Goddess of Water

As she arises out of the blue sea

I hear a voice of beauty call to me

The water soars through space and time

Overflowing with spirit, soul and mind

She smiles gentle with a look of power and might

The water rages in colors of blue and white

Dolphins dance around her through the night

A miraculous beauty of nature in flight

She talks of miracles and dreams that will come true

She speaks of friendships old and new

Gifts you have are there to share

So give from your heart

The whole world will know you care

Just one gift that you will give

Your life will change your soul will live

Enjoy the world, the land, the sea,

And you will receive a gift from me

Understanding, Wisdom, and Peace

From me to you from the sea

Wonderful changes shall you foresee

Author: Pauline Libutti

Size: 8 x 10 canvas (not framed)
This item sells for $175.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters

The Wizard and the Fairies

The wizard looks like a kind old man

But as we watched and stared

We soon realized his wand was not to be shared

He waved it two and fro and right before our eyes

A Magic cloud of smoke appeared he wore as a disguise

Soon things were disappearing he seemed to be so wise

I felt my body twitter as we flew around the skies

He laughed and smiled with one eyebrow raised

We played and flew around him not even fazed

As long as we kept him smiling we were truly unafraid

But we watched his wand oh so carefully

So we would not be touched and grazed

For all it would take is one big “Poof”

And fairy dust could easily be made

Author Pauline Libutti

Size: 8 x 10 canvas (not framed)
This item sells for $300.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters

Mermaid Dreams

I want to hold tomorrow,

To know that it will be,

That everything I've dreamed of,

Is waiting there for me.

I want to know you love me,

And by me you will stand,

Pulling me closer,

Holding tight my hand.

I want to know you hear this,

To know that, I love you,

It's not just a thing I say,

But in everything I do.

I want to know you feel me,

Because I feel you,

Loves pulling on my heartstrings,

It's music’s pure and true.

I love you in the morning,

I love you still at noon.

I love you in the evening,

And under the bright moon.

Even in the twilight,

When the sun slips out of sight,

My love for you has starry eyes,

That guides my love through night.

And when the moonbeams kiss you,

Dancing on your face,

Remember that tomorrows dreams,

Are not an endless chase.

Author unknown

Size: 8 x 10 canvas (not framed)
This item sells for $300.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters

Christmas Elf

I know an elf that spreads goodwillDown every road she roamsShe has many tasks to fulfillBefore Santa greets homesWith toys to build and dolls to dressYou’d think this elf would mournBut, aiding in Santa’s successIs why this elf was born.

You see, she’s not a normal elfThe kind with funny shoesShe took the time to prove herselfShe, slowly, paid her duesNow, she is found among the ranksOf Santa’s very bestAn elf that owes a debt of thanksTo those who helped her quest.

She never thought she’d be around The rare and chosen fewWho make the bells and whistles soundFor a child’s dream come trueBut, she works hard, both day and nightIn shifts throughout the yearHer purpose is to spread delightThrough love and Christmas cheer.

I know a very humble elfWhose heart is made of goldShe never thinks of just herselfAnd gives to young and oldShe does not ever strive to beAn elf of high accordFilling a child’s heart with gleeIs her greatest reward.

author Jill Eisnaugle’s

Size: 8 x 10 canvas (not framed)
This item sells for $300.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters

Magic Eyes

When you were small faith was an easy task

Adventures await just beyond the looking glass

I wish upon you 'Magic eyes' that saw the world filled with rainbow skies

Every touch was pure and oh so new

The world's cruel truth unknown to you

Unquestioned trust, you would place your hand in mine

And blindly follow me through the ends of time

With 'Magic eyes' you would look upon my face

Innocence alive within that perfect place

Seasons past and time is now old

Flowers wilted and the air has turned cold

You look at me but can no longer see

The hero you once saw in me

Heavy heart and broken smiles

River of tears that flows for miles

I watch you as you silently slip away

And try and hold onto you another day

Alas, winter's bitter winds float upon a tongue of lies

Stealing all that is innocent from within your 'Magic Eyes'.



author Donna MontoyaRauh

Size: 8 x 10 canvas (not framed)
This item sells for $475.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters

Imagination

Let thoughts and images cascade to your mind,

Creativity of wonders now coil and bind.

Take forth your eyes, inspire the senses,

Imagine a scene, establish no fences.

We take the true path into a starlit enigma,

Hear the magic, smell the mist, feel the stigma.

Brew does the storm not of natural cause,

For this cyclone is of the brain no longer with flaws.

Connected are ideas into mind's maze,

Thus starts the journey's front lining phase.

On we move to summon pure thoughts,

Where dreaming begins and we open the lots.

This great gift we have to create worlds unspoken,

Do the undone, tis our mind's free token.

Escape from reality, dive into vacation,

Arrive in a new world known as IMAGINATION.


Author unknown

Forgotten Dreams

How the flights of fantasy

can bewilder some.

How it can capture loneliness make it flee and run,

And turn the tables inside out,

The cry into a shout,

Can make the unexpected fun,

The expected cease to come.

Yes! Strange that path of fantasy

makes happier the mind,

Makes brighter, lighter, the joy within

which rings and sings and climbs.

Flights can come and flights can go

and flights can come between

and you'll find that I'll be riding there

where the forest meets the green.

Yes, I'll ride the wings of fantasy,

of wonder, love and light,

And I'll ride them here,

and I'll ride them there,

through the winding paths of night.

And I'll sing to you of that rainbow high

Of its lovely, lofty light,

Of those wonderful, enchanted Isles

That I dream about through the night

By Linda A. Copp

Size: 8 x 10 canvas board.
This item sells for $400.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters

Lover of Thieves

For favor and face, and beauty most rare,
Queen Hellen she did excel: For Marian then
Was praised of all men, That did in the
Country dwell.

Twas neither Rosamond nor Jane Shore,
Whose beauty was clear and bright,
That could surpass this country lass,
Beloved of lord and knight.

The earl of Huntington, nobly born,
That came of noble blood,
To Marian went, with a good intent,
By the name of Robin Hood.

With kisses sweet their red lips did meet,
For she and the earl did agree:
In every place, they kindly embrace,
With love and sweet unity.

But fortune bearing these lovers a spite,
That soon they were forced to part:
To the merry green wood then went Robin Hood,
With a sad and sorrowful heart.

Perplexed and vexed, and troubled in mind,
She dressed herself like a page,
And ranged the wood, to find Robin Hood,
The bravest of men in that age.

With quiver and bow, sword, buckler, and all,
Thus armed was Marian most bold,
Still wandering about, to find Robin out,
Whose person was better then gold.

They drew out their swords, and to cutting they went,
At least an hour or more,
That the blood ran apace from bold Robins face,
And Marian was wounded sore.

O hold thy hand, hold thy hand, said Robin Hood,
And thou shalt be one of my string,
To range in the wood, with bold Robin Hood,
And hear the sweet nightingale sing.

When Marian did hear the voice of her love,
Herself she did quickly discover,
And with kisses sweet she did him greet,
Like to a most loyal lover.

Size: 8 x 10 canvas (not framed)
This item sells for $250.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters

Dragon Goddess

Much unlike a mortal

Who hurts the ones they love

A dragon's love is forever

And as pure as a peaceful dove

So she fights for the rights of dragons

She fights for their freedom to fly

She would give up her last breath of living

So these beauties may take to the sky

No wonder they love and adore her

They protect and nourish and feed

For she is their Dragon Goddess

And to love and protect is her life's deed


author Caroline Cichocki

Size: 8 x 10 canvas (not framed)
This item sells for $250.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters

Goddess of Wisdom

Drink a Cup from Cerridwins Caldron
The Holy Grail of Immortality

A Cup to the Wise, the Poet, the Bard
So the words be not Forgotten

Hail to thee Great One
Who stirs the Caldron of Death and Rebirth

Brother Wolf trots at thy Heel
To sing thee his Mournful Song

The Seasons Change with thy Hand
The Corn ripens with thy Smile

Both Ends of Fate are thy Domain
Both Life and Death feel thy Hand

The Garden Path knows thy Tread
Mother , in Natures Green Dress

The Alchemist Deep in his Lair
Knows too your Loving Kiss

Great Mistress of the Hearth of Life
We Hail to Thee this Night

May We Drink ever Deep
Of Thy bounty of Wondrous Light

Size: 8 x 10 canvas (not framed)
This item sells for $200.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters

Wizard of the Night

Far up in the treachery of the thundering black sky,
there stands a tower above the mountains oh so high.

The tower of a powered man with magic of great might,
the spells he casts in shining blasts in the mystics of the night.

The wizard stands in his chanting room with potions all around,
he pours them in a giant cauldron brewing magic’s of light and sound.

His staff he swings while conjuring the start of the perfect spell, and he works alone as the moonlight shone on the ringing midnight bell.

He searches through his book of magic,
avoiding any spells of tragic.

His fingers raise with a glowing blaze and energy flickers out,
the glowing gas forms a blue lit mass that is an orb without a doubt.

It spin and spun with shining beams,
he next adds power in flashing gleams.

His tower gives off an eerie glow,
across the night sky the magic shall flow.

Now he stands in his tower so strong,
the spell was complete and to him it shall belong.

Now for those who shall wish it, may be immortal,
as the great spell will be held in the eternal porthole.

The Enchanted One

This is from the RiverRock Critters Fantasy Collection. This has been hand painted on a 8 x 10 wood plaque. It sells for $50.00.

The unicorn is a mythical creature. Strong, wild, and fierce, it was impossible to tame by man. Plinie, the Roman naturalist records it as "a very ferocious beast, similar in the rest of its body to a horse, with the head of a deer, the feet of an elephant, the tail of a boar, a deep, bellowing voice, and a single black horn, two cubits in length, standing out in the middle of its forehead."

Powers

It was traditionally believed that a virgin who was naked sitting beneath a tree could only catch the delicate unicorn. The unicorn, who craves purity, would be irresistibly drawn to the girl and lie down with his head in her lap. While it slept, the hunter could capture it. If, however, the girl was merely pretending to be a virgin, the unicorn would tear her apart.

Throughout the stories of the unicorn, its horn, the alicorn, is said to have great medicinal powers. In Ctesias’ writings, the dust filed from the horn was supposed to protect against deadly diseases if mixed into a potion. Or, if you drank from the horn, you would be protected against any poison.

Symbol

Its white coloring made it a natural symbol for purity, chastity and virginity. The horn of the unicorn was the weapon of the faithful and of Christ.

The mythological unicorn was a symbol of chivalry with qualities befitting this status, proud and untamable.

Wherever else they may have come from,
Unicorns live inside the true believer's heart.
Which means that as we can dream,
there will be unicorns.

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. The price on this item is $75.00.

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

A Touch of Magic

Didn't every little girl sit at the edge of the ocean (or the bathtub) and pretend that she was a beautiful mermaid, a sea nymph so lovely and rare? The freedom of being able to traverse the undersea world just holds so much fascination. It is a place of no limits, no fears and complete freedom to be playful in the sea, cradled in those watery arms and JUST BE.


The grown up mermaid is the woman who has big dreams, who believes in magic and fairy tales and mystical creatures. She likes to put a touch of magic and beauty in everything that she does. She is not afraid to experience her full range of emotions because she comes from the water, the place of emotions. This is her domain. She creates from a place of pure feeling.


The mermaid signifies deep honor in being a woman and she has unrestrained delight in being a creature of exquisite beauty. Merely being in the presence of a mermaid will uplift and inspire you to create magic in your life.


She will inspire you to let your beauty be fully expressed in the physical and to embrace your own loveliness. She will help you banish fears surrounding this, such as fears of not being beautiful enough, being too beautiful, or misusing your beauty. Mermaids will help you settle into your own physical beauty as you follow her lead and express yourself with joy from the deepest part of your soul.

Mermaid is something of a muse, as well as a guide. She loves to create beautiful objects and leave them for you to find...mostly in your dreams is where she hides them. She is that part of you that loves to play and be joyful. As with most sea creatures she is the embodiment of playfulness and fun. And she will help you to access this part of your soul, the part of you that wants to be totally free and fluid enough to express yourself from that deep place within.

MerMaid Poem

I create my own persona with love

I am graceful and lovely

I am expressive and free

I flow my emotions and feel their stirrings in my heart

I am playful

I am vibrantly alive and engaged in my life

I allow myself to be me

I feel excited about my abilities to create

Today is my chance to create something beautiful

I honor my hands and the way they serve me

I honor my sexuality and the divine energy that it flows through my body and soul

My joy resurfaces naturally

I share my joy with all

This RiverRock Critters Art piece has been hand painted on a 5 x 7 wood plaque and is $75.00

Pauline Libutti, RiverRock Critters.com

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, RiverRock Critters.com

Why Do People Read Fantasy?

Contemporary Culture

The typical answer is that people are searching for 'escape.' Fantasy represents a retreat from the harsh world of competition and commerce. Another answer is that fantasy provides, like much fiction, a specific kind of wish-fulfillment. Fantasy allows us, for a time, to be the all-conquering warrior or the all-wise sorcerer. The problem is that neither of these answers in any way distinguishes fantasy from other genres of literature. Fantasy offers a very specific kind of escape and wish-fulfillment, one connected to its profound role in the great machine which we call contemporary culture.

Celebration

Fantasy is the celebration of what we no longer are: individuals certain of our meaningfulness in a meaningful world. The wish-fulfillment that distinguishes fantasy from other genres is not to be the all-conquering hero, but to live in a meaningful world. The fact that such worlds are enchanted worlds, worlds steeped in magic, simply demonstrates the severity of our contemporary crisis. 'Magic' is a degraded category in our society; if you believe in magic in this world, you are an irrational flake. And yet magic is all we have in our attempt to recover some vicarious sense of meaningfulness. If fantasy primarily looks back, primarily celebrates those values rendered irrelevant by post-industrial society. One may have faith otherwise, but by definition such faith is not rational. Faith, remember, is belief without reasons.

Primary Expression

Reading fantasy represents the attempt to give meaning to one's life by forgetting, for a time, the world we live in. In the escape offered by fantasy we glimpse the profound dimensions of our modern dilemma. Fantasy is the primary expression of a terrible socio-historical truth: the fundamental implication of our scientific culture is that life is meaningless.

Competitor

If so many religious groups are up in arms about Harry Potter, it is because they see in it a competitor. Fantasy novels can be construed as necessary supplements to the Holy Bible. In a culture antagonistic to meaning, the assertion that life is meaningful is not enough. We crave examples.

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