From: Elements of Magic
One of the things I like about tarot is its consistency. No matter how different the deck, the system outline is always there...seventy-eight cards, twenty-two major arcana, and four suits.
With its bold colors, distinctive lines, and street-smart style, 78 Cards (Tattoo Tarot) is a tarot deck with an edge. Combining age-old symbolism with a deeply colorful tattoo style art, these cards have a personality all of their own. While this deck may borrow from the Waite/Smith system, it clearly thinks outside of the traditional tarot box.
To begin with, the cards come in the order in which the artist drew them, beginning with the Nine of Wands and ending with the Hanged Man. This allows us to see the progression of Lana's drawing project. I absolutely love that she did it this way! I also like that she lists the drawing number at the bottom of each card. For instance, you can see that The Star card was Drawing No 3 in her project and that the Two of Swords was Drawing No 11. How cool is that?!
Not wanting to miss out on the full experience and because I was seriously excited about this tarot deck, I also ordered 78 Cards: The Book of Meanings companion book. Overall this book is well done with glossy pages, large colorful images, and general divinatory meanings of the cards. However, I was surprised to find very little explanation regarding the illustrations and the use of symbolism specific to this deck. Still, it is a beautiful book, as well as a very cool collaborative effort featuring five different writers, each focusing on different parts of the tarot. Kelly-Ann Maddox addresses the Major Arcana, Christy Talbot addresses the suite of Wands, Sebastian Akesson addresses the suit of Cups, Ethony Dawn addresses the Swords, and its Lana Zellner, addressing the Pentacles.
My favorite part of the book, however, is Lana's story, which I found extremely inspiring. I appreciate her willingness to put it out there, sharing her artistic progression, as well as her career transition.
Drawing #21, the Page of Pentacles was her first painting. Before that everything was completed with color pencils and markers. Apparently this was a huge development for her as an artist. Again, I find all of this extremely interesting, as well as inspiring.
I like that I can pick up any deck and have a general idea of its meanings. The other thing I like about it, and one of the things that makes it so very interesting, is how adaptable it is to individual perspective. I like how different decks offer different view points, further expanding the meanings of the cards. Whether or not a particular deck resonates with us, we can appreciate that we are holding in our hands an incredible book of art. This is how I feel about the Tattoo Tarot deck created by Lana Zellner.
Not only does this deck resonate with me, but I rather like its plucky attitude and gritty urban flare.
To begin with, the cards come in the order in which the artist drew them, beginning with the Nine of Wands and ending with the Hanged Man. This allows us to see the progression of Lana's drawing project. I absolutely love that she did it this way! I also like that she lists the drawing number at the bottom of each card. For instance, you can see that The Star card was Drawing No 3 in her project and that the Two of Swords was Drawing No 11. How cool is that?!
My favorite part of the book, however, is Lana's story, which I found extremely inspiring. I appreciate her willingness to put it out there, sharing her artistic progression, as well as her career transition.
I was fascinated by her creative process in general...especially in relation to tarot.
In her book Lana explains that 78 Cards started out as a drawing project, a chance to grow as an artist and push herself in new directions. While frequenting Blaque Owl Tattoo in Missoula, Montana, in the midst of a major career change, she decided to follow her heart and take up drawing again. This led to 'Operation Draw More' where she posted her drawings daily on Instagram. This inevitably led to the 78 Cards project. This is the short version, of course. The book version is a little more personal and much more interesting.
She makes a point to mention some of the notable cards in relations to her life and the project, such as drawing #1, the Nine of Wands, where she gathered her strength and determination to stay the course of the project. Drawing #7, the Eight of Coins is significant to her apprenticeship as a tattoo artist, and also inspired the name of her company, Eight Coins.
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