An inspirational ‘Pixie’

Today I’ve been continuing my research, in preparation for writing my Dissertation Proposal.  As part of that process, I’ve been looking for an inspiring artist whose work relates to my own in some way….

As you know (if you’ve been reading my blog) my current chosen theme is ‘The Goddess’ by which I mean the eternal Divine Feminine being. As a Pagan, the Goddess is dear to my heart and as an artist, I am fascinated by artists who manage to portray the supernatural, mystical and ethereal.  I’ve been researching this topic ‘The Goddess’ for the past year now and working with the concept too in my studio.  Trying out different processes, experimenting and reflecting, trying to capture that elusive ‘something’ that seems forever out of reach. 

I recently discovered the work of Marija Gimbutas and have been reading her brilliant work ‘The Language of the Goddess’, in this book she explains the meaning of the symbols found on the Paleolithic Venus Figurines, which I believe to be the earliest representations of the Goddess in Art.

One of Nina Paley’s animated ‘Dancing Goddesses’ (there’s a link to her work earlier in my blog btw)

I was excited to read her book because I’m very interest in symbolism and semiotics and after reading it I felt inspired to look for other artists who have used symbols (particularly magical symbols) in their artworks…. 

Which led me to Pamela Colman Smith, an artist I had heard off but didn’t really know much about until today.  The reason I had heard of her is she was the artist that illustrated the Rider-Waite Tarot Pack and as a teacher of Tarot this is the pack I recommend for beginners at the start of each course.  The illustrations on the cards make it easy for the beginner to grasp the meaning of each card and remember them.  The symbolism is consistent, straightforward and (like any good symbol) speaks straight to the subconscious of the reader.   

Here is Pamela Colman Smith (or Pixie as she was known to her friends)…  I think one look at this photo and it is easy to see how she got that nickname!  what a delightful twinkle she has in her eyes, I bet she was a fun person to know. 

So far, I’ve decided that my Dissertation is going to involve the themes of Feminism and Semiotics and this artist Pamela Colman Smith (or Pixie to her friends) fits the bill perfectly!

Pamela was born in 1878, an Aquarian who was true to her zodiac sign. Aquarius is known for having a bright, inquisitive mind and an independent spirit, these things were certainly true for Pamela. 

She was the artist who Arthur Edward Waite Tarot employed to illustrate the ‘Rider-Waite’ Tarot in 1909.  She was twenty-eight at the time and completed this task within a year (astrologers please note – she must have been having her Saturn return at this time!).  This was no small task as a Tarot pack comprises 78 cards.  The 22 major cards relate to the major events in our lives, the 56 minor cards deal with more mundane events.  Each card is different and Pamela managed to convey the meaning of each card brilliantly.   

The thought of having to create a resolved piece of work, in a consistent style – more than one a week – for a whole year like this frankly fills me with horror!   Pamela was also a supporter of the Suffragette movement and involved in the world of theatre and design.  She was in many ways years ahead of her time. 

What is of particular interest to me as an artist, is how well she has used symbolism in the pack.  Her use of colours and symbolism fits in neatly with the teachings of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (of which she was a member at the time).  I am interested in incorporating more symbolism in my own work over the next year and the books of Marija and Pamela are full of inspirational material to get me started!   

#RiderWaite #MarijaGimbutas #Dissertation #Pixie #NinaPaley #DancingGoddessGIF #Proposal #InspiringArtist #Tarot #PamelaColmanSmith