Wind Dancer

I have always admired the native american culture and arts. I wanted to capture the feeling of being wild and free. This art piece has been painted on a 9 x 12 wooden plaque. The price of this piece is $200.00. I feel it envelopes the look and feel of the indian maiden in all her glory riding her steed who dances in the wind.

She is Wild, She is Free
She is one with the Wind

Peaceful is the valley
Where the Indian maiden walks
The morning skies above her
As nature soars and squawks.

She knows ancestral spirits
Will protect her and will guide
As the trail leads her much higher
Along the mountainside.

She is a lovely beauty with her
Darken skin aglow
She gathers roots and berries
To preserve through winters cold

She crosses open prairie,
Bareback upon her steed,
Thinking of a brave she soon will marry
To keep the tribal creed.

With heavy heart she rises
Returning to the band,
Baskets of fresh berries
Held tightly in her hand.

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

Dragon Dreams

This is another RiverRock Critters Fantasy Art painting on a 5 x 7 wood plaque. I wanted to use a multitude of colors to emphasize the imagery of a fantasy dragon and to convey his mystical power.

Dragons are the embodiment of primordial power - the ultimate ruler of all the elements. This is because the Dragon is the master of all the elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Wind. As a totem, the Dragon serves as a powerful guardian and guide. Encourage communication with your Dragon, and acknowledge your Dragon's presence as often as possible.

Their weakness is a fondness for beautiful gems, precious metals, tokens of magic and the occasional poem or spirited song of an accomplished bard.

In Chinese culture, the season of the Dragon is mid-spring, its direction is east-southeast, and its fixed element is wood.

KNOWLDEGE

If a person has knowledge the dragon does not have, after it learns it will give that person a token of gratitude such as a trinket from its own treasure. Gathering treasure is a favorite past-time of Western dragons. Dragons begin at a young age, when they get their own cavernous home, to start their own hoard. All dragons love beautiful things.

Western dragons are fickle, and only gather the most beautiful goldsmith work, such as crowns, the best cut jewels, and well minted coins. Some theories say that a dragon's hoard is a symbol of rank in dragon-society, but other theories say that the dragons just like the look and feel of the coins and other sundry items.

Some dragons inherit previous treasures from their parents, but most of the time dragons will gather items here and there from around the world, and bring them home. Some dragons are very well organized and will go so far as to separate gold, silver, jewels, etc. in separate piles. To find a dragon abode and steal some treasure is a quest for some thieves and rogues to be ranked in their guilds.

END OF THE LIFE-CYCLE

A dragon rarely lives past 1,500. When the time comes, the dragon realizes his life-cycle has come to an end. He will gather all Great Wyrms at the rim of a great volcano. All the Great Wyrms will howl a great song named "The Passing Song". This song will continue for a full half hour, and can be heard for 300 miles around. This announces the passing of an Elder. Once the song is heard by Adult Dragons, they will howl the same song for all to hear until all dragons on a world will understand they have lost a great member of their community. During the song, the dying Great Wyrm will circle the live volcano and then dive straight down into the lava to give himself back to the earth that spawned him.

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

Forest Princess

I have always loved fantasy, fairies, and dragon stories. We all had the beautiful prince and princesses in our childhood memories and in that moment in time we believed. I wanted to paint a princess that is a Forest Princess. Most of our stories for children elaborated on the scary forest, the dark forest but never truly explained the magic and charm of the forest.

So I introduce to you the Forest Princess whose beauty and charm decorates nature with peace, calm, serenity and protection. The woods carry many secrets and only if you enter will you find the beauty and safety in her hands. It’s sad to say there are so few delicate forests left that grace our lands today.

The Fairy Princess awaits at the gate only welcoming those who have faith and believe in the magic that she creates. For the woods are her beauty, her protection, her love of art and it is here that all mankind can rest, and meditate, and enjoy the wonders she has created.

So let’s take a moment and go back to our innocence, our childhood, where there was no pressure, no responsibility, no cares, just a time of wonder, magic, and miracles.

This is a RiverRock miniature that measures 5 x 7 and hand painted on a wooden plaque. This art piece is $100.00.

Pauline Libutti

Artist & Writer

http://www.RiverRockCritters.com/

The Scavenger

This was a fun project to paint. A friend of mind who takes beautiful photographs of various animals took a photograph of a vulture in Canada. Not a real popular critter but I decided to paint him since I thought he had alot of character and beautiful hues of color.

This has been hand painted on 5 x 7 wood wall plaque. This is truly a nice art piece for someone who loves birds of all species. This art piece is $100.00.

The vulture is a very powerful totem. Its cycle of power is year-round. If you have a Vulture as a spirit guide or totem, it can show you how to use energy powerfully and efficiently. It glides effortlessly on the winds, soaring to extraordinary heights while using little or no energy. The Vulture skillfully employs already existing air currents against the pull of gravity, symbolizing the distribution of energy so that gravity (or cares) does not weigh it down. In the process the vulture does not use its own energy, but the energies of the Earth instead--- or the Natural Order of Things --- being ONE of the mainstay sources in The Power of the Shaman. A very valuable lesson.

The Vulture is the symbol of death and rebirth, the mother symbol, and represents purification. For those with this totem, you will be noticed more for what you do than how you appear.

Vulture or Condor teaches us how to soar above our limitations.

This Totem is a permanent totem; once it enters your life it will be with you always, through your numerous lifetimes.

You may start to see auras and colors around people;
Vulture can help teach you how to accomplish this through patience and vision.
Vultures teach you how to soar without using much energy,
How to ride the thermal winds instead of flapping.
Go with the flow. Use your own energy powerfully and efficiently.

Vulture is associated with the sense of smell and aromatherapy is a good tool to use to connect with this Totem.

The Vulture promises us that no matter how difficult things are at the moment, rescue and change are imminent.

Soar above the drudgeries of every day life through spirit.
And Vulture/Condor is there to protect you in this journey.

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

King of the Wild

The lion holds a variety of energies and is never what it appears to be. Their is great myth and lore surrounding the lion. The Egyptians linked it to power and wealth. When Moses took the Israelites out of Egypt, each tribe was gathered under it own banner, a lion was depicted on one of them. Today we associate the lion with fearlessness. Its mighty roar, proud stature and real presence ear it title of King of the Cats.

Unlike other cats the lion lives in groups called prides. They seldom fight amongst each other. The exception to this rule is related to the female. The male lion is passionate and extremely jealous of the lionesses. If challenged will act aggressively. The lion teaches those with this totem how to respect one another’s view point and to live in harmony with one another. When a lion appears in your life its time to let go of deep seated anger towards a person, a situation or towards self. The lion is a large cat with a ferocious reputation but its true disposition is one of calm clarity.

Lions do not fight for the sake of fighting. They avoid confrontation and will leave the scene of danger whenever possible. They show those with this totem how to move out of unpleasant situations gracefully and efficiently.

Maybe more of us should pursue the ways of the lion in our daily lives to improve stability in this world.

I thought I would try something different by adding various color tones and hues on this painting. I wanted to show the Majestic Lyon with true colors that make a statement. Hope you like him. This lion has been hand painted on a wooden plaque that measures 5 x 7 1/2 and would be a nice gift for someone who loves the African Wild Life. This art piece is $25.00.

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

Lazy Day of Summer

Here is one happy pig. Sunk in a basket of flowers and just chillin. I thought this was a colorful picture for the outdoors and for anyone who loves animals and has a pig for a pet.


This was painted on a stepping stone and measures 11 1/2 x 11 1/2 and weighs approximately 5 1/4 pounds. This would make a beautiful gift for someone who loves animals or just wants to spruce up their garden.


The pig is a mammal of stout body, short legs and thick skin sparsely coated with short bristles. Contrary to popular belief the pig is a very clean animal.

Pigs have an uncanny intelligence and love the companionship of humans. There easy to train and make excellent pets.

Domestic pigs demand punctuality and dependability especially at feeding time. They have swift movement and intuitively know how to respond in any situation. They are good swimmers and have great strength.

The pig is a strong symbol of luck. If you need more luck in financial matters, the pig provides prosperity in abundance.

This little guy is $30.00 and is waiting for a new home. Enjoy!

Pauline Libutti

Artist & Writer

http://www.RiverRockCritters.com/