About The Series

My latest journey with art has been realized through the tarot, a centuries-old tradition of divination. An oracular art, based on interpreting symbols and images on cards, tarot is a pictorial language, and lends itself perfectly to storytelling through portraiture (two of my favorite things).

Pamela Colman Smith (1878-1951) was the artist behind all 78 cards in the classic Waite-Smith deck. Smith's images are captivating, enigmatic and strange, and to those who read tarot, iconic. She was a prolific and talented illustrator, drawn to the whimsical and theatrical as much as to the macabre and the occult. She never received due recognition for her originality and achievement during her lifetime, and died in obscurity. She lives on posthumously through her art, however, as today, the Waite-Smith deck is the most popular in the world, with countless other decks inspired by her work. Through this series, I too hope to honor her, and her vision, and to revive her in some small way.

Using the imagery of the Waite-Smith deck, and combining it with elements from mythology and folklore, my paintings are a reimagining of certain cards in large-scale portrait format, all hand-stretched on linen, with a handmade custom wooden frame. Each card character was modeled by a close friend who I feel embodies the qualities of the archetype; each rendering a showcase of her own particular beauty; and each painting a pastiche of my favorite genres and styles of art, and a tribute to some of my favorite artists.

My goal was not to reproduce every card in the deck. Rather, I have chosen twelve of the Major Arcana, or trump cards, as my working set. It has been a collaborative effort as well as solitary work; an enormous undertaking as well as a joy to plan and ponder; a way to inhabit a multitude of personalities, and a chance to play in the imaginal realm. I hope you take inspiration from my labor of love.