From February 2017

The Majician tarot card art in progress by Bea Garth

Here’s the beginning of my Majician card for the Tarot. Its quite a project, but I seem to be getting the hang of it finally. I have gotten several tarot decks to get more of an idea of what to do.

This project I think will be life changing in some ways, since its undoubtedly going to improve my ability to remember which card does what in a tarot reading–which I believe will get me more consciously in touch with my unconscious (a good thing for an artist like me)–which likely will influence the rest of my artistic endeavors. I have an intuitive ability to pull significant cards and interpret them fairly well, but my memory hasn’t always been the best, especially what they mean in which order–so I usually have to look it up.

Of course I need to add in more color, shadows etc. Plus its likely some of the colors will change a bit (am thinking of lightening the blue sky–and darkening part of the cape). Nevertheless, I think its all there for this Majician.

I chose red hair to help represent the Goddess. Even though this is a mostly male card, it is displaying some of Her symbols–as well as the traditional symbols for the rest of the deck (which often equates to about the same thing!): cup, sword,  staff, pentacles –as well as Sun, quill pen, book, bird, Moon,  jar, Mercury–and even the old snake Wisdom. Plus the project many had of turning lead into gold…also representative of the Goddess.

"The Majician" tarot card in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2017
“The Majician” tarot card in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2017

This time I am using acrylic on canvas, and checked the size to make sure its right. I decided to make it a regular playing card size (i.e., that reduces to 2.5 x 3.5 inches). The top and bottom will have a border so I can number and name the cards. The left and right border will be cut off, but is here for now for the purposes of the painting. There is no need for a border for the width of the cards. Am thinking of making the border for the painting gold as in the old Renaissance tradition–though I could leave it white or make it some other color…

“Lady in Pink” in progress by Bea Garth

This piece is nearly done! I may need to change the title now that I added an extra dimension with the  hieroglyphic-like facial parts and silver paint in the background.

"Lady In Pink" painting in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2017
“Lady In Pink” painting in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2017

Am enjoying how the blue paint under the silver adds a subtle extra dimension.

My thoughts? Perhaps “The Whole World Is Watching.” Right now I just need to cogitate on it…

Still have to work on shadow for the hand, cat and face–but these will be minor adjustments.  Am planning to get back at it later today.

“Lady In Pink” in progress, painting by Bea Garth

Here’s my latest update of my painting “Lady in Pink” –still in progress. I did some good work on it last night. I am enjoying the rich new paint I bought recently and plan to do more with it. I am enjoying the drama the shadows bring to it.  Even though it is a very simple painting I think it creates a strong  presence.

“Lady In Pink” acrylic painting in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2017

Meanwhile, I think the imbalance in the world events finally got to me — I ended up depressed and developed a really bad case of hives. Talk about the itchy bitchies!

As a result, I have gotten  back into doing yoga and meditation again. It really helps me feel much more balanced and far more capable of steering a positive path in this turbulent world. Plus the meditation has helped me get rid of the hives!!

I can well imagine the “Lady in Pink” along with her trusty cat about to meditate too!