Tuesday 21 October 2008

The Clock Tarot


CLOCK number six has been drawn from the hat, and with it a hand of tarot cards. This commission was a little bit of magic for Allegra Smith who asked for a clock with sprinklings of gypsies, of tarot cards and Egyptians, and a suspicion of a well loved cat.
I had a deck of tarot cards when I was young but have never known a great deal about the history and meanings behind the tarot, so for this clock I read a little and learned of the history of the iconography and significances. The early tarot decks are delightful, mostly woodblock printed and hand coloured. For more delvings into the history of these 78 images, I recommend this excellent tarot history site.



As this is to be a gift from Allegra to her beloved, a gift of time for someone whose time may be short, I chose the ace of coins for an important or valuable gift, the hermit for time and triumph over it, and the star for hope and rejuvenation. I hope that this little painted "spell" will wend its way over the ocean and be enjoyed by the recipients. The cat is a sphinxy version of their own cat, and time ticks around the Egyptian coin and over a broken palette of ochre-sand and azure sea-browns.

I so enjoyed my explorations into the history of the tarot that I am inspired to illustrate a whole deck. I like symbolic imagery with a central figure and text surrounding it; I like the characters that appear amongst the cards: Hermit, Fool, Magician; and I like collections of symbols: zodiacs, alphabets, calendars... This, of course, will be a job for another day.. another year!


37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Another WOW! Rima I think you were made to illustrate the Tarot. I'm surprised you haven't had 'dealings with it before! I have a pack I bought many years ago and used to regularly read them (for myself). I couldn't remember anything now, but I've always loved the images.x

tut-tut said...

So much rich detail in those three cards. I'm sure the recipients will meditate upon it . . .

I hope you post your tarot cards from time to time. Inspiring.

Suze said...

Another stunning item, Rima...so much care and thought shows in every detail.
A lucky giver and receiver.

Vita said...

you are ment to illustrate magical things!

Elva Undine said...

I loved the cat right away, and I must say - the slice of wood on which this is painted is so even around the edges, it seems almost strange!

d. moll, l.ac. said...

You and the Tarot would be an auspicious pairing.

valonia said...

The detail is so beautiful. I have loved every clock you have made so far. They are simply stunning.

Oh, and greetings from a sunny Thames side spot!

x V.

Anonymous said...

i have used my tarot deck personally
for...20 yrs?
its time for a new deck, but now i shall wait for yours!
this clock is another example of the thought that goes into your work. i know how fun it can be to get the beginning of an idea and then run with it and make it your own, and you have done that here, i am quite sure, to the satisfaction of its possessor.
blessed be....

laoi gaul~williams said...

Rima what an amazing gift~it really is incredible, i wish i had half of your talent!

Ted Marshall said...

Wonderful - you don't put a foot (brush) wrong with these clocks.

A.Smith said...

I wish some of the magic you create was mine to wish - and for it to come true - that all the happiness you bring to those fortunate enough to hold a piece of your art return to you twentyfold.

Thank you, dear Rima. It would be treasured for the art that it is, for the spirit of its meaning,
for the beauty of its representation, but above all, because you created it. Words are woefully inadequate to express my gratitude but lacking your magic, they will have to do.

Ciara Brehony said...

Oh! A Rima illustrated Tarot deck! Now that would be something....

This is, once again, beautiful.

laughingwolf said...

always totally captivated by your work, rima... kudos!

Anonymous said...

Rima, you never cease to amaze me....what a gift this clock will be....it brought me to tear a bit, knowing the clock will be in one's hands who's time may be short...again, what a gift for that person to cherish and who knows...there may be some magic in those cards....they are magical indeed....and your home looks so lovely and cosy...what a world you create in and create. thank you for your constant inspiration...what a gift.

tlchang said...

Another amazing creation. I still think of you daily as I gaze at my lovely clock on my studio wall. A bit of Old World feeling magic in my environment...

Best wishes on your preparations of venturing out in the near future.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Beautiful. I love the idea of a sweet spell dwelling inside this clock.

Anonymous said...

Ooh yes! A Rima Staines original tarot deck would be lovely.

Acornmoon said...

You would be the perfect artist to paint the Tarot. I hope you find time to paint some more clocks before you commence:-)

mama p said...

Oh, this is gorgeous. I hope you do get to explore tarot artistically some day; I think you'd enjoy it very much. You may find this artist's blog inspiring:
http://gaiantarot.typepad.com/artists_journal/
Joanna offers excellent meditations on each card, not to mention some gorgeous illustrations. I think her last post specific to tarot was Sept 28; it's been a treat to watch her work through an entire deck, to say the least! (You can also treat yourself to a mini-reading and peruse the entire deck in the menus to the right.) Enjoy!

Nao said...

This is a beautiful and magikal clock. Wow.

The creation of a tarot deck is a marvelous idea, the depth and mystery of your images will make for the most wonderful divination set.

I whole heartedly encourage you to embark on that adventure if it speaks to you.

Love you work Rima, just love it~

Half-heard in the Stillness said...

Another beautiful clock Rima, and how wonderful that it is to being bought to be given as a present. I can only imagine just how magical it would be to receive such a lovely gift! I have several packs of Tarot, I too think they are fascinating, the illustrations mystical and mysterious and inspiring. Each one of your gorgeous clocks are such wonderous works of art!

Curious Art said...

Splendid clock, & a profound & poignant gift. I'm certain your Tarot would be absolutely brilliant!

Anonymous said...

oh, rima, i LOVE it!!!!! it was delivered while i was away for my birthday, on saturday, and they finally brought it to me from the post office yesterday. it is wonderful! i had to laugh at how carefully it was wrapped, and felt like i was breaking into a bank. i commend you for the way you wrapped those delicate clock hands...
it is now hanging on my studio wall, where i will know what time the magic happens to be. thank you so much for such a beautiful piece of artwork, for taking the time to make it so special and so mine.
here is a link to what i just wrote in my blog:
http://ornamental.typepad.com/ornamental/2008/10/time-on-the-wall.html

hope all is well - xxx nina

Chris.P said...

Amazing work Rima. Really inspiring stuff.

I use the Druid Tarot deck which I think is quite a nicely painted deck. The cards have given up on me a bit of late as I keep asking the same questions and they got fed up with having to give me the same answers:¬)

I did struggle to find a deck I liked and there is a whole load of them out there. Anne Marie Ferguson's deck looks ok but there's nothing like your evocative style of painting. I would be at the front of the queue to buy a set of cards illustrated by you. But 78 cards is a whole lot of work.

Yoli said...

Rima as always your work is exquisite. How sad that it is for a beloved who may not have much time. I know it will be greatly enjoyed.

BT said...

Beautiful as always Rima, though I do prefer the less regular pieces of wood you've used in the previous clocks. I love the cat in Egyptian mode! Do do make a set of Tarot cards, they could only be one thing - wonderful!

BT

Griffin said...

"I like symbolic imagery with a central figure and text surrounding it; I like the characters that appear amongst the cards: Hermit, Fool, Magician; and I like collections of symbols: zodiacs, alphabets, calendars"

Yes, me too... all those pictures that have meanings of their own. I always loved the idea of the alphabet being a code.

I would love a Rima Tarot having used my own Rider-Waite deck for a long time. Your own take on the images would be interesting... and would you paint them like these or make woodblock prints?

Urban Witch said...

I love all your creations, especially this particular wooden clock. All your creations are just magical and has their own life. :)

Anonymous said...

Rima, such a wonderful clock! I love all of them. I'm dreaming of the day where maybe I can commission a piece.

Ro Bruhn said...

What fabulous magic you weave. I've just discovered your blog after visiting Nina Bagleys and seeing the wonderful clock you created for her. I love your work. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Gretel said...

I think a Hermitage Tarot deck would be an excellent idea!

Anonymous said...

We must admit we envy the recipient of this magical clock, but we are sure it is going to a wonderful home and will be truly cherished. You are a great talent indeed!

Seraph + Splendor

Michelle said...

GORGEOUS, Rima!

I really love this one the best... so far.

Unknown said...

I have just discovered your amazing artworks through Etsy and I must say that I may be in love. The colors and imaginative designs led me scanning through your blog like a hound after a new scent! Absolutely amazing! I look forward to regular perusing of your new works. ^__^

Giallo Antico said...

probably this is your most magnificent work for me so far. I really like your color here. :)

Swati Prakash said...

A fabulous piece of art ...you are indeed divinely talented and the three cards are so good you must paint an entire deck and let us know when its published. Blessed Be
(*)

Baxter Clare Trautman said...

I'm not sure how I stumbled upon your site (sight, maybe better word) but I adore it. I visit often, feeling each time like I have fallen down a tunnel, made by an industrious ground-dwelling animal, and into the busy but hidden world of the fairy beings. I am not a woman of vision and I thank you so much for helping me to see this otherly realm. And I'm commenting at this post because like all the above I would so love to see you make a tarot deck. Cheers - Baxter Clare Trautman