I See a Tarot Deck in Your Future...
Well, my future anyway. My tarot deck is already under way. By now you already know that I've always been drawn to art that is rich with symbolism, where you could literally stare at an image for great lengths of time trying to decipher all of the hidden meanings. Each card is like a little puzzle, some decks use triangles and curves to indicate whether the influences are from past or future, other rely greatly on the readers understanding of various mythologies to get their messages across and some are purely whimsical, cool art without much regard to the symbolism.
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| David Palladini's Aquariam Tarot, still one of my absolute favourite decks |
Busy, busy, busy
Recently got back from New Orleans and now getting ready for ArtFest next month where I'll be teaching a couple of classes on both my layered collage and illustration/painting techniques.
New Orleans was fantastic, well here, see for yourself....the best review of the trip you're gonna get is from my travel partner extraordinaire Michael deMeng. I could tell you all about it, but truly, he does a much better job (and he had the camera...).
I'll leave you with a quick New Orleans voodoo inspired sketch for now, and more from the studio later...
A.
The Mystical Eight of Swords
I may have mentioned once or twice before just how much I adore tarot cards. Beautifully depicted scenes rich in symbolism awaiting mystic and metaphoric interpretation - what could be better? In the course of doing personal tarot card readings (what?! you didn't know I moonlight as a gypsy?) I had noticed the recurrence of the 8 of swords in my readings. Now if you aren't familiar with the 8 of swords, well, it's not the friendliest looking card in the deck; sure, it doesn't strike the same fear in your heart as some of the other cards like "Death" or the "Tower", but it's not exactly what you want to see on a regular basis either.
Essentially, this is a card of bondage and oppression from an outside force, however, spiritually and emotionally you play some fundamental role in your current circumstance. The situation you find yourself in is of your own making and it fear that provides the bondage. You will typically see the eight of swords represented by a woman bound, blindfolded and surrounded by swords that stand guard around her or hold her prisoner depending on your perspective. A tower or fortress of some kind rises up in the background signifying the oppressor, and often the ground appears marshy and wet to show the discomfort and uncertainty. Because she is blindfolded she is unaware of the fact she is in fact surrounded by the very tools that will either prove to be her utter undoing or allow her to cut her bindings and result in her freedom, but the fact still remains that despite the bleak appearance, she does indeed have a way out.
After much reflection, I decided to reintrepret the 8 of swords like this:
Sometimes it isn't what you don't see that imprisons you, but what you don't say. Enough said.
The Visionary
This latest piece titled "The Visionary" depicts a woman living in one time, but who is looking forward to another. She is trapped in her body and her mind is longing for something different. She is in such need for a different reality that she can clearly visualize it. This is emphasized through the addtion of the watch piece as a monocle. The chain creates a connection between the monocle and the door knocker at her chest (heart) further accentuating the depth and magnitude of her longing to be in a different time. The collage elements that form the woman's body heighten the awareness of a woman pulled between two places in time. The turban suggests an older form of dress, while the grungy ink covering her eye suggests a more recent time. The ink further represents her vision obscured by tears that trickle down her face as she is denied the existence she so desperately seeks. In the background collaged numbers and pencils represent a time that women were denied access to education. The antique brass compass and chest piece reminds of the same facts, contrasted by the metal plate from a microchip that brings us to modern times and the emancipation of women.
So that's my biased interpretation of "The Visionary" - now, what do you think it all means?
Working Backwards
Tons of layers and textures in this piece and yes her heart is covered in shattered mica pieces and guarded with wires and nails.
Vancouver *2 * 0 * 1 * 0*
Hope everyone's Valentine's Day was spectacular! Now I need to order supplies and gear up for Michael de Meng's class and ArtFest next month. Can't wait!!!
