Tag Archives: playing cards

Arizona Ante – 56 Playful Cards Celebrating the Wonders and Beauty of Arizona

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This series is a creative evolution. Who ever thought wandering European Flea Markets during our time living overseas would lead me to create a series of 56 mixed media playing cards celebrating the things we love about Arizona?

While exploring the flea markets in 2014, I saw so many different card styles and suits. I was so curious about how Americans ended up with Spades, Hearts, Clubs and Diamonds. You’ve seen them and played with them hundreds of times. But have you ever contemplated the history or meaning behind the suits on a deck of cards? I did a little research. I didn’t expect to be intrigued with my findings.  But they have inspired 62 paintings…so far.

The oldest suit designs seem to be Muslim. These suits were coins, cups, swords and polo sticks. As cards evolved, different cultures created their own suits and royalty face cards. Germany used leaves, hearts, hawk bells and acorns. In present day Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy, suits of swords, cups, coins, and batons are still used. Today’s design, the hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds, are a French design from the 15th century. These designs were flat, stenciled silhouettes, which were easily mass produced, and thus made their way to America. Each suit represents a social class. Spades are nobility. Hearts are clergy. Diamonds are merchants. Clubs are peasants.

Myth states that the four suits represent the four seasons, and that the 52 cards represent the 52 weeks of the year. I discovered that each individual suit has many themes:

Hearts represent spring, home, emotions, love, childhood, vulnerability, art, poetry, music, water and Karma. Clubs represent summer, education, mind, intellect, musing, young, irresponsibility, literature, air and drama. Diamonds represent fall, career, security, values, judgement, adults, responsibility, entertainment, fire, and material goods. Spades represent winter, environment, wisdom, health, acceptance, old age, transformation, scripture, earth, workaholics, old souls and warriors.

This Arizona Ante began in 2018 after we returned to Tucson from many years away. I was so happy to be back. There is something special about the Grand Canyon State. People are friendly, the weather is wonderful, the skies are almost always blue. The landscapes of Arizona – with exciting animal inhabitants and vegetation – are intriguing. Arizona is a playground for hikers, bikers, golfers, fishers, cowboys, foodies and artists. All of these, and more, are represented in this playing card series. The jokers celebrate Arizona’s three outstanding state universities. Arizona is a place to live, learn, love and celebrate.

I hope you will join me on February 3, 2024 at the historic Steinfeld Warehouse Gallery for this celebration. Many thanks to the following sponsors of the Arizona Ante!

Supported in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts which receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Raising the Southwest Stakes

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Several years ago, I created large scale playing cards on canvas. Two were portraits depicting me and my husband. I also created a four seasons series. What had intrigued me was the meaning behind the suites of a deck of cards.

Using these representations, I am creating face cards based on the history and diverse cultures and interests in Arizona, although they will connect with folks outside of our state, as well. Each card is researched and thoughtfully pieced together. Creating these cards has been enormously entertaining, especially at a time when we could all use a distraction or a chuckle.

Myth states that the four suits represent the four seasons, and that the 52 cards represent the 52 weeks of the year. I discovered that each individual suit has many themes.

Hearts represent spring, home, hearts, emotions, love, childhood, vulnerability, art, poetry music, water and Karma. Clubs represent summer, education, mind, intellect, musing, young, irresponsibility, literature, air and drama. Diamonds represent fall, career, security, values, judgement, adult, responsibility, entertainment, fire, and material goods. Spades represent winter, environment, wisdom, health, acceptance, old age, transformation, scripture, earth, workaholic, old souls and warriors.

The options are endless and the series will continue to grow weekly with new characters: a pilot (in honor of the many pilots who we have met with and served with in Arizona), biker (El Tour de Tucson), tennis player, a pickleballer (to honor Jalapeńo, who introduced me to this fun sport!), musician, and artist, a fisher, a chef, and of course, we will need Aces for Wilbur the Wildcat, Sparky – Forks Up, and a Northern AZ Lumberjack.

I have prints made of each piece. The background colors are all similar. They are full sized canvas or paper (12″ x 16″) and a smaller paper set (9″ x 12″) . My hopeful gamble is that people will want to piece together their own Full House, Black Jack, Straight or Flush, or even a single card, as a entertaining conversation piece for their wall or as a gift for someone special.

From August 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021, you can find these pieces and more of my work at the Southern Arizona Arts Guild Gallery, located at the lovely La Encantada Mall, 2905 E Skyline Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718.