Death and The Sun

"Death and The Sun"

13 x 21 inches, oil on canvas
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This is the Rider-Waite tarot deck - probably the most well-known tarot deck, designed in 1909, and painted by a female illustrator, Pamela Colman Smith! I've given you two, in the title - what other cards do you recognize?

Emptiness - A New Tarot Series Painting

"Emptiness"

12 x 12 inches, oil on canvas

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The card in this one is the five of cups. Not the world's happiest card, particularly in the upright position:

"Forgiveness is vital with the Five of Cups, both of yourself and others. If someone has disappointed you, find it within your heart to forgive that person, releasing yourself from the disappointment. And if you are frustrated with yourself, know that you did the best you could under the circumstances and have now learned from your mistakes. Remember, too, that hindsight is much clearer than foresight and wisdom in the present moment comes from the mistakes of the past....

It’s time to shift your mindset and focus on what can go right from this point onwards. Be open to the brighter side of life and know many blessings are in disguise right now."    (-Biddy Tarot)

So, not without hope! I love the ambiguity of Tarot cards. Something in every interpretation for every situation. ;)

The World - A New Painting in My Tarot Series

  "The World"

12 x 24 inches, oil on canvas

$800 

Click to view/purchase

Well, I took a temporary hiatus from my Tarot card series - more like an eight-month "I think I'm done for good" type break - but, proving once again that you never know when it's the last time you'll do something - here's a new one.

The cards are: (In the box) The Tower, The Emperor, Page of Wands, Justice, and - front and center, The World. I chose to leave out the text/titles on the cards. I've included it in previous pieces, but felt like letting the images speak for themselves here. 

Thanks for looking! 

Hope

"Hope"

9 x 12 inches, oil on canvas

$350

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I thought I would counter yesterday's sorrow with some of the antidote. A quietly sunny spring painting. 

The Tarot card in this piece is also a hopeful one - the Ten of Cups, symbolizing emotional fulfillment. Not sure how it works when it's sideways - I'll leave that to the experts! :)

Sorrow

 "Sorrow (Three of Swords)" 

14 x 18 inches, oil on canvas

$600

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I'm loving learning about Tarot by researching each card as I use them in my paintings. This one, the Three of Swords, when it's in the upright position, is kind of a bummer - but not entirely without sunshine. Yes, the card represents a painful episode in life, but pain can be seen as an opportunity to grow stronger, to change the direction of your life. While the pain may cloud your vision for a certain period, it will eventually allow you to see clearly and to put the past behind you. 

If you let them, the Swords cards can rid you of your denial and teach you valuable lessons.

...And if you paint them, they can teach you valuable lessons about color mixing and edges!

As always with a piece this large, I began with a black and white study. This one has already gone to a collector who saw it on Instagram, but you can see a lot more of these oil studies in my Etsy shop.

Black and white studies really help me plan my paintings - specifically, the way my big value shapes will affect the composition. What shape and gesture do the darkest darks make on the canvas? How dark are my cast shadows, really? And where is my area of strongest contrast? I keep the study close to me while I'm painting the color version, to remind myself of my intentions.

Abundance (Nine of Cups)

 "Abundance (Nine of Cups)"

12 x 12 inches, oil on canvas

$400

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From my favorite Tarot website: "It is no wonder that many Tarot readers refer to this card as the Wish Card, as its appearance is often taken as a sign that, whatever your heart’s desire, it shall be granted in the coming days or weeks. Know that you have paved your own way on the path to success."

Here is my value study for this piece. 

It's all part of that way-paving, on the path to success, at least in this painting!

"Abundance (BW Study)"

9 x 9 inches, oil on Arches oil paper

$100 (unframed)

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Ace of Wands

 "Ace of Wands"

12 x 12 inches, oil on canvas

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I paired this Tarot card with my baby Hoya because the wand has leaves growing from it.  The card symbolizes inspiration, and enthusiasm for new creative ventures. Sounds good to me!

Though this painting sold right off the easel, via Instagram, the black and white oil study is available:

$100 (unframed). Frame available on request.

Click to view on Etsy

Golden Ring (Ace of Pentacles) and #30in30!

 "Golden Ring (Ace of Pentacles)"

7 x 11 inches, oil on Arches oil paper

$250

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Here's how this one came together. I can't believe how long these little oranges have lasted in my studio. It must be cold in there or something.....! Spring is on the way, though - I saw Camellias on my favorite camellia-stealing bush yesterday, so, good things ahead! 

And speaking of things ahead - I've decided to try my hand at a 30 in 30 day painting challenge. Gulp! Anyone else doing this one?