Who can explain the vicissitudes of the imagination? My husband and his band members of CLIMATE STRANGE were playing their piece “Crystal Acrobat.” It was about looking out the window at the snow. I was drawing, enjoying their music, and out came this piece–notwithstanding the fact it is a hot day in the middle of June here in the Pacific Northwest!
Well maybe I was also feeling a little sad, which I think does come through in this drawing. Reason being I was feeling that way is that James, the lead guitarist, is about to move back to San Jose. I will be very sorry to see him go since he truly ads a lot to the band, plus he is a really nice guy. He will be hard to replace since all their music is completely original. To hear some snyps of their amazing music, go to their website at https://climatestrange.org/music-2/
I often think of my pen and ink drawings as “warm ups.” Although in this case, I believe it is probably the finished piece.
“The Fool” pen and ink by Bea Garth, work in progress for the tarot card, copyright 2016
I finally went and did it and now I think there is no turning back! The other day I decided to go ahead and begin drawing and painting my own tarot deck. Christine Payne Towler suggested it might be a good idea since my work is “so iconic.”
The truth is after feeling a bit daunted by the prospect, by plunging ahead I have just discovered I am loving it. With this project I can combine my love of astrology and tarot with my passion for making visual art.
So tonight I really went at it. I definitely am combining symbols from astrology and the tarot as well as other sources, including symbols I like using in my work. I have decided to throw out objective reality and combine realities to create a feeling of the inner and outer planes of existence–which of course really befits the Fool.
Meanwhile I am looking at Christine’s beautiful and definitive new in depth book on the tarot (TAROT OF THE HOLY LIGHT) as well as her new deck with her husband, Michael Dowers as guides.
I am very inspired! So thank you Christine and Michael, as well as the heavens for helping me take this step!! Since yes making 72 cards is quite a project. But now I see how I can do it, using watercolor paper and pen and ink with a pencil drawing first–and just let my imagination go.
I’ll be adding in color as I go of course. I will likely start with water color… I may end up with gouache or acrylic, but we will see.
I made this pen and ink drawing some years ago for a poetry reading series I was hosting in Los Gatos at Cafe Rouge. I always thought it would make a great painting.
“Listening To The Iguanas” pen and ink by Bea Garth, copyright 2016
The iguana is whispering something in the guy’s ear. I think maybe he’s listening even though there is a pretty woman sitting next to him looking expectant. Or is she just figuring him out, as in is he really real?? Outside there is an alligator, who seems to know what is going on. Yes really, what is up? Why are you so self protective?? Why look at me and not her?
So many of these drawings I can choose to make paintings from. I am getting pretty excited!
I have been musing about what style it is I exactly have–and have been thinking I should call it: Ancient/Modern/Surreal Art. Or is that just too clumsy?? Perhaps I should just call it Magical Realism?? I need to think on it. My work has never fit into any kind of box, which on the positive side makes it unique. But for purposes of the Internet, I need to find a way to classify what I do to get those who might be interested in my work to have any easy path to my site. So my dilemma dear readers, lol!
Certainly I have been influenced by ancient art from an early age. I was exposed to Native American art here in the Pacific Northwest as well as ancient and indigenous art from around the world as a child. My parents worked as anthropologists when I was very young. In addition I was very much influenced by my great Aunt Lottie’s amazing artwork and rugs she brought back from the Philippines.
I have also been influenced by the early moderns–Picasso, Modigliani, Gaugain, Matisse, Cassat and Kahlo amongst many others.
Further I very much interested in imagery inspired by Carl Jung’s notion of the Collective Unconscious as well as New Age metaphysics such as astrology and the tarot. I tend to focus on feelings expressed in the body language between people and our necessary connection with the Earth and its creatures–including the mythic dimension.
No matter what, I have been going through a major shift, just having moved back to the Pacific Northwest–so I am now setting up my new art studio. I want to continue painting and drawing on canvas and paper. But now, in addition, finally also get back to ceramic sculpture and wall plaques.
My good friend and tarot scholar Christine Payne Towler has also been encouraging me to begin a project of creating a new tarot deck–since, as she says, my work is iconic in nature. I am itching to begin!
Being here by the Columbia Gorge is for me like coming home with its beautiful vistas, abundant trees and wildlife and friendly people. This truly is where my heart is!
My husband and his band members of CLIMATE STRANGE were playing their piece “Crystal Acrobat.” It was about looking out the window at the snow. I was drawing, enjoying their music, and out came this piece–notwithstanding the fact it is a hot day in the middle of June here in the Pacific Northwest!
bgarthart.com 