The Bounded Infinite

Pencils for the next Tarot card

(Pencil on Paper)

A number of years ago (6 now? …man… 7?), I had the privilege to work on a Tarot deck that was completed in memoriam for another tattoo artist, Mo Richard, who had started a deck but had died before its completion. Mo had planned the multi-stabber deck far ahead of time, so the organizers of the deck sent out guidelines along with our card assignments, to match our work to Mo’s original vision.

My card was the Four of Swords. I had to incorporate a chrysalis into my image, but I didn’t know enough about Tarot then to know why. I completed my card shortly after my sister died, and I know that because I do not remember completing the card at all. I only know that one of the organizers, Joe Rheault, very patiently asked for my image, which was late in arriving. Bless Joe for his kindness; I think about it often. I doubt he even knew that my sister had just died, he’s just a really great goddamn human.

Now that I’m working on my own deck, and I’ve made it to the fours, it seems necessary to include the chrysalis again. It was perfect the first time (thanks to Mo, not me), and seems everlastingly fitting.