Deviant Moon Tarot

Inspiration
Tarot of the Deviant Moon was created using various forms of photographic manipulation.Each card starts with a complete drawing. The work is scanned into the computer where I applyvarious photographic textures. Nineteenth century tombstones provide most of the clothes worn bythe citizens of the Deviant Moon. I bent, twisted, and reformed my photos to become capes, boots,hats and trim. One of the best parts of creating the deck was “hunting” for specific textures as Irespectfully tiptoed around the graveyards of eastern Long Island, N.Y. Background buildings werecreated with photographs I took from a local abandoned insane asylum. Rotted doors, windows andwalls became castles, factories and cities.
My character stylization was influenced by ancient Greek art, yet I gave them a slightlyabstracted twist. I chose to draw them in a flat, playing card style, rendering them with heavylight and shadows. The figures were then placed in a shallow background. As I worked, different styles emerged, and before long the characters evolved into the moon-facedbeings seen in the cards.
Symbolism for the deck comes from childhood dreams and imagination that carried itself intomy adult world. I have always seen the melancholy side of life and have sought to express myvisions through the characters I create. The moon has always been a psychic friend to me. As thesentinel of the night, it feeds my dreams and casts a strange glow on the way I see the colors ofreality.
Nothing has had a greater influence over my art then the tarot itself. I first discoveredthe tarot at the age of nine. I was captivated by the unique characters I saw on each card andstudied the artwork intensely. My favorites were the old 19th century and medieval decks. Whilemy classmates where drawing what children normally do, I was busy making my own little pictures ofthe fool or the magician. Over the years I have made many attempts to create my own deck, butnever completed more then a few cards each time. I held the ideas of my early random creations andrevitalized them here in the Deviant Moon.
Physically, this deck has taken over three years to complete, although it is at least thirtyyears in the making. It is not only a testament to my art, but a record of my life.
Tarot of the Deviant Moon has been released! Select retailers are receiving copies now.
Website is ready, but will open upon release of the deck.........
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