Knight of Wands

The knight of wands was SO tricky too! I decided to do a brave tree, sitting out on a road. The road symbolizes movement--the knight of wands is moving about so quickly and bravely that he often doesn't see where he is going. And he might be hit at any moment by a car, but he doesn't care!

Page of Wands

I've finally gotten over my "painters block" concerning this deck. After much deliberation, I went with the standard page- knight-queen-king approach, but each of the trees will be older and wiser than the last. Anyways, here is the page of wands! Creativity and inspiration, through flowers and butterflies. A young tree, with much life ahead of her!

Updates

I have been sketching the rest of the suit of wands, but I have not had as much time as I would like to work on it lately. I should have something to post later this week :)

Ten of Wands

I'm really happy with the 10 of wands! The seedling tree tries so hard to grow, but the light is dim...

Eight of Wands

Eight of wands - I went with a traditional kind of view on this because I liked the idea of it :)

Nine of Wands

Here is the nine of wands card. I was thinking about trees who get weighted down--by snow, rock slides, or another fallen tree. This tree has been weighted down, but as per the meaning of the 9 of wands card--it has managed to endure and continue to grow, new shoots growing to the sky!

Three of Wands - Revised

I was very unhappy with my three of wands card, so I painted a new one. This new painting, I feel, better reflects the meaning of the three. What do you think?

Seven of Wands

My favorite wand thus far. The seven of wands stands in the face of adversity (a village cutting down the forest for firewood. They stand firm and unyielding against the axes of the villagers. Beyond, they protect a wood surrounded by mountains. The wands are trees in full summer bloom.

Six of Wands

The six of wands sits serenely in the sunlight. The wands are trees in full summer bloom.

Five of Wands

The five of wands fight against each other for the forest space and sunlight. The wands are trees in full summer bloom.

Four of Wands

The Four of Wands are at peace. The wands are trees in full summer bloom.

Three of Wands

The three of wands stand apart from the woods! They are free and invidualistic. wands are trees in full summer bloom.

Two of Wands

The two of wands sit by a serene lake. The wands are trees in full summer bloom.

Ace of Wands/Staves

The completed ace of wands card. The wands are trees in full summer bloom.

Progress...

I went to the local copy shop today and had the printer print out a major arcana set just to see what they look like. I had them printed at 2.5 x 3.5, which was my original size I intended, but I think now that that is a little small so I might go bigger for the final deck. I have plenty of time to figure this out while I am painting the minor arcana.

Updates: I am finishing up the first 10 wands now and will post these once I think they are complete. I painted most of them over the Christmas break. Now that I am starting my studies back up next week, things will slow down. My goal right now is to try to get the rest of the deck painted and scanned by the end of the summer!

Card Borders - Attempt #2

This is a super-simplified border from the last one I posted.  Thoughts? I think I need some border so that I can put the text on, but I've toned everything down and made the art larger.  

Card Border Example

Here is an example of the border and text for the Tree deck. I may tweak this some more....thoughts?

Judgement

I also struggled with the theme for this card. I decided to go with a seed theme--the idea that the seed is buried and remains dormant until the right conditions arrive--sunlight and rain from the heavens.

The Star

The star shines brightly in the sky as the landscape below blooms.

Death

The last few cards of the major arcana were a struggle for me. I knew I wanted to portray a dead tree, or a fallen tree, in some way for this card. Death is about permanent change--and what is more permanent for a tree than being cut? But the wood will live on--in paper, furniture, the flame, or even as food for other plants.

Devil Revised

I thought that something was missing in the "devil" card, so I added a raven. I think the card feels more complete now.

Tree Tarot Progress

At this point, all of the cards that I have spent the last four months painting are complete. I have three more cards to do from the major arcana - the Star, Judgment, and Death. These cards are conceptualized and sketched and will be painted over the holidays.

After that, I will begin on the suit of wands. More updates to come soon!

The World

The world is one of my favorite cards I have painted yet. I think the image here speaks for itself.

The Sun

The sun brightly lights up the sky while a peaceful walled garden grows below.

The Moon

The moon looms high in the sky while it is framed by two trees on the surface of a still lake. The mist, often associated with the otherworld in Celtic mythology, begins to roll in.