Ogham Deck « The Witch of Forest Grove

Archive for the 'Ogham Deck' Category

Ash Ogham Card Progress

It’s been a long time since I posted any images for the Ogham Deck. Life and illness always seem to get in the way of sitting down with my paper, inks, and watercolours. I’ve finished the black and white version of the Ash card to be published in the deck’s accompanying book by Judith Crow. Next up I’ll be painting the colour version which may end up looking quite different than the black and white version as I have plans to cover Odin’s body in runic tattoos and add touches of silver and gold for a rich look.

I’ve also almost finished the Hawthorn card in pencil and should have some images of it to share in the near future. Just a few more tweaks are needed for the deck’s website and then I will launch it. I still can’t quite believe that I’m part of creating a divination deck. Maybe it will actually sink in when I’ve finished!

Witchcraft in Ink

Published November 24, 2010 Artwork , News , Ogham Deck , Witchcraft & Magic 3 Comments
Tags: drawing, Horned God, illustration, knotwork, ogham, painting, stang

I’ve been busy carving, but I’ve also been busy working on illustrations for the Ogham deck and other projects. Above is a piece I created as the header for the ogham deck’s website which I hope to launch soon. It’s inspired by the knotwork borders in the Book of Kells. Below is an illustration and verse I submitted to the Horned God Devotional being put together by Rick over at Of Oak & Ivy. I’ve also opened up a print shop so you can purchase any and all of my illustrations and pick your own type of paper, frame, and colour of mat – check out my gallery.

Rowan Ogham Card

Published July 2, 2010 Artwork , Ogham Deck 10 Comments
Tags: divination, illustration, luis, ogam, ogham, rowan, tree

Watercolour and archival ink
26 x 36 cm

One down, twenty-four more to go! I estimate the entire deck could take 40-50 days total to complete. Each illustration takes almost two days to complete. To quote the lovely Judith (who I am designing this deck for), here is the meaning of the Rowan card:

“In a reading, the message of this card is positive and not negative. It does not tell us that there are things threatening us from outside because we all know already that the world can be a dangerous place. Instead it reminds us that we are already protected and to employ our protections without fear. The card reversed tells us much the same thing, that we should use common sense to overcome what threatens us.” (Click here for the full meaning)

Rowan – Ogham Card Progress

Published February 15, 2010 Artwork , Ogham Deck , Paganism 13 Comments
Tags: divination, illustration, ogam, ogham, rowan

(click on images to enlarge)

I’ve been working on the Rowan card for the Ogham deck when I’ve had time – and I’ve needed a lot of it! The leaves alone took about six hours to finish… I’m really happy with the results so far. I want the cards to be useful for tree identification as well, so for the card frames I’m trying to stay as true to the actual tree as is possible with illustration. For this card, the left tree has ripened Rowan berries and the tree on the right is in spring flower. Protective charms hang down from the branches representing Rowan’s protective and magical powers.

There is still some work to be done on the Adder snake and the calligraphy for the card title, but then I am free to fill in the illustration with watercolours! I love watercolours, they are possibly my favourite medium.

So Begins the Ogham Deck

Published January 24, 2010 Artwork , Ogham Deck , Paganism , Witchcraft & Magic 9 Comments
Tags: cards, deck, divination, ogam, ogham, Paganism, painting, watercolour

Many years ago a lovely wise woman and professional Ogham diviner Judith Crow created a system of tree Ogham divination and commissioned an artist to create the cards for it which can be found here: Green Wise Woman Ogham

The cards were never published, just used for her own professional readings. Recently she has realized her system has since developed over time and the original cards no longer match the system as it has evolved. While she is re-writing and fleshing out the original companion book, I am working on new artwork for each card using archival inks and lovely Windsor & Newton watercolours. Snobby artist yes I am! First, each card will be drawn in pencil, then finished with black ink for the book illustrations. Then I will fill in the illustrations with watercolours for the actual cards. My wonderful artsy friend took me to Opus at Granville Island yesterday (after which we consumed copious amounts of Strongbow), to recommend which supplies to get for what I’m planning so now I’m all stocked up and ready to get started!

We hope to publish the deck and book so anyone can use it. I think the two of us are a good blend for this deck, Judith the brainy researcher and historian, and me the right-brained artist! Once the paintings are coming along I will create a website for the deck so others can view it’s progress and know when it’s finished and available.

The Witch of Forest Grove

Archive for the 'Ogham Deck' Category

Ash Ogham Card Progress

Witchcraft in Ink

Rowan Ogham Card

Rowan – Ogham Card Progress

So Begins the Ogham Deck

The Reading Queue

Browse the Archives

Categories

Email Subscription

RSS Feeds

Follow “The Witch of Forest Grove”