Behind the Scenes with The Venetian Tarot

I recently received a copy of The Venetian Tarot. It is stunning to say the least. With gorgeous, haunting images that stick to the traditional Rider Waite Smith format, all tarot readers will fall in love with this beauty.

It’s not only lovely to look at but also built to last. The deck is made on sturdy paper with gilded edges that will last through even the most vigorous shuffle and the keepsake box will protect the contents for years. A small companion book describes the concept behind the deck as well as a few sample spreads and suggested interpretations for each card. I have to say: I’m hella impressed and have been enjoying working with The Venetian Tarot.

Of course, I always get curious about the creative process behind the deck. I reached out to artist Eugene Vitiniski to get a glimpse on how the idea behind the deck came about and how he brought this stunner to life. Check it out:

Q: Where do you get your inspiration?

Eugene: I don’t really have to look for any particular inspiration. Just seeing the world around me, visiting museums is enough to trigger it.

Q: Why the Venetian Tarot? What drew you to this?

Eugene: First of all, Venice means a lot to me inasmuch as its tradition and culture are concerned. Secondly, the mystery of the carnival with its masks hiding real characters, is closely related to Tarot and its allegorical ambiguity, first concealing and then revealing its meaning.

Q: In general, how long does it take you to produce a tarot card image?

Eugene: The most difficult is the conceiving of the very idea of the card and the positioning of the characters on it. The process of drawing itself doesn’t take long, sometimes a day or two, a week or longer, but the same is true of any other artistic effort.

Q: What would you like tarot readers to know about your deck?

Eugene: I would like Tarot readers, unburdened by any previous knowledge, to decipher and interpret the drama unfolding in front of them, since each card of the deck has a particular story to tell.

Q: What other things are you up to (tarot and non-tarot)?

Eugene: I have been cinema and theatre set designer for years . Now I paint, illustrate books and magazines, moreover, I love graphic design.