Queen of Swords from Ukiyoe Tarot

It was a snowy Sunday and lucky to me I was stuck in my over-heated studio. 

I did not dare to adventure to go outside and finished this Queen of Swords. 

The Queen of Swords is richly dressed. Every motif on the layers of her robe reflects that of her husband, the king of swords. Her outer kimono is decorated with peonies which are the the symbol for nobility and value. In full bloom, peony symbolizes peace and it is also used as a metaphor for female beauty and reproduction. 

The Queen of Swords holds a sword, but it is sheathed, denoting that her power is not temporal, but rather intellectual. She is quick-witted and capable. Her unrestrained hair suggests an original way of thinking. 

Queen of Pentacles...from Ukiyoe Tarot

Wish happy holidays and prosperous 2011!

Recently I finished "Queen of Pentacles" from Ukiyoe Tarot.
I just loved to paint this dignified queen with eyes of phoenix.
She wouldn't take 'No' for answer but values high honesty and loyalty in character.

In lavish costume, the queen of pentacles holds the sign of her prosperity. Folding fans, a favorite accessory of the aristocracy, decorate her outer kimono and the motif of stream with scattered maple leaves covers the bottom of her inner kimono. Everything around her-her clothes, the elaborate carpet, and the handsome screen with its lacquered frame-denotes a love of luxury and beauty.

The fashionableness of her dress indicates that the queen of pentacles is conscious of the impression that she makes on others. She is graceful and dignified. Though she likes to surround herself with opulence she is not selfish with ehr riches and will give freely to charitable causes.  Her subjects will find in her a devoted and just ruler.

Queen of Cups...Ukiyoe Tarot..8 x 10 Original Handpainting

This is my version of Japanese Ukiyoe Art from Ukiyoe Tarot Deck.
The Queen of Cups is dressed in an elegant, refined style. The embroidered design of her kimono reflects the fashion of late 17th century Japan, when motifs were used on only part of the fabric. The layers of her kimono are subtle combinations of color-pink bordering lavender-in a style that had passed before the age of ukiyoe. Her sash is woven using ukimon-ori, or "floating design weave."
Behind the queen of cups, a screen is painted with delicate scenes of spring.
The Queen of Cups offers the cup of hospitality to palace visitors. She is a practical and capable person, and though she loves to dream, she is able to apply her aspirations to reality.

My Favorite Things~

I like to wear odd, meaningful and smybolic accessories.
Here's my favorite collection.

Spider
Spider is an ancient symbol of mystery, power and growth.
It represents the enigma of the web, which weaves in and out of itself. Our minds are similar. We reshape and recreate our thoughts continuously.

Serpent
The snake is coiling in a figure eight-the symbol of infinity- around the huge emerald green crystal.
Most earth-centered or pagan cultures worshipped the serpent. It represents rebirth (because of its molting), protection against evil, either male of female sexuality, rain and fertility, a mediator between the physical and spiritual world....
It also represents female energy or lifeforce in goddess worship, sometimes linked to the eastern Kundalini force or a supposed "goddess within."

Rainbow Frog
Frog is symbol of fertility, happiness and good-luck to many cultures. The Romans linked it to Aphrodite, the Egyptian to the shape-shifting goddess Heket who would take the form of a frog.
To the Chinese, it symbolized the moon,'the lunar, yin principle' bringing healing and prosperity.
Since frogs need watery places, their image was often used in occult rain charms.

Taurus Goddess of Marriage

Taurus Goddess of Marriage (April 20 - May 20)
Taurus is the sign of property and money. Its natives put a high regard on collecting possessions and are known to cling to what is theirs. Venus, Romam goddess of beauty and the arts, pleasure, emotions, is the ruling planet. In astrology, Venus's influence inlines toward a love of luxury and exceptional creative ability.

I painted this Art Box featuring Taurus as a goddess of marriage.

"The cup of Bauchus" is the title of this painting inside of the box and "Poppy" is the title of the painting on the back of the lid. I painted this Art Box with symbols represent love and luxury to celebrate marriage.

"Yin and Yang"... I painted on the bottom.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)
Keyword : I HAVE
Lucky Day : Friday
Magical Birthstone : Emerald
Special Flowers : Violet and Poppy
Taurus is quiet, affectionate, patient, stable, determined and practical, stubborn, and resistant to change.

Sagittarius...Goddess Diana with Silver Bow

 Sagittarius is energetic, ambitious, generous, freedom-loving, and  a seeker of challenge,  open to new ideas and exploration. I painted Sagittarius featuring the goddess Diana with a qucik silver bow. It's my version of the great artist Gauguin, Tahitian Beauty.

Sagittarius is the sign of philosophy, higher learning, and broad concepts. Its natives are happiest discovering  new ideas, exploring distant places, and not getting tied down with personal commitments. Temperance, the daughter of reconcilers is the title of this painting.

Sagittarius (Nov 22 - Dec 21)
Symbol : The  Archer, representing directness, high airms, a love of outdoor activity and the chase.
Keyword : I SEE
Lucky Day : Thursday
Magical Birthstone : Turquoise
Special Color : Purple
Polarity : Gemini

Dreamy Pisces (Feb 19 - Mar 20)

Pisces is the sign of dreams and mysticism. Its natives trust their intuions and feelings and tend to seek more spiritual values in life. Pisces is receptive, intuitive and emotional, imaginative, romantic, impressionable and mystical, adaptable, and very changeable. This is my version of Pisces, a sleeping beauty, of a great artist Matisse.

She is dreaming things romantic and unrealistic. She absorbs impressions, images, and emotions from everything around her, and then filters them through her rose-colored view of how she would like things to be. This is my painting 'a white cat in the magical room'.  On the table the four magical objects, Pentacle, Sword, Wand and Cup, are laid and two Fishes tied to one another and swiming in opposite directions in the vessel at the window.

Pisecs
Element : Water
Ruling Planet : Neptune, ancient god of the sea. In astrology, Neptune is the planet of illusion, glamour, mystery, deception.
Glyph : Two Fishes tied to one another and swimming in opposite directions.
Keyword : I believe.
Polarity : Virgo
Lucky Day : Friday
Magic Birthstone : Aquamarine