Curiosity -3 D Bunny & Mouse Wall Art - Curiosity

This delightful pair stumbled across each other in innocence and inquisitiveness. I painted this wall hanging to bring to life the most unlikely pair showing their curiosity and playfulness.

This wall hanging measures 8 ½ x 10 ½ and weighs 15 ounces. It is painted with a fall motif with the mouse painted on river rock and attached to the wood background. As the mouse scurries through the leaves he meets a curious friend. I hope I have artfully brought this scene to life and you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed painting it.

This would make a wonderful gift for animal lovers and unique collectible for an enthusiast of animal paintings.

Below is a Totem meaning for each critter.

Rabbit

The Rabbit is known for its ability to procreate, its fleetness, and its movement is by leaps. People with this totem may find that their endeavors go in leaps and bounds also.

If a Rabbit totem has appeared in your life, it may indicate a need for more planning or to check those plans already set in motion. Do not box yourself in a corner.

Mouse

If a Mouse totem has recently entered your life, ask yourself if you have neglected the trivial but necessary things in life. Have you become too focused on one or two activities and neglecting opportunities around you? Or are you trying to do too many things at the same time?

The Mouse totem can show you how to focus and how to attain the big things by working on the little things.

3D Bunny & Mouse Wall Art
Size: 8 1/2 x 11 1/2
The item sells for $45.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock

Which is Your Type of Art Form

Art in Latin means "skill" or "craft" and it is generally accepted to be "the product or process of the effective application of a body of knowledge, most often using a set of skills, which from concept to creation adheres to the "creative impulse" of the maker." As centuries of art study reveal, art has taken many forms and has touched upon many disciplines. From the creation of a painting on canvas, wood, or rock or the design of a video game, art is now a much more generic term used to describe many of today’s human creations.

Whether or not you consider yourself to be an artist or have an artistic nature as people often claim, it is interesting to discover that your skills and abilities can help you develop products or processes that could be characterized as a type of art form. Have you ever taken a picture, created a film, painted an image on canvas or rock, performed in front of an audience -your mirror does not count- or even found a new way to use that old pair of jeans you have kept inside your closet? If the answer to these or similar questions is yes, then you are "officially" informed that you can consider yourself as a creator or better even an artist!

Due to the technological innovations used today, new art forms have been developed and thus new ways for artistic expression. The birthday card you decided to create from scratch for your friend, the picture frame you decided to "transform" so as to make it a bit more contemporary, the song you recorded while playing in your garage with the band, are all different types of art forms and should make you proud of yourself and your abilities. Moving from the "classic" forms of art, like painting, drawing, sculpture, music, literature, printmaking, and architecture, to the more "modern" types of art forms, like film, photography, digital art, installation art, performance art, land art, fashion, computer art, comics, and video games, the human ingenuity and creativity found new ways of expression. People are today thrilled to discover the gratification of being able to complete the art project of their choice while using a variety of available tools.

Since within each art form a wide range of genres exist, like for example painting includes still life, portrait, or landscape, a work of art can be anything, from a representational painting to the abstract wallpaper of your PC screen. Whether the art form you like belongs to the category of fine arts or applied arts, the big issue here is that you are a creator, a designer, a painter, a sculptor, a craftsman, an artisan in general. If your art will make you rich one day is a matter of talent and luck, but during your project's creation and upon its completion, you will experience a life changing realization; you will feel capable of accomplishing almost anything. After that entire amazing thing is your own creation!

Author: k.buchanan

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

How to Enjoy Nature through Art

I have always appreciated nature, my surroundings, and all the animals that I share this world with. Unfortunately, I didn’t stop and take time to just enjoy the beauty that surrounds me in my everyday life. Work, family, responsibilities, kept me on the move and somehow you just get wrapped up in this ongoing process for survival. I’m sure you can relate.

We do need to step back every now and then and just give ourselves me time. Time to relax, to enjoy what we have accomplished, and plan for future events that will give us satisfaction and self worth. Enjoy the beauty of Nature through books, your surroundings or a lovely painting.

I started painting because I loved to look at other artist paintings and admire their creativity and images that they so skillfully put down on canvass. I felt I was missing something by not taking the time to see if I to could bring out this magic in myself. Art is one of mankind’s healthiest inclinations, and one of our greatest attributes. Unfortunately, it is tucked away in our inner being and at times we hold it prisoner instead of letting the beauty around us unfold and come alive. I think there is an artist in everyone but we just don’t take the time to show our talents. Yes, having financial well being is a necessity but to really feel accomplished you need to find a satisfying outlet to bring out the real you. Don’t wait until you no longer have to worry about the mundane day to day projects. Take time now to nourish your inner self so when all the family is gone, work is no longer your main objective you will be ready to expand on all the me things you set aside.

I have been painting for less than a year and at one time stick people were a challenge. I found if I took the time to learn the art of painting I could find my niche. My creativity just seemed to flow. I have a long way to go since I’m self taught but everyday is a new learning experience. I live in Arizona and needless to say since it is all desert I am totally surrounded by mountains and rocks. A far cry from the California life I once had.

Mother Nature was so kind to give me the opportunity to see the canvasses she laid before me, and voila, I started painting on rock forms. River rock is the canvass I use to express my love for animals and nature. Everything can be painted in one form or another but I chose rocks since it is truly in abundance here. The picture of the Cougar Cub is a true reflection of how I feel about art and nature. I feel I have captured his innocence and beauty in the world that surrounds him. He is a gift of balance power, intention, strength and grace.

No matter what path you choose take time to relax, meditate, and engulf the beauty around you. It could be a book, it could be a vacation, or just that beautiful painting you just purchased. After all, there is truly an artist in everyone if we just take the time to smell the roses.

Pauline Libutti

Artist & Writer

http://www.RiverRockCritters.com/

African Art & Paintings

African Art: Colorful Native Artwork

One of the biggest contradictions in the art world is with African art. This is because African art is among the most colorful of all native artwork in the world and yet this style of art comes from the 'dark continent' of Africa.

African paintings can depict life in Africa with village scenes involving people doing everyday activities such as cooking, caring for their children and playing. Of course, there are paintings of the majestic wildlife found in Africa including lions, elephants, giraffes, tigers, and rhinos. Some African art are quite realistic while some are very abstract. However, both are very inspiring showing just how proud African artists are of their homeland.

Collecting African Tribal Masks
Some of the most highly sought after pieces among collectors of African artwork are the African tribal masks. There are masks used for ceremonies, rituals, battle and for telling stories. African tribal masks can signify such diverse characteristics such as courage, strength, protection, peace, fertility, honor and wisdom. There are even tribal masks of African animals such as elephants, zebras, cougars and antelopes.

Artisans in Africa create a wide variety of carvings, sculptures and statues from different mediums. Pieces can be made from wood, clay and different types of metal. Subjects of African carvings include both people and animals. Actual African carvings and sculptures can be stand alone pieces or as wall carvings.

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2008 CraftyCritters Newsletter

Talavera Mexican Art

Talavera: Traditional Mexican Pottery

Talavera is a Majolica tin-enameled earthenware made in Puebla. This world-renowned hand-painted pottery comes in various forms, including both functional and decorative items such as plates, serving dishes, vases and tiles.

The native people of Mexico had a long tradition of making pottery. With the arrival of the Spaniards the contact between these two traditions resulted in exquisite new styles, the Spaniards introducing the wheel and tin-based glaze and the native Mexicans providing skilled labor and ingenuity. It is believed that the particular techniques for making this type of Majolica pottery were introduced in Puebla by immigrants from Talavera de la Reina, Spain.

In 1653 a potter’s guild was formed and ordinances were laid down regulating the production of Talavera. Between 1650 and 1750 the production of Talavera was at its height. Originally, Talavera was white and blue. In the 18th Century new colors were introduced and green, orange and yellow began to be used.


How Talavera Mexican Art is Made:
The basic process for making Talavera has remained the same since the 16th Century, though there have been changes in the shapes of pottery made and the style of decoration. Talavera pottery is made with two kinds of clay, a dark clay and a light, slightly rose-colored clay. Both of these clays come from the state of Puebla.


Talavera Mexican Art Authenticity:
Authentic talavera can be distinguished from imitations by the raised design and high gloss of the surface finish. There are fewer than 20 workshops producing authentic Talavera. In order to be certified these workshops have to pass an inspection and verification process every six months.

This artistic painting from Mexico inspired me to paint the Talavera style on to RiverRock reflecting their vibrant colors and patterns. Please visit my website, RiverRock Critters to see some of the Talavera Rock Art Paintings I created.

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2007 CraftyCritters Newsletter

Myths About Being an Artist

Believe You Have Talent

Fact: Some people do have more of an inherent talent, or an aptitude, for art than others. But worrying about how much talent you do or don’t have is just a waste of energy. Having an abundance of creativity is no guarantee you’ll be a good artist.

The advantage of believing you have talent when you start out is that initially artistic things come easily to you, rather than your having to strive to achieve them. But relying on talent will only get you so far. Sooner or later you’ll reach a spot where your talent isn’t enough. What then?

Develop Your Artistic Skills
If you’ve worked at developing artistic skills, from how brushes work to how colors interact, and are used to actively pursuing ideas rather than expecting creative thoughts to come to you, you’re not at the whim of your so-called talent.

Let’s skip the ideas about everyone having some creative aspect to them and how everyone has some special talent. If you truly believe you didn’t have any artistic ability, you wouldn’t have any desire to paint. It’s that desire, combined with persistence and the systematic learning of painting techniques, not talent, which make an artist.

“What distinguishes a great artist from a weak one is first their sensibility and tenderness; second, their imagination, and third, their industry.” – John Ruskin

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com
Copyright 2007 CraftyCritters Newsletter

Helping Mother Nature ...

Creative Expression

Creative expression can transform negative energies into a positive situation. Rock Art seems to fill that frustration for anyone who is creative, or a want to be, and has the desire to fulfill a long awaited talent. It’s as though Mother Nature handed you a piece of her art, that has profuse shapes, sizes, and natural color and said, here, I want you to finish it with your senses of imagination and creativity. Hence, the Rockers were born.

I feel art is one of mankind’s healthiest inclinations, and one of our greatest attributes. Unfortunately, it is tucked away in our inner being and at times we hold it prisoner instead of letting the beauty around us unfold and come alive.

Spiritual Development

Creative expression is a spiritual development, and can be a way of becoming more aware, and also deal with high sensitivity. We all possess the tools necessary to expand our creative horizons. Learning to use and apply them in everything we do is what counts.

Even though we feel we cannot achieve our dreams the love of the creative process is available to all of us if we just take the time to listen and learn. You need to hone in on your skill, whether it be Rock Painting, Writing, Music, and pursue it with almost obsessive diligence, foregoing other activities for this one true love. You will find yourself working hard to cultivate your natural talents.

Expanding Your Talents

Environment, nurture, exposure to a particular skill in your early years, luck and timing all play important roles into expanding your talents. Rock Art is a wonderful way to express your thoughts and feelings and a more comfortable way if you are one that does not express your feelings easily. Just about anything can be painted on a rock form. After all this art form was started almost 40,000 years ago in caves. Some theories hold that they may have been a way of transmitting information, while other theories ascribe them a religious or ceremonial purpose.

I believe now when you are walking in the desert, at the beach, or enjoying the serene sounds of the river you will look at Rocks differently. A shape, a size, a look that speaks to you. You might even here a slight whisper from “Mother Nature” telling you to create, to beautify, because she just wasn’t quite finished with this one.