The Tarot of Bones: A Natural History Themed Deck

LupaGreenwolf

Tarot of Bones Card Back Assemblage: http://www.thetarotofbones.com/otw-portfolio/card-back/

So like everyone else, I thought I was done with Tarot of Bones assemblages at the end of last year. Apparently not.

I’ve spent the past few weeks designing and laying out the final card files using the photos of the assemblages and background images (since the assemblages are not all at the same aspect ratio as the final cards). During the layout process, I began to feel more and more like I wanted the card back to also be an assemblage. It’s not that the illustration that I originally commissioned from Erin “Narumi” Prince of Lotus Lion wasn’t absolutely gorgeous; just the opposite!

But as the deck’s final appearance began to take form in my mind, I realized that I wanted all of the art to be assemblages, even the back. So over the past several days I created one final assemblage that I felt summed up the spirit of the deck.

I started with a wooden box–but not just any wooden box. It’s one of my many antique shop finds, an old smoked salmon box from before they were printed with Salish-style salmon designs. It had seen better days–the lid was coming off and was warped, the paint was faded and distressed. It was perfect.

It initially became involved in the Tarot of Bones when during the photography session back in April Sandra Buskirk took photos of various items–leather, feathers, wood and more–that I could use for the card backgrounds later on. The lid of this box was one of them, and ended up being one of my more commonly used textures during the layout process.

Later on, as I was casting about for the proper backboard for the card back assemblage, I came across the box again in my supply room. It was just about the size I wanted, and the color and texture were appropriate. So I brought it out, fixed the lid’s hinges, and began designing the assemblage.

I made sure all five sorts of bone represented in the Tarot of Bones–skulls, ribs, long bones, vertebrae, and jaws (teeth)–were also present in the assemblage. I also added in various natural materials that I’d used in other assemblages, from stones to moss to one very lovely scallop shell. While it thematically matches the other assemblages, unlike the others there will be no text on the card back, making it easier to distinguish front from back.

So I think now I can officially (again) say that all of the Tarot of Bones assemblages are complete! I’ll be taking it with me to visit my photographer in Seattle on Friday along with the last few assemblages that need their photos redone, and hopefully by early next week all the layout will be complete and I can start prepping the files to send them to the printer.
 

LupaGreenwolf

The Tarot of Bones card layout is done!

Friday I went to Seattle to have the last of the photos taken. Last night I received the last few photos of Tarot of Bones assemblages, and I stayed up much later than I should have completing the layout on the final cards! Woohoo!

So now what? I still want to go over the cards one more time--check for any errors and minor adjustments, that sort of thing. Then I'll resave them in .psd format--I've been working with .xcf files in GIMP 2.0 since you can keep editing them even after you've closed and reopened them. After that, the files will go to the printer and then it's just a matter of waiting. In the meantime I'll be working on the perks from both IndieGoGo campaigns so I can get everything shipped out once the decks and books both arrive.

This is so exciting!
 

LupaGreenwolf

....and the files are sent!

I just got done sending the Tarot of Bones deck files to the printer!!! Woohoo!!!! This includes all 79 cards (Happy Squirrel included), card back and tuck box!

So now I wait for them to approve the files and do digital proofing. They said "8-12 weeks after digital proofing" for me to have the cards in my hot little hands. I asked whether they think I could have them by PantheaCon, since that's the first big pagan event I'll be at after I estimated the cards' arrival, so I'll see what they think of that deadline. Fingers, toes and eyes crossed!

I'm also going to ask for a physical proof once they've done the digital proof--can't be too careful! So worse comes to worst, I'll at least have the proof to show off, with the real deal not too far behind.

So now....I wait. And also design the final book cover. And update the images in the interior of the book with pictures of the actual cards instead of placeholders. And get the prints for IndieGoGo perks off to the printers. And finish making the leather pouches also reserved as perks. And other perks. Perks. Did I mention perks? Oh, and somewhere in all that I'll be launching preorders (note: preordered decks/books will be shipped AFTER I get all the IndieGoGo packages shipped out.)

Still, I've been waiting for this day for many months, and it's THIS MUCH CLOSER to being real!!!!
 

LupaGreenwolf

Just a real quick update--the printer was REALLY fast and sent the digital proofs to me on Thursday. I looked them over--they're lovely, but I requested a physical proof as well, just to be completely sure I'm happy with the cards. I should have that in early November, and once I've approved everything they can get going on printing the final decks!

Yes, I will post a few pics of the physical proofs (assuming they don't look absolutely terrible, which I highly doubt will happen.) And once I've approved the physical proofs I'm going to open up general preorders for the deck and book. Those preorders will ship AFTER the 300+ IndieGoGo orders have shipped out, but I'm planning to kidnap friends to help me with packing and shipping orders so we should be able to get that done pretty quickly.

Anyway, will keep ya posted as things continue!
 

RiverRunsDeep

I've been following your updates with much interest. Very excited to hear that things are moving right along. I missed out on the IndieGoGo campaign, but I look forward to preordering. The arrangements you chose for the card images are simply amazing, basic and primitive, yet inspiring depth for reading purposes.
 

LupaGreenwolf

RiverRunsDeep--Thank you so much!!! I hope you like the final deck.
 

LupaGreenwolf

Hey, all! Exciting news here! The printed proofs for the Tarot of Bones just arrived, and you can see photos at http://www.thetarotofbones.com/2016/11/tarot-of-bones-preorders-are-available/

Despite the poor lighting in the photos, I can tell you that they look AWESOME! This means I’ve given the printer the go-ahead to print the deck, and I can upload the book files to CreateSpace.

It also means that preorders are officially open!!! The deck, and both paperback book and ebook, are all available at http://www.thetarotofbones.com/shop . I do have both U.S. and international shipping options available; however, for the moment the only international option is a flat rate priority padded envelope. Once I get the deck and book and can get a final package weight and dimensions, I will be able to customize shipping options for closer countries like Canada who may have lower, non-priority rates.

I also need to mention again that preorders will be shipped AFTER I’ve shipped the several hundred orders from the 2015 and 2016 IndieGoGo campaigns. I am not 100% sure when the decks will arrive here; likely in late January to early February. So if you preorder, your package may not arrive until early March, but I will endeavor to get it out as soon as I possibly can. I’ve already asked a few friends to help me with the shipping process and get everything done more quickly, and as always I will keep you all posted. Thank you
 

Metafizzypop

Nicely done deck. I really hadn't taken a good look at it till now. I'm wondering though about the size of the cards. I have a hunch that they're on the large side, but I can't tell for sure. Can anyone tell me what the dimensions of the cards are? What do they measure?
 

LupaGreenwolf

Thank you! They're 2.75" x 4.75" on 300 gsm card stock. Let me know if you have any other questions :)
 

Metafizzypop

Hi there, and thanks for your reply. That's a good size for a deck of cards. And such a creative deck.

Oh dear, temptation, temptation.......