9 of Swords

[egypturnash]

Despair, cruelty, lying, subtle dishonesty. Yet another unpleasant card from the high end of the Swords.

I've been working on this one for a while; it was in progress when I had to drop everything to go down to New Orleans. I fooled with it in fits and starts over this very complicated week.

The swords-in-word-balloons was a sudden bit of inspiration that let me finish it. I didn't know what to do with the last couple of swords; I tried hanging them on a suggested wall but it wasn't working.

Edit: Less colors, slight composition/contrast tweak. Still not spectacular but much better. Less is, quite often, more.

Print available on Artspots.

Comments

[ceruleanst.livejournal.com]

Otherwise perilous though it may be, I would enjoy this world in which about a third of all the people are naga and nobody seems to mind. I had a long look at this card about betrayal, having every other possible thought about it including the wordplay of "s-words"*, before even realizing that (a) the serpent might be intended as a symbol of perfidy here, and (b) it still might not be. To acknowledge the former almost feels like racism, knowing all the cheerful snakey people on the other cards.

*snugglebunnies

[athelind.livejournal.com]

It took me a while to find the ninth sword, until I finally realized it was slung behind the standing person's back. That works well with the theme of the card.

As for the serpent as the symbol of deception... honestly, her expression and demeanor is so sympathetic and concerned that I could easily interpret this image as the REMOVAL of the Knife of Cruel Despair from the bloodless wound it leaves.

[eriscontrol.livejournal.com]

I like the swords in word balloons here. What was the source of this inspiration?

Also, would you happen to still have a copy of the original? I'd like to see it for comparison. Always curious. :)

[amygdalate.livejournal.com]

I was gonna be a noodge about the contrast, but yes, this is much much better. <3