“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” – Thomas Merton.

Mr. Merton said it well because that’s exactly how I would describe my current journey.

In the last few months, I have been a bit silent because I have been working on a fantastic, but extensive, painting project for a publishing company, who publishes books, board games, tarot and playing cards.

My commission is to create an entire tarot deck, which consists of 78 cards, which means 78 paintings. As of today, I have done

14 paintings (64 more to go!). The deck will be in my style of painting, which you are familiar with, but I will be using as guidance the Rider-Waite-Smith system, which is the world’s most popular tarot deck.

[Image Credit: Kayla Maurais, Unsplash]

I have never done anything like this before, but the publishing company I am working with is fantastic and has offered me plenty of guidance, support, care, and time.

I love the challenge and the thrill that this project brings. It will take me about two years to finish the tarot deck, but my motto is “slow and steady”. This is all extremely engaging for me because I have always been fascinated with divination and mystical themes.

For legal reasons, I am unable to share visuals of my tarot deck with you, but as soon as the images are copyrighted, you’ll be the first to see them.

As expressed beautifully by Thomas Merton, art is a deeply personal undertaking.

Thank you for your continued friendship and support on my journey.

-Isabel