Being a professional Tarot reader and an artist, I have long wanted to create a Tarot deck of my own and friends have long waited for me to make one, but I never got around to allowing it to happen because I usually get caught up illustrating something else.  Since my move up north, I've been separated from my old friends in Milwaukee and the lack of a social life leaves me with a lot more time to myself.  Instead of just sitting at home eating popcorn while watching movies, I decided that I could start AND finish a fully painted, full color Tarot deck by next January.  So far I have 24 cards completed and only 15 cards have been scanned.  I'm going to try to add thumbnails of the cards below...  So if you see a list of images after this paragraph, click on the images and you should be able to preview the cards (via Photobucket.com):

Queen of Pentacles

My Pentacles Queen has a garland of red roses about her neck and is crowned by a pentacle.  Her skin is slightly grey-green and her hair is dark brown.  I based this queen on myself, yet it is myself idealized; my way of connecting to the earthy qualities of the Pentacles Queen.  She is ambitious but selfless, deeply concerned with family, friends, and community.

Page of Swords

This Page is not human, "it" is more cloud than person.  The eyes look this way and that and we only percieve this creature while it is in motion.  The Page of Swords is alert and viligent; always on the lookout.  Pages are messengers and this one usually brings unexpected news and warnings.  When representing a person, this page is a student of words and weapons.

Three of Swords

Usually an ugly card, the Three of Swords represents separations and heartbreak.  When I think of this card, I see a heart being stabbed or torn apart by swords.  It is meant to appear painful.

Page of Pentacles

My Pentacles page is a boy daydreaming about the future.  There is a pentacle seemingly falling out of the sky just about to crown his head.  He brings news about investments and is a worthy apprentice.

Knight of Cups

Instead of showing the traditional "knight in shining armor," this Knight of Cups can only be seen through his reflection which he holds up to us in a huge glass cup.  This knight is romantic and emotional, yet he has trouble remaining true to promises made in moments of passion. 

Three of Cups

This card represents celebrations and weddings.  I focused on the cups being raised up in a toast.  The cups, once empty, are now being filled with cheer and excitement.

The Lovers

Unlike the traditional scene of a naked man and woman being tested (or blessed) by a cherub, I chose to make my Lovers card an ambiguous one.  The couple pictured here can be a man and a woman, or two women, or two men making out under bed covers.  Who you see here is up to you, and what's really going on between those covers is also up to your perception.  Are they really making love, or are they struggling with each other?  The Lovers card usually represents not just parternship and harmony, but a decision that has to be made based on who or what you want more.

The Sun

This card, and the one that follows it, sort of go together.  I wanted to show both the Sun and Moon with two faces.  If you draw the card reversed, you will see a different face looking back at you.  The Sun card deals with success and inspiration.  In my representation, the Sun is setting over Lake Michigan on Beaver Island.  There is a swan on the lake representing beauty, love, and the Arts.

The Moon

Since both the Sun and Moon are percieved as either "male" or "female" in various cultures on Earth, the faces shown here can be either of a man or a woman.  Cooler than the Sun, the Moon here deals with dreams, illusions, and the Unseen.  In the moonlight reflected off of Lake Michigan, a dog and coyote howl; these little shadowy figures represent animal instinct and mischief. 

Ace of Wands

Wands can be weapons or tools.  This Ace of Wands is topped off by a pink rose.  This card deals with new beginnings in the realm of career and creativity; the spark or idea that sets things into motion.  Traditionally it also represents Spring.

Six of Wands

The proud figure in this card is showing off their body and is obviously basking in the limelight.  The Six of Wands usually represents victory, cheer, and praise.

The World

This is a card of completion and mastery.  The figure is literally "on top of the world" and is flanked on all sides by powerful spiritual allies; an angel, eagle, lion, and bull.  Her wands are like fiery batons and she seems as if she is about to show us what she can do.

Queen of Wands

This Queen is a country lover and traditionally her companion is a little black cat.  The painting here is made to seem a little cliché and cute; the type of image a shopping mall mom might like or wear on a T-shirt.  My Queen of Wands was inspired by the classic look of Brigitt Bardot; she is passionate, attractive, honorable, and loving, yet she has a tendency to be jealous and demanding at times.

King of Pentacles

The Pentacles cards are ruled by the element of Earth, so why not show its King as a mighty oak?  This King is old with experience and wisdom, yet he is approachable like a favorite teacher.  He usually represents an employer or other person who holds a lot of wealth and authority.  While his queen concerns herself with intimate family and friends, he is more concerned with the outside world and is more active in large institutions like churches, schools, banks, and businesses whose services he provides for the good of All.

***Well, hopefully this gives you a mighty preview of how the cards are coming along.  Painting them has been both a joy AND an obsession.  I'm happy to do it. 

~V 

What you can expect to see next: I've been meaning to finish a few new comic strips starring my latest character, Natasha Claus, for the holidays.  More sketches of new characters and finished scripts are in the works.  I will preview them here in the upcoming week, that is, if I don't get too carried away with my Tarot deck!