Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Shadowscapes Tarot Major Arcana and Sketchbook

A little something that I had been working on the side with a few months ago (before convention-print-matting temporarily took over my life). The border drawings I did earlier this year were a bit of a sneak peak to this project. I was being secretive about it before because I wasn't quite sure if I'd manage to get it all pulled together. But the proof arrived from my printer (after yet another song and dance number fiasco with FedEx *growl*) yesterday and I'm quite happy with how it looks. I went with an offset printer (instead of digital on demand) for this because it's in full color and hardback.

Hardcover with dust jacket, 96 pages, full color, 8x11 inches. Each of the 22 trump cards, along with text to accompany the images and ink illustrations created especially for this book. Followed by sketches of the development of each piece and insights into the symbols depicted, inspirations, and the lore behind them.

I'm expecting the book to be available in about 6 weeks. This is a Shadowscapes exclusive, not available from anywhere else, and a nice companion to the deck that Llewellyn will be releasing next year. Which by the way they have started production on at last yay! I'll be sure to update when I hear more news about the official release date. Oh, another spot of good news on the deck though - Llewellyn has heard all the pleas (most especially from those at the Aeclectic Tarot forums, but I also conveyed the many comments regarding the issue that I got in emails) and will be going with absolute minimum borders for the cards. Only enough for the name of the card at the bottom was what I was told.

I'll start taking pre-orders for this book on the site in a couple of weeks. Price is still to be determined.

Here's a preview of a bit of it!










(Thanks Yeechi and John for proof-reading!)

16 comments:

  1. looks FABULOUS !!! Congrats on finding a printer to give you what you wanted and for the victory with the acutal cards :D

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  2. Oh man...I WANT! This looks absolutely gorgeous, Stephanie:) I will await pre-orders with baited breath!

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  3. Wow !! Looks gorgeous ! I'm impatient to see the price, I want this book :)) I love your illustrations !

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  4. Oh, most excellent! *bookmarks to link tomorrow on blog*

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  5. eek! Must have! I wish I wasn't unemployed so I could order it. Are you going to limit the printing, or will you sell it continually over the next few years?

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  6. Well it is limited, but it will probably last for a while.

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  7. I am so excited about this book. You have so many wonderful goodies coming out in the near future. Thank you, thank you!! Made my day. :)

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  8. Can't wait for the book and the deck! Cheers and best wishes, Jean Marie

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  9. Its just gorgeous, must have! I had been hoping a worthy book of the cards would be made, any chance of a minors book? :D
    I love how you lay out your books, they're pure eye candy!

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  10. BTW, is the lovely purple blue circular design whats going to be on the backs of the cards? Just curious ;)

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  11. Yes Lori, that is the card back design. As for the minors, I'll have to see about recouping my costs on this one first, as it's self published! But I would definitely like to do something similar with the minors eventually.

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  12. OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG!!

    ::ahem:: Excuse me while I regain my composure...

    I am delighted, thrilled, ecstatic and a whole lot of other words for "bloody happy" about this :D I am salivating at the thought of finally holding your tarot in my hands and in large format to boot, with artist's notes... I need to sit down.

    No, really, I _am_ this excited. My copy of "Dreamscapes" could use a break :)

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  13. Haha, well this should hold you over then until the next Dreamscapes comes out next year!

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  14. Just joined the mailing lists. I was linked to one of your sketches on deviant art by a friend and when I found out you were doing a tarot deck, I knew immediately that I was going to buy it, no matter how long I had to wait! Anyway, I'm very excited about the book and as soon as I've finished saving up for my holiday, I'll be ordering a copy. :)

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  15. It's so such a beautiful work...

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