Lucky Peter, a rabbit in colorful oils by Sandra Cutrer

"Lucky Peter" is feeling great with his new  fun-colors! He feels pretty lucky to be painted on a canvas instead of being in a stew pot or his foot hanging on a key chain-ugh! This piqued my interest about WHY people carried a rabbit's foot for many years, and I think, still do! I found this article interesting and have edited it for a shortened version. Thanks for looking at my blog and my art work. Enjoy!


"In Europe, the tradition of carrying the foot of a rabbit probably stems from ancient totemic beliefs that humans descended from animals, and particular tribes had their origins in specific species. A tribe worshiped its animal ancestor, and carried parts of that animal as protective totems.
The Celts, by around 600 B.C., are known to have associated rabbits with good fortune- the whole rabbit, not just the foot. According to Celtic folklore, the fact that rabbits lived in burrows deep underground meant that they were in direct communication with the gods and spirits of the underworld.
From here, it isn’t clear whether this contributed to the very modern practice of the lucky rabbit’s foot that popped up around the turn of the twentieth century in America. These Celtic beliefs did evolve somewhat, carrying over into certain other European cultures. For instance, in the 16th century, there is a work by Reginald Scot that mentions that a good way to ease the pain of arthritis was to carry around a rabbit’s foot.

It’s possible this was then blended with aspects of African American folk magic.  Or, it may be that the specific lucky rabbit’s foot tradition simply came from traditions in the African folk magic that were unrelated to the European traditions associated with the rabbit.  We just don’t have the hard documented evidence to be able to discern the exact lineage.  But, in either case, it is generally thought that African folk  magic played a role in the modern tradition, and possibly is the most direct ancestor to the superstition.
In hoodoo (note: not voodoo), which was an American mash-up of African folk spirituality and certain European traditions,  a rabbit’s foot came to be a common item used for various things.  Probably from this, around the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, rabbit’s feet started being associated among the wider populace more exclusively with luck  Not just any foot would do, however." Oh, my!

Another reason to love technology and all of the fun stuff we can Google!

OOPS,"Lucky Peter" is SOLD! I would love to create a special rabbit painting just for you.Please contact me from this website, blog, or call the number listed below for more information!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer Fine Art
sandracutrer.com
979-236-2907

Cream and Sugar, two young calves in oils on canvas by Sandra Cutrer

"Cream and Sugar", two young calves in tall grass. Painted on an 8" x 10" x 1.5" wrapped canvas, no need to frame.
My husband and I love to travel, and have enjoyed many trips to the lovely Texas Hill Country, where we spotted these two frisky little ones, having a fun time in the tall grasses. No need to worry, their Mom was nearby keeping an eye out in case their frolicking went a little too far from her idea of parental boundaries.

SOLD! This piece sold the first day I posted it on Facebook. If you would like to have one painted for you similar to this one, please contact me at: 979-236-2907.or through this blog or my website. I offer prices and/or layaway plans for nearly all budgets!

 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.Genesis 1:24

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art
sandracutrer.com
 

Farah, a cat portrait by Fine Artist, Sandra Cutrer

"Farah" is a sweet and loving tabby who lives in Louisiana. I was privileged to be able to meet her before starting her portrait in oils on a 6" x 6" x 1.5" wrapped canvas- no need to frame- ready to hang!

I love painting animals, and would be happy to paint your beloved pet for you, whether they are living happily at home, or have crossed the rainbow bridge, an original oil painting is a forever gift to enjoy of your sweet pet, or a great gift for your loved one or a best friend! My prices are very reasonable. Please contact me form this web site, or call me with comments or questions at: 979-236-2907, and I will return your call ASAP!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer, Fine Art
sandracutrer.com

Pathway to Peace, landscape oil painting by Sandra Cutrer

"Pathway to Peace", an original oil painting by Sandra Cutrer, on an 11" x 14" stretched canvas, ready for your favorite frame and spot. This one easily creates calmness and a sense of serenity, I think. I love how the path winds up the mountain closely beside the trees, and seems to disappear. "What great site is beyond this simple path?" seems to be what it is saying. Like life itself, what seems to be the best we can see, can easily change once we climb our mountain and get to the other side!

Please view my actual blog photos, or my website prices and more information. I enjoy taking commissions and offer reasonable prices, and a layaway plan for nearly every budget!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer, Fine Art
sandracutrer.com
979-236-2907

Biltmore Chickens, an original oil painting by Sandra Cutrer

"Biltmore Chickens", an original oil painting by Sandra Cutrer


I took my reference photos at the amazing and surreal Biltmore Estate, located in Asheville, North Carolina. My husband and I have taken many trips to visit and dine at this wonderful estate, which now has a farm area located in the back for kids of all ages. This sweet hen was just curious about what the rooster had found to eat (okay, maybe she wanted him to share with her), but he was having none-of-it, the old sassy thing!

This one is painted on a 16" x 20" stretched canvas, ready to frame and hang in your favorite spot!

Thank you for reading my blog and looking at my work. I love taking commissions, making a painting especially for you at reasonable prices- any size. I also offer a layaway plan for any budget!


And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that [is] in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.  1 Kings 4:33

 Oh, no! You missed out on this one, as it is SOLD! If you'd like one similar to this one, please contact me from this blog or my website! I'd love to paint one specifically for you!

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art
sandracutrer.com

Sable Antelope, original in oils- finished! By Sandra Cutrer

I am thrilled to have finished "Sable Antelope". Yes, I'm aware that I haven't actually given him a "title". There were so many options, I just could not make up my mind! Maybe you can name him for me, if you are looking at my work. I would love some suggestions! I hope you will enjoy looking at him, and consider giving him a new home and a title of your own! Please look at my blog photos, below my post, for prices on my work.

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
Fine Art
sandracutrer.com
979-236-2907

Rising From Ashes, a buffalo in oils, original by Sandra Cutrer

"Rising From Ashes", a 12" x 12" x 1.5" wrapped canvas (all sides painted a dark hue, so no need to frame).

Oops!This piece SOLD! You missed being able to purchase "Rising From the Ashes" , but I would love to paint one especially for you. Please contact me through this blog, or on my website, or call me at 979-236-2907, and we can work together on making a special original oil painting just for you!

I painted this big fella from some photographs I took a few years back. My husband and I had noticed a field of buffalo (or bison) on our way to Galveston,Texas on numerous occasions. I decided to take my camera along and stop for photographs on one such trip. We had to pull into the private drive (all true photographers and artist take chances) in order to get photos that day, as they had been moved to a more contained area. Almost immediately one of the owners came flying down the long gravel drive-way in her huge pick-up truck to see what we were up to. I apologized for our invasion, and explained that I wanted to take a few photos of her buffalo, as I am an artist and want to paint them. She was kind and allowed me to take a few photos, but not stay too long as they were getting nervous about strangers being that near to their young calves. This one was a male who was giving me a look of curiousness and (I really thought) a warning of,  "Don't even think about coming closer, or I will hop over that fence like a bird!". We didn't stay long, and on our last ride that way we were sad to see that all of the beautiful buffaloes were gone.

When I see a buffalo, I never cease to think of how the American Indians never killed them for pleasure, but for life. They did not waste anything from their kill, and honored the powerful beast given to them by our Creator.  Looking into their deep eyes, I see power, fear, life, death, and an honor to know their ancestors kept many of my ancestors here on earth fed so I could be a part of its greatness.

May your new year be filled with life, love, and the power to do what is right and good for all people, and our wonderful planet. It is our future generation's only home!

You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; fine oils have been poured on me. 

Psalm 92:10

Blessings,
Sandra Cutrer
sandracutrer.com