In a collision of "small world" and synchronicity moments, James found my tarot class when he was interested in learning more about tarot for an art project that had come to him. We quickly discovered there was an undercurrent of connections between our worlds, and it seemed fated that we would work together on what was coming into shape in his mind, what you now see before you; Gold & Ash: the Illustrated Ethereal Tarot.

It's title is to stress that this deck is hand drawn, lovingly, painstakingly, from start to finish, only going to a digitized format when it's time to print the cards. Watching James work is nothing short of brilliant. I have always enjoyed watching artists create, and seeing how someone can take their medium and create something tangible yet unmeasurable for the eye of the beholder. The depth of emotion in charcoal is incredible, and I am so honored to be a part of this project.

I am a tradtionally trained Fine Artist from Youngstown, Ohio.  My artistic path began at the Columbus College of Art and Design, where I studed Illustration, and continued at Youngstown State University, where I earned a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design. Portraiture and design remain central ot my practice, shaping both the technical discipline and the expressive vision behind my work.

My illustrations focus on the Tarot's Major Arcana, re-imagined through the union of charcoal and gold leaf. Charcoal lends itself to depth, shadow and a dreamlike stillness, while gold leaf piecerces through with radiance, elevating each image into a sacred object. I believe technique and subject must carry equal weight. The beauty of the line must match the resonance of the archetype, and the gilded highlights must be as meaningful as the symbolism they illuminate.

At the heart of my work is a fascination with attraction. With those first, unspoken moments that draw us to someone or something. Was it admiration, love, or a sense of recognition? My art seeks to capture this invisible force of connection. In every figure, I strive to preserve a moment of magnetism, rendering it permanent through the dialogue of graphite, charcoal, and gold.

In essence, my work is about crafting frozen moments with images that hold within them both intimacy and universaility. The Tarot, with its archetypes and symbolic weight, becomes the perfect vessel for this pursuit and a nice well for my creativity. It bridges the personal and the collective, the earthly and the mystical. My illustrations are not only reinterpretations of tradition but also portals into the ineffable qualities of human experience.

Ultimately, my art is a dialogue between shadow and light, between the graphite's subtle grey's and gold's radiant gleam. It is an attempt to manifest the beauty I hold in my mind as faithfully and effectively as possible. My hope is that each piece offers not only a glimpse of mystery, but also a lasting moment of attraction. It's something powerful enough to linger on your walls, and wake your spirit.

(jamesthomasart.com)

My name is Elizabeth (or Beth), and I'm your local sun witch. My magick focuses on the power of community, but not in a coven or initiate way. All non-violent paths are welcome, and each person is only to share themselves at the capacity available. I am secular and eclectic, fully acknowledging that there are things much larger than my human experience at work, and it'd be foolish to ever think I can label them correctly. 

I love to learn about the many systems that make up our world, and greatly enjoy the work that was put into the tarot system by the Golden Dawn (AE Waite, Pamela "Pixie" Coleman, and the many other contributors of their time). While a lot of lore and mysticism has been assigned to tarot, most of it is unfounded, and it all comes back to a playing card game being used as a tool to speak with the gods. Humans have always seeked a position with something greater than themselves, and how they seek that is their path to walk alone. I'm here to lift up others, provide safe spaces for exploration, and fan the burning embers I see in someone into a spark that can burn brightly if they're willing to nurture it with hard work and authenticity.

James reminds me constantly that my insight into the world of tarot is also an important part of the project, and I'm humbled and honored to be a part of bringing this amazing body of work to life.