[Art] Capybara as Totem

[moonvoice]

$80 USD
18.5 x 20.5cm (or 7.4 x 8 in)
illo's board, fineliner, aquarelle, pencil, metallic and iridescent paint







Capybara
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

The capybara is famous for being the world’s largest rodent. They are adapted for survival in wetlands and upon grass-plains, have webbed feet, can survive under water for five minutes, and a sophisticated digestive system designed to yield the most nutrients possible from a minimal number of grass species. Capybara are even able to sleep underwater, provided they are still able to get their nostrils (set high upon the head) above the waterline. Capybara are social, and found in groups that are dominated by a male, which has a scent gland for marking out territory on the bridge of its nose. Adult capybara are prone to sunburn, and will roll in the mud to prevent this.

As a totem animal

Trust in the nourishing and protective aspects of water and water magic, wetland wisdom and power, being able to hide despite high exposure to others, keeping parts of the self reserved, mastering your environment, clashes with snake energy, making your environment work for you, offering up gentleness instead of fear.

Comments

[liondaughter.livejournal.com]

That is awesome!!! They're big guinea pigs. :)

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

They are! And really adorable. :)

[ariestess]

I love capybara! And this is gorgeous! I really like the colors. And that pink really jumps out...

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

You mean in the spirals? It's actually copper, but it can go pinkish when the flash hits it. Which I kind of like, balances out all the green!

[ariestess]

Yeah, I was looking at the shot with the flash, so saw the pink tones.

[silverjackal.livejournal.com]

You've really captured the "wetland" aspect beautifully in the background, and also the energy spirals coming from the capybara. I also love the stippling on his nose.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

I was hoping to catch the wetland/marshland aspect in the composition, it's such a huge part of what they 'feel' like to me.

Also I just love wetlands in general.

[anrui-ichido.livejournal.com]

Oh man, there is something about this one! Maybe the way capybara is just... peeking out over that ridge, or the lovely mix of greens, blues, and yellows, or the shape of the swirls... or how it all works so awesomely together! I just love it. :)

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

Heh, thank you. :)

[gemfyre.livejournal.com]

I like how it's almost as if the Capybara is swimming though some Amazonian marshland.

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

I like how it's almost as if the Capybara is swimming though some Amazonian marshland.

This is what I was thinking of too as I was drawing it.

[shadows-wolf06.livejournal.com]

Capybara!

You have no idea how much this amuses me for reasons I can't quite explain.

...Mostly because the name of the little one makes me giggle like a little schoolgirl every time.

Very well done :)

[moonvoice.livejournal.com]

I'm glad it amuses you! :)