Tarot cards have been used for centuries to gain insight into the past, present and future as well as spiritual and psychological aspects of life. The “magic” of the tarot comes from the rich symbolism of the cards.
Local artist Ann Elizabeth Scott explores “Shades of Magic” in her new gallery at Blakely Hall throughout October. Symbolism from the tarot cards can be found in her art in the form of suns, moons, owls, snakes, unicorns and crows.
Scott said the concept for the gallery was born about a year ago when various friends asked her to craft a tarot-themed series. She described her artistic style as magic realism with a focus on fantasy. Her art consistently includes themes and subjects related to mythology, astrology, alchemy and hermetic symbolism.
“I used the alchemical sun and moon imagery throughout most of the works to create a unified visual narrative,” she added. “The skull theme also recurs.”
Be sure to check out “Snow Globe Unicorn” on the wall at Blakely Hall. Scott was inspired by adversities brought on by the pandemic and tried to “capture the feeling of being trapped within the confines of the lockdowns while longing for a brighter future,” she noted.
Another one of her favorite works is “Fox Magic,” a painting inspired by her children. The painting combines her daughter’s passion for animals with a magic mushroom sculpture once gifted by her son. This piece is the “most playful” in the series, she added.
“It is my hope that viewers be made aware of the unseen realm and the spiritual aspect to life, as opposed to the materialism that saturates our culture,” she said. “On another level, I hope they will be marvelously entertained and inspired by the beauty and the strangeness.”
Scott wants observers to notice the multicultural aspects of her work, while also looking closely to find the various magical sigils throughout the paintings.
Films play a large role in the art Scott creates. In fact, several paintings in the Blakely Hall gallery are directly inspired by “The Witcher” and “Blade Runner.” Additionally, two swan paintings emerged from memories of seeing “Swan Lake” when she was young.
Scott said much of the inspiration behind her art comes from her past, primarily due to the wealth of cultural experiences shared by her creative parents.
“My earliest memories are of being read to by my father, who bought me many beautifully illustrated children’s books,” she said. “These images have remained with me my whole life and still inform my work to various degrees.”
She drew and colored constantly as a child, ultimately selling her watercolor and mixed media paintings as an undergraduate in college. After moving to Seattle in her 20s, she met some teachers at the Art Institute of Seattle, who encouraged her to paint professionally and show in galleries.
“I was introduced to oils in art school and fell in love almost immediately,” she added. “I was taught Renaissance layering techniques, which I still use today.”
Scott loves oils because of the richness of color and the translucent quality they possess. She said it’s unlike any other medium she has experienced.
Additionally, she loves the degree of control that comes with using oils. Artists can paint over the same canvas endlessly, depending on how thickly or thinly the paint is applied. She said oil paintings are quite durable and can be transported and handled with minimal damage, unlike delicate watercolors or pastels.
“The oil medium has a luminosity that speaks to me, as an artist,” she noted.
Join us at Night of Revelations!
Come meet Ann Elizabeth Scott at our first-ever Night of Revelations event at Blakely Hall on Friday, Oct. 27, from 7-9 p.m. Participate in a Tarot card reading and join other spooky activities. Come in costume…if you dare! Free to attend, courtesy of Puget Sound Energy. Adults only, please!
