on a shell tablet she carries with her.

Dragonfly Mermaid Art Doll

In the early mornings right after the sun rises, she goes exploring with her sisters looking for fossils. She loves history and seeing where things come from. This passion of hers has made her a great storyteller, spinning tales for the younger ones and entertaining them for hours. And this is Jillie's destiny...to become the Master Storyteller for all of the Dragonmaids, telling them the tales of the Bay of Fundy and beyond. 

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Folk Art Doll Miniatures carry Bundles of Inspiration

For the past seven years I have created Folk Art Dolls that were created in a variety of themes from whimsical to cultural to spiritual. They have allowed me to explore endless possibilities in mediums, sometimes evolving from Gourd and Paper clay, all Clay sculpts, or Beaded Cloth and Clay. But one of my greatest joys in the creating, is expressing myself through my Art Doll Miniatures.

Beads, Cloth, and Clay to create an Art Doll Miniature

 Folk Art Doll Miniatures are known as Art Doll Ornaments, Ornies, Mini's, and Poppets. I call mine Wisdom Keeper Poppets, because they carry bundles of inspiration in each little Art Doll.

Mermaid Folk Art Dolls by Jeanne Fry

Each of these  Art Dolls are based from cloth and clay. I hand stitch each of them from batik, cotton, one of the many fabrics I have collected over time. Their faces are crafted from Art Doll Clay, and then hand painted with layers of acrylics and sealed with a satin or gloss finish.

Once I have stitched the body and attached the face, the possibilities are endless in how they evolve. I add hair using fleece, fibers, and silk mohair  from alpaca or sheep that has been hand dyed, or knitting yarns. Sometimes I even just bead their hair using seed beads.

Folk Art Doll Miniatures with hand dyed fleece locks for hair

Once she has formed, I begin embellishing with lots of different seed beads, glass beads, clay beads, and beaded trim. I attached small metal charms, ribbon, organza, paper flowers, dried botanical.....the list is endless. (This would account for the countless boxes, bins, and jars of embellishments that fill my studio)

For those that will be Ornaments, I sew a small leather loop on their back. Some have pin-backs so that they can be worn on a coat lapel, attached to a tote bag, or even to a curtain. Some of my Art Doll miniatures are designed to be Wall Hangers, with a loop on their back to hang on a picture hanger on a wall. This alleviates the need for shelf space that many of us have a shortage of.

Many of my collectors carry them in or attached to their purse of tote bag, others hand them in their car or on their office wall.

I tend to create my Art Dolls in themes...Inspirational, Empowering, and Whimsical. I make separate lines of Gnomes Dolls, Mermaid Dolls , and even Rabbit Art Dolls for Easter.

Gnome Folk Art Doll Miniatures

Rabbit Folk Art Doll Ornament

Trinity Goddess Folk Art Doll Wall Hanger

And of course I create Frida Kahlo Folk Art Dolls too, one of my favorite inspirations.

Frida Kahlo Folk Art Doll Ornament

Creating Folk Art Doll Miniatures or Ornies, are such a joy...to create a small piece of Art with large meaningful impact.

If you would like to see my current Folk Art Dolls you can find them in my Etsy and Indiemade shops here

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JeanneFryArt

http://jeannefryart.indiemade.com

Art Dolls and Painting as Expressive Modalities

My artistic passions are split between creating Art Dolls, Painting, and Writing. Because of that you will notice that there tends to be a lag between posts here on the Wisdom Keepers Art Doll blog, since I post when I have completed one of the dolls. Although it doesn't necessarily mean there is a lag in the creativity. Both modalities allow me the freedom to express the stages and processes of being a woman, self empowerment, and inspiration.

I have spent a great deal more time painting this year than in the past. Partly because there has been more of a demand for it, and partly because I have found it to be very beneficial in my expression recently.

Thought I would give you a glimpse at where my creativity has taken me...

The Divine Feminine Original Painting by Jeanne Fry



Perseverance Mare and Maiden Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

Day of the Dead Madame Dragonfly Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

For Those that Walked Before Us Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

The Source Tree of Life Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

Owl Butterfly Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

Luna's Heart Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

She Flies with the Owls Original Painting by Jeanne Fry

She Let's Go of the Weight of the World

My love of both the Painting and creating Art Dolls is equal. Both afford me great expression, and I go back and forth between the two often depending on where the inspiration takes me.

You can see my work on our online gallery on Indiemade
http://jeannefryart.indiemade.com

Or on Etsy at
https://www.etsy.com/shop/JeanneFryArt

Thanks for visiting.

Honoring the Celtic Trees Beth is the Birch Tree Art Doll

I was inspired to create an Art Doll symbolic of the Celtic Trees and their meanings. I chose to focus on the Birch Tree, that represents the dates from December 24th through January 20th. The Celtic name is Beth (pronounced beh), also known as Beithe, Lady of the Woods, and Paper Tree.

Celtic Tree Art Doll Birch named Beth



The Birch is considered to be the Goddess Tree. It's symbolic meaning is Growth, Renewal, and Stability. It is known for the honoring of long traditions.

Beth Birch Celtic Tree Art Doll

The Birch Tree is sacred to Thor, and to the Goddesses Diana and Cerridwen.

Beth Birch Celtic Tree Art Doll

Beth, the Celtic Birch Tree, is created from Gourd and Clay and stands approximately 12.5 inches tall and 9.5 inches wide. She is hand painted with several layers of acrylics to give her a wood sheen look, and then Birch Tree silhouettes are painted around her body. Her arms are branches and she is adorned with Moss around her neck and shoulders and again around her waist. Her hair is natural hand dyed fleece which is adorned with moss and a leaf.
She is attached to a wooden base for display that is signed and dated by me. A story card accompanies her to tell about her meaning.

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Jillian Frost an OOAK Winter Elf Art Doll of Gourd and Clay

I had taken a break for a few weeks from creating Art Dolls so that I could paint, but delved back in for the holidays. Of course my creations don't focus on Santa Claus or Snowmen, but rather on olde stories, lore, and tall tales. Most of them revolve around the woodlands, my favorite part of nature.

Coming back to the studio first produced Jillian Frost. Jillian Frost is a Winter Elf, a gourd and clay art doll.This OOAK figurative sculpture is filled with Woodland elements.

The Story of Jillian Frost

Jillian Frost, a Winter Elf, has arrived in town for the Holidays. Jillian is a mild mannered Elf, tender and caring, and watches over the woodland animals during the long cold days of Winter. She helps the wee ones find warm homes to shelter them and directs them to where they can find food. The birds especially will flock to Jillian, for they can sense her authentic compassion. She allows the winged ones to come into her home and perch on the holiday tree. They build small nests and string popcorn garland on the tall spruce tree, while she bakes cookies in the oven.

Jillian knows what old Jack Frost is up to and when he will be bringing the Frost and frigid temperatures. She is always one step ahead of him, hurrying the woodland animals to their safe havens. Grandma Jillian is most loved in the Woodlands.

Every evening the woodland animals (squirrels, birds, chipmunks, and other wee ones) will gather around Jillian as she tells them stories. They love this time of day when Jillian will spin a story and share with them a snack of gathered nuts and fresh baked bread.

(When Jillian hadn't been adopted after her holiday creation she was packed away, and in a sense had gotten lost in the archives. Now upon her reappearance, she has gotten a makeover and is ready once again to find a new home.)

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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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