Because it is International Women’s Day and because Pamela Coleman Smith died in poverty in spite of being the artist of the iconic Smith-Waite Tarot, I am featuring 11 of my favourite Tarot artists today.
First out, of course, is Pamela aka ‘Pixie’ herself, here with the four Queens from the Centennial version, which is thought to have the colouring closest to what Pixie had intended.
The artist of the Thoth Tarot was from a more privileged background. Though not a fan of Crowley, I’m a big fan of the art of Frieda Harris. Pictured below are the four queens from the large (OOP) Thoth Tarot…
Let’s move on to contemporary artists. First out we have Gabi West, whose Tarot and oracle decks are inspired by tattoo art. Here we have the original (not mass produced) Bonefire Tarot Queens…
Stephanie Pui-Mun Law is the artist behind the beautiful and lyrical Shadowscapes Tarot. Behold the glory of the four Queens of the Realm.
Next up we have one of my favourite faery-themed Tarot decks (tied for first place with the next deck), the Hidden Realm Tarot by Julia Jeffrey. Her Faery Queens are so wonderfully alive!
And here is the other favourite faery-themed deck I wanted to share with you… The artist behind the Faerie Tarot is Nathalie Hertz. Her Queens have a way of being very direct about the truth.
Monicka Clio Sakki always delights me with her art. Here are the four Queens from her Sakki-Sakki Tarot. These Queens often provide an alternative perspective.
I must admit that I find the Chrysalis Tarot confusing to work with because all the suits have been renamed and some of the cards have been given very alternative meanings to say the least. However, Holly Sierra’s artwork speaks for itself… Look at the beauty of these four Queens!
Jennifer Galasso (visit her site to find out which Tarot archetype YOU are!) is the creatrix behind the sweet and mystical Crystal Visions Tarot. These four Queens can readily take you on journeys to foreign realms and make for great character prompts if you are writing a fantasy novel.
Next up we have the After Tarot by Giulia F. Massaglia. Look closely at these Queens. What they are doing in the four cards below, is what happens seconds or minutes after what you see in the original Smith-Waite Tarot.
And finally… my absolute favourite, the Thelema Tarot by Renata Lechner. These four Queens live in an enchanted realm that I wish not just to visit but to live in permanently.
Do you feel female artists are fairly compensated for their work? How about female Tarot readers? Who is YOUR favourite female artist? I know I have left some great ones out so please feel free to give them a shout out in the comments!
Happy International Women’s Day and Goddess Bless!
Lisa Frideborg
Comments 52
I adore Emily Carding’s tarot work. The Tarot of the Sidhe is incredibly powerful, and the Transparent Tarot was absolutely groundbreaking! 😀
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Yes, the Transparent Oracle is very unique too.
I also need to give a wonderful shout out to Mickie! 😀 http://instagram.com/mickiemueller
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Which deck(s) did she make, Lisa – it doesn’t say on her IG…?
She made one of the Celtic Tree Ogham oracle decks and I believe she worked on a cat tarot but I will double check. I just love her art! 🙂 KalaTrobe.com and as mentioned by another here, Emily Carding! 😀
Frideborg Tarot is my favorite! It is moving and Lisa your writing and wisdom moves me every time I read it and reflect upon it. I also like Barbara Moore’s deck under Llewelyn Publications. Thank you.
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Wow, thank you, Seanna! <3
Renata Lechner, Frieda Harris…I also like Dame Darcy (she has a Mermaid Deck…very whimsical!)…Can I include Lisa’s Deck here too?
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Why thank you 🙂
My frustration with tarot art is often artists are very good at one style of face so you see similar people all over the tarot when to me they are very different people and should reflect that. Also and I know this is PC but why only one race group and generally all young women portrayed.
When selecting a new deck it has to talk to me and I have to beable to read the picture and sometimes although beautiful not all decks are easy to read.
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Actually, there are quite a few multi-cultural decks out there these days. The Gaian Tarot has been mentioned already in this thread… maybe check it out?
I only have one tarot deck and that is Joanna Powell Colbert’s Gaian Tarot. I love the way her art brings the tarot to life.
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Yes, truly great artist!
Ravynne Phelan is great – her Dreams of Gaia tarot is beautiful.
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Great artist!
I am fond of Jyoti McKie ,the artist of the Healing Earth Tarot.
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That’s new to me, thanks – will check it out!
I love Stephanie Pui-Mun Law. She is my all time favorite! <3
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Agreed. I’ve had some really special readings with her deck 🙂
Sweet Lisa!
I like Anne-Marie Ferguson’s Deck.
It’s called “The Llewellyn Tarot companion”. Do you know it?
God Bless you!
Jan
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Hi Jan, yes, I know that deck but do not own it. I haven’t been in love with the quality of Llewellyn deck card stock lately… How do you find them? Blessings in return <3
Hi Sweet Lisa!
I bought it almost ten years ago at Amazon.com…
(have a Wonderful day! I admire you soooo much!)
XO XO
Jan
It’s not a tarot deck however but the artist that Colette Baron Reid uses for some of her oracle decks Widosm of the Oracle being the one I personally own and love the imagery to. The artists name is
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The artist’s name is…?
A wonderful Pacific Northwest Artist is Joanna Powell Colbert and her Gaian Tarot http://www.gaiantarot.com
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That’s a wonderful deck, Barbara – thank you!
I don’t have so many decks and I don’t know about artist that draw them more than one so I say Lisa Frideborg and her The Frideborgs tarot
//Jess
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Thank you so much, Jess! <3
Chesca Potter’s Greenwood Tarot, as well as her art for the Celtic Shaman’s Pack by John Matthews, is one of my favourite. Her Lady of the Ways from the latter is one of the most beautiful divinations cards for me.
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The Greenwood – such a shame that it is no longer available!
I was shocked when I found out last year that it’s worth so much money!
This was a hard one Lisa, I have several ones from the choices. However if I can only choose one, it would have to be Renata Lechner from the Thelma Tarot.
Those images are so vibrant and feminine. Showing females in our beauty yet also our many facets. Each one of us have these strengths inside of us. However because of our beauty and feminism, many males fail to see just how strong we really can be in the many aspects of being female. So I think this artist truly sums us up well in all the many roles females have to play, to keep this world and our families growing strong in the right directions.
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Good choice!
Kim Krans and The Wild Unknown Tarot and Animal Spirit!
https://www.thewildunknown.com/
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That one’s had a few votes already 🙂
Ana Tourian! I adore her work.
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She is the artist of which deck?
The Hidden Waters Tarot, the Tarot of the Abyss, the Oracle of Echoes, and the upcoming Bonestone & Earthflesh Tarot (designed by Avalon Cameron).
Oh! And the Clair de Lune Lenormand.
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Thanks, will have to check her work out!
Mine is Robin Scott with her beautiful Urban Tarot!
Thanks for this post 🙂
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Will have to check it out, thanks Cornelius!
The link 😉
http://www.robinscottart.com/
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Thanks for the link!
My favorite female artist is Jasmine Becket-Griffith. I love her artwork.
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Ah yes, beautiful art!
Lovely decks and lovely post from a lovely lady! Triple loveliness 🙂
My answer is Kim Krans with her deck, The Wild Unknown
https://www.thewildunknown.com
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That is probably the most popular deck on Instagram!
So many beautiful decks! I like Giulia F. Massaglia as well as Renata Lechner. Not included in this post, but I love Kris Waldherr and her Goddess Tarot deck, as well!
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Yes, Waldherr’s Goddess deck is a classic.
My favourite Queens are the Thelema Queens too. Great article x
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Thanks for weighing in, Sandra – glad you enjoyed this post! 🙂 x