I often take photos of flowers to use as illustration references, especially if I really like the shape the flowers create together. My camera roll is just full of photos taken of floral sprigs that I’ve singled out of bouquets, and even more photos of botanicals that I’ve taken while visiting garden centres! The alstroemeria in this illustration was referenced from a sprig that my mum got in a bouquet; I visited when we were not in lockdown of course; so the opportunity to collect reference photos can arise at anytime!
I partnered the alstroemeria with a scribbly crescent moon and I just really like how the moon cups the flowers! It reminds me to include more occult/tarot references in my work since I enjoy the symbolism so much. I often like to think about my illustrations and which tarot card the energy resembles, I’m most familiar with the Rider Waite Smith system but I recently picked up my first Thoth deck which is brimming with symbolism. I’m enjoying learning about the various tarot systems and how each can widen my tarot vocabulary.
If this illustration had to represent a card I think it could potentially represent The Moon, but I think it could better fit the archetype of The High Priestess!
What card do you think it could fit best?