Sneak Peek
One thing I love about my job as tarot acquisitions editor is watching an idea go from concept to manifestation. An author or artist approaches us with an idea. Everyone likes the idea. It grows and evolves. It is completed…well, the art and the text are completed. But there is still a lot that happens before the deck hits the bookstore shelves.
There are numerous meetings about the look and presentation of the deck. Who is the audience? What is the personality of the deck? How can we best express the essence of this deck in an image a buyer may look at for a split second before moving on? How do communicate all the promise that these particular seventy-eight cards hold? And all of that has to be balanced with more mundane concerns—economics, competition, other projects also nearing completion.
One of my favorite meetings is when we discuss the final title and cover ideas. It’s usually a fun and creative brainstorming session. But my very favorite is meeting where the designer reveals the designs he or she has created based on the previous brainstorming meeting ideas, and we (the committee) get to pick one. It’s so amazing to me how the designers take our ideas and our sometimes vague direction and make such amazing pieces of art.
Just a few weeks ago we had one such meeting for a project coming out this spring. It’s a much anticipated deck that the artist has been working on for quite a while. The artist is Stephanie Pui-Mun Law and the deck is called Shadowscapes. You can see the cards at her website. And—lucky you!—you can see the kit box cover right here:
Thanks so much for the preview! I have been avidly anticipating this deck for almost a year now, and an article like this has just further stoked my excitement. Where can I get updates on the release? The last I heard was a vague “available 2010.”
Well, I don’t know about updates, but it is a spring release (our spring tarot kits are usually out in May). Unless something awful happens, that isn’t likely to change. Oh, I know how you can keep updated! When I get my checking copy of the book and deck, I post it on this blog. Then you’ll know when it’s really, really close. So, I guess you’ll just have to keep checking in here 🙂
I looked at the website…
my favorite was the fool (but, of course!)
the heirophant was unexpected, but along with the text presented an insight into the meaning of that card.
I looked at “Strength” because it seems to show up in most of the spreads I draw: the lion is much larger in relation to the figure of the female than depicted on the deck I am using now (Gilded). Of all the figures drawn, the face of the woman was the least finished.
And then, I looked at the lovers (because it NEVER shows up on any spread I draw) and the whole affect
was so sweet…despite the snake and the apple.
A lovely deck, dreamy pastel tones…I’ll throw this one on the wish list!
It’s such a pretty cover. I like the use of purple–kind of unusual. Bravo to all involved!
Interesting point about the purple. You are right…unusual. But why? I think of purple as a very new-agey, spiritual color perfectly suited to tarot. And yet, we rarely use it. Why is that?
lada, that heirophant is one of my very favorites.
Oh, I have been lusting after this deck for years ever since I came across Stephanie’s website. I asked the author if she knew if the deck would be available for sale in time for February 2010’s Pantheacon because I sure would love to buy it there and have her sign it! Ack! She told me it was probably not going to be released by then – dang it! May 2010 is tooooooo far away! So, consider this my BIG hint (nudge nudge wink wink)…=-)