From Tarot Card Work in Progress

“The Magician” Tarot Art by Bea Garth

I think the Magician Card is finally done except for the border and maybe just a wee bit more shadow on the white globe he/she is holding and the snake wrapping around the arm.

"The Magician," acrylic on canvas by Bea Garth, copyright 2017
“The Magician,” acrylic on canvas by Bea Garth, copyright 2017

It definitely has taken me a while to get used to doing this genre. First of all it involves working upright rather than my usual horizontal plane for a painting. Second is figuring out what size to make the original image so it translates well into the size of a card.

Third there is a whole history and tradition I have needed to become more aware of since the images are symbolic of the various archetypes traditionally expressed in Tarot–while also expressing my own  vision I bring to the subject.

It wasn’t enough for me to be somewhat versed in the Tarot, I needed to see more cards and study its history. I thus have been perusing several Tarot decks I now own–including that of my friend Christine and her husband Michael who inspired me to try my hand at this field to begin with.

I am now starting to feel more comfortable with how it all works and look forward to making the next Tarot painting fairly soon.

Christine says in a way its like playing 3-D chess, and I think she is right, especially from the point of view of making the images  meditative pieces designed to take the viewer into a trance to more accurately divine what is or is not going on in one’s life.

“Magician” tarot card in progress by Bea Garth

I finally made some changes to my tarot Magician card the last few nights.

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

It finally is really coming along.  As you might be able to tell, I really made some major changes to the colors, plus added in some shadow.

There is more to do, but it shouldn’t take long.

This painting is teaching me that the magician is strong yet sensitive, male but with female traits, or is that the reverse??

The cape seems to want to be the way it is. I tried putting shadow, but it destroyed it. It needs to feel backlit it seems!! Perhaps the conscious light coming from within  Spirit??

“Fool” in progress, Carpet finally in

Well am getting close.  I like how the carpet came out, though I need to add in some shadows. More to do with the book and of course the dog — though it  just might become a cat!!

"Fool" in progress with carpet, pot etc. added by Bea Garth, copyright 2016
“Fool” in progress with carpet, pot etc. added by Bea Garth, copyright 2016

“Fool” Tarot card close to done

So I didn’t get in as much painting today as I would have liked. Nevertheless, “The Fool” is coming along. I felt inspired late tonight!

I was actually feeling kind of depressed since I was convinced I had ruined the painting the other day. But I decided to let my imagination go and not worry about it since what was there to lose?? In actuality this attitude freed me. I think I was getting too tight about it.

"The Fool" work in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2016
“The Fool” work in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2016

I decided too to not worry any more about all the symbology. There is more than enough there without getting so carried away. So I simplified some of it and just let the artist in me take over.

It is a much more complicated piece in a narrow area than I am used to dealing with. The zig zags plus brightening the Fools clothing saved it, IMHO! That plus  making the fish and mer/sky woman both more dramatic and in the shadows plus defining and  highlighting the Fool’s face.

More to do but am hoping to have it all done sometime Monday at the latest!

Whether or not I choose to keep the carpet in front will be the next challenge.

Other question is, is this Visionary Surreal Art? I would guess it really is. With quite a bit of magic methinks. The gods and goddesses seem to be inspiring me despite my daily struggles…

 

“The Fool” in progress contd.

Worked really late on this next stage of The Fool. Its different than my usual work though there are definite elements I am more familiar with like the stretched leg and the fish, and even the carpet if I keep it. Am loving the imaginative stretch!

I got rid of the huge sun since it was too busy and took away from the impact of the Fool. Its still there, but not overpowering everything else. Color always changes everything, IMHO. I have to be and am willing to simplify as compared to a line drawing.

"The Fool" tarot card in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2016
“The Fool” tarot card in progress by Bea Garth, copyright 2016

I am definitely relating with the Fool given all my late hours recently… I plan to get started earlier this evening in hopes I can get this done in a day or two.

Fool Card w/ background in progress…

I made some more progress with the Fool tarot card last night. I put in a lot of the background. I decided at the last minute to put in the red earth to balance the meaning as well as the pix.  The idea is several planes of reality mixing with each other.

"Fool" tarot card in progress w background colors by Bea Garth, copyright 2016
“Fool” tarot card in progress w background colors by Bea Garth, copyright 2016

“The Fool” Tarot card in progress with acrylic on faces etc.

I worked on my tarot card (“The Fool”) late last night after the debates. Somehow this card seems very appropriate at this time of crazy politics from both sides, IMHO!

I had to enlarge the width of the painting a tiny bit so it will make the right size card when reduced down. Thankfully I could since its on watercolor paper…and I just use blue painters tape to hold the paper down.

I decided to go ahead and use acrylic paint.  I have found that acrylic is much more durable than watercolor or gouache.  For instance, I have a wonderful painting of the almost mythic Wild Ox that got ruined due to my studio being too damp, and that was in San Jose, CA!! (Yes sometime I need to make another one…).

"The Fool" acrylic on faces & appendages work in progress by Bea Garth copyright 2016
“The Fool” acrylic on faces & appendages work in progress by Bea Garth copyright 2016

Plus if I need  to go in and change things, with acrylics I can do so without sweating it. I have found the acrylics stay cleaner and are easier to frame too.

So as you can see, last night I decided to work on the faces etc. first. And in a few, I will be working on it again. Maybe work on the Sun and background before the rest..  We will see! I let my subconscious guide me in these matters. Its always fun to see where it takes me!