Updates - Tree Tarot Deck

I have been so busy writing my dissertation that my tree tarot has not had the progress that I wanted it to have. But these last few weeks, I have managed to paint four cards--and I have several more rough sketched. I am still hoping to finish this project by the end of 2008, but we will see how busy the fall is. I have decided to work on the suit of pentacles next, although I have concept sketches of many cards yet to complete from the swords and cups.

Nine of Pentacles

Rooted deep in the earth during the winter months.

Page of Pentacles

I am finally on my second suit - the pentacles. These are wintery. I'm not sure what I think of the ground on this one yet. I might revise it. But the sky stays.

Tree Tarot - Queen of Wands

Finally, I have been able to paint more tree tarot cards. Here is the queen of wands. The cat looks a little sad, so I'll have to brighten her up a bit :).

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!

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.

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.