Jeanne Fry Art

I was intrigued with this particular Sun Goddess, as she has changed greatly throughout history. "Bast" was the ancient Egyptian Lion Goddess of the Sunset, a fierce protector and warrior. Later in time she became known as "Bastet", and instead of being associated with the Lioness, she was connected to the highly revered Cat, and known to be a Protector especially of women, children, and families. Mothers could look to her for fertility and protection of their young ones. (When the Greeks later occupied Egypt, she became associated with the moon instead of the sun) Her name translated  to "She of the Ointment Jar". She was often depicted on ornate alabaster jars that held exquisite perfumes and ointments, and was known as the "perfumed protector". Bast changed and evolved in her symbolism as Egypt's rule and influences changed over history. Throughout all of this change though, she still represented a fierce protection of home, fa...

I have been enchanted with the growing process of the "30 Goddesses in 30 Days" challenge that I have given myself. In a very short period of time the creation of a Goddess painting a day has become a blended part of my day as much as having my tea and eggs for breakfast. Part of the passion is the subject matter of the Goddesses. The other part of the passion is the growth I'm receiving working with the Peerless Transparent Watercolors and the styles involved. Today I finished Number 6 in the series, being "Medeina". Medeina is a Lithuanian Goddess of the Forests. She watches over the trees and the animals who lived in those magical woodlands. Some Forest Goddesses assist hunters, although Medeina's focus is not for helping the hunters but is for protecting the forest and its animal kingdom.  My depiction of her brings her out in a natural world sense, wearing a mask of leaves so she can walk amongst and be a part of that which she watches over...

No collection of Goddesses would be complete without the endearing Greek Goddess of Love, Aphrodite. One of the most beautiful Goddesses, she had the ability to make any Man fall in love with her. She is the ultimate symbol of Passion, and so while of course representing Love she can also be symbolic and useful to those who are striving to Find their passion in Life. Aphrodite carries with her an eternal youth, a spirited soul who hides her age well. Her passion fuels her vibrant being which enchants all who her meet her. She is a wonderful Goddess to look to when one is seeking love, keeping their love fresh, or exploring life to find their passion. Aphrodite is #5 in my 30 Goddesses in 30 Days series, a personal art challenge for myself exploring the use of Peerless Transparent Watercolors. She is available and listed in my Etsy shop here Aphrodite Goddess of Love on Etsy  

I have a deep love and affection for the Venetian Carnival (Carnevale di Venezia), maybe its the culture or the concept but more than that its the pure Art in its expression. The Masks have always inspired me, their elaborate beauty and symbolism. I appreciate them as an art form and their symbolism intrigues me asking "When wearing the Mask is the True person revealing themselves?"  "Are they able to allow themselves to express their inner most secrets?" This painting, "The Goddess of Mardi Gras and Celebration", is my portrayal of the Spirit of Mardi Gras, her deep down spirit emanating for all to see. With flow and movement, you can imagine the dance and the whimsy at the masquerade.  She is #4 in my series of "30 Goddesses in 30 Days". She was painted on 140 lb. Strathmore Watercolor Paper with Peerless Transparent Watercolors, Liquid Pearls, and Metallic Pigment.  She is available in my Etsy shop here Goddess of Mardi Gra...

 My third painting in my 30 Goddesses in 30 Days series is of the Greek Goddess Hera. She is symbolic of Love and Relationships, and is representative of all the facets of womanhood. Often affiliated with the peacock feather, this speaks of beauty and luxury, rebirth and renewal. Many times as women are navigating their life path they experience stages of Personal Growth  and Spiritual Renewal, making the Goddess Hera a wise one to look to. She was known to watch over women throughout their entire life and decision making processes - through their relationships, child rearing, independence, and stability. In essence, Hera is a Goddess nurturing the state of Womanhood. I resonated strongly with the painting during its creation, contemplating her meaning and how it touched my own life. I thought about this stage of womanhood, when you re-evaluate your direction and redefine yourself. These continual Renewal times are understandable when you think of how many hats...

In the wee hours of the morning, while the Moon still reigned the sky, I began on my second Goddess painting for my self challenge. No matter how I try to change my schedule around for creating, I still find myself more inspired at night and so I follow my intuition. (You can read more about this self challenge I am partaking here http://jeannefryart.blogspot.com/2015/01/30-goddesses-in-30-days-artistic.html    ) While my fur babies lay sleeping nearby I spread out my Peerless Transparent Watercolors and began. I knew immediately that Gaia was going to come to the surface this evening. This Greek Goddess, sometimes referred to as the Great Mother, is the Divine that sees over the Earth and its life force.  Her concept came quickly, leading me to give her a skin tone that resembled an earthy landscape and lips like the sea. A small sparrow sits on her shoulder, in reverence of her spirit. I used colors that represented the Earth and the Sea, giving her a wa...

With the entrance of winter and the beginning of a new year, I feel pulled to go deeper within myself and do some re-inventing of sorts. My inner artist desires to be challenged, to explore new styles, mediums, and approaches. I decided to partake in a challenge to  myself, 30 Goddesses in 30 Days. Through this study, I am exploring more free forms of painting using Peerless Transparent Watercolors, a medium new to me. My goal is to capture the essence of an emotion or  a glimpse into the spirit of a goddess, and do so in a more minimalistic style. Normally my painting is very detailed and labor intensive, done in a Contemporary Folk style with acrylics.  My intention for this study is to allow myself a "freeing" of sorts, while creating a simple yet profound subject within the woman essence. The use of the Peerless Watercolors is a quest in itself, using a medium that is a free spirit all on its own. I have to remind myself continually that less is m...