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moonvoiceStill filling the gaps! I have more to go with the Iconics deck than I thought (whoops) though not much more!
I ended up choosing the Domestic Silk Moth over the Luna Moth, because I thought out of the two, silk has literally contributed to the rise of so many trade routes (and murder and espionage and a whole bunch of other stuff). Reading about how domestic silk moths are actually treated (and valued), even though I was aware of some of the aspects of their life cycle, made me think this will be a pretty profound animal teacher to have in the Iconics deck. I made an immediate and lasting trance connection with domestic silk moth which has lingered since the concept sketch and has pushed me forwards. Her lessons swim around my head, in some strange unearthly shadowy place of mourning and celebration, grief and loss and joy.
I was very on the fence about Great White Shark. Is that truly an icon? Is it found in flags or crests around the world? But researching deeper into Oceania and Pacific Island mythologies revealed that yes, actually, it IS an icon in many cultures. I knew it was significant in mythologies, but that hasn't quite been enough for the Icons deck, where I've had quite strict rules around its global significance. I've wanted to represent a wide range of countries as well. In only 40 cards. That's quite a limit.
The Flame Bowerbird is for the Unusuals deck. That colouring, goodness, can't wait!
Domestic Silk Moth // Bombyx mori
Great White Shark // Carcharodon carcharias
Flame Bowerbird // Sericulus ardens
I ended up choosing the Domestic Silk Moth over the Luna Moth, because I thought out of the two, silk has literally contributed to the rise of so many trade routes (and murder and espionage and a whole bunch of other stuff). Reading about how domestic silk moths are actually treated (and valued), even though I was aware of some of the aspects of their life cycle, made me think this will be a pretty profound animal teacher to have in the Iconics deck. I made an immediate and lasting trance connection with domestic silk moth which has lingered since the concept sketch and has pushed me forwards. Her lessons swim around my head, in some strange unearthly shadowy place of mourning and celebration, grief and loss and joy.
I was very on the fence about Great White Shark. Is that truly an icon? Is it found in flags or crests around the world? But researching deeper into Oceania and Pacific Island mythologies revealed that yes, actually, it IS an icon in many cultures. I knew it was significant in mythologies, but that hasn't quite been enough for the Icons deck, where I've had quite strict rules around its global significance. I've wanted to represent a wide range of countries as well. In only 40 cards. That's quite a limit.
The Flame Bowerbird is for the Unusuals deck. That colouring, goodness, can't wait!
Domestic Silk Moth // Bombyx mori
Great White Shark // Carcharodon carcharias
Flame Bowerbird // Sericulus ardens
no subject
Date: 2020-05-25 04:36 pm (UTC)The bowerbird is going to be so gorgeous.
Edit: I got thinking about Great White.
On the one hand, I like your reasoning above and am glad you decided to include it. Its importance is hard to see from my (mountainous, landlocked, US-centric) point of view... but also? Most of what we get here is either Jaws or Shark Week.
It's good to have it in there, because there's more to it than either of those.
no subject
Date: 2020-05-26 10:53 am (UTC)Himalayan Monal! The one illustration I can't bring myself to sell. :D Honestly there's so many animals I'm so eager to share, but lol, SO MANY I'VE MISSED dslkajfdsf they'll all get their own deck/s eventually. :D
Yeah, I mean there will definitely be elements of Shark as a shadow totem, I think it'll be interesting contrasting like, how it's viewed in say America vs. the Pacific Islands. Shark has always brought Chthonic elements though when I've worked with them. I've actually written a Shark totem essay before (since the Great White was also slated to be in the separate Australian Animal Oracle Deck), but it'll be fun to draw/colour one again! :D
no subject
Date: 2020-05-26 05:05 pm (UTC)It's so gorgeous. :v I'm glad you have one that is all yours.
That's going to be fascinating - the deep ocean honestly scares the bejeebus out of me, so studying/meditating on your totem illustrations for deep sea creatures seems like a beneficial, if possibly terrifying, exercise.
I think I remember that essay. I read a lot of those, and they were insightful and fascinating.
no subject
Date: 2020-05-26 01:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2020-05-26 01:51 pm (UTC)Peaceable predator. Inspiring observation and understanding. Honing the senses. The ceaseless journey-maker. Power and authority. Tendency towards workaholicism. Protection in all worlds. The predatory subconscious. Resistance to change.
Nothing in there about death or destruction or blood or awfulness. I might add a bit in there about conscious work with subconscious symbols, but otherwise yeah, love sharks they're fantastic.
no subject
Date: 2020-05-30 01:53 am (UTC)I love the energy in the white shark painting, the way the swirls connected to it are kind of ...sharp? ...dynamic? I'm sorry, I'm very bad at being specific about visual impressions ^-^'' But it has a great vibe!
And yes, I can't wait to see the bowerbird in full colour!