The Slow Tarot by Lacey Bryant

The Slow Tarot is a 78-card tarot deck that showcases the original oil paintings of artist Lacey Bryant. This project, a labor of love spanning over six years, features a unique, full-color painting for every card, reflecting Bryant's thoughtful interpretation of traditional tarot symbols and archetypes. The deck encourages readers to engage with the cards in a deliberate, unhurried manner, mirroring the artist's own methodical creative process.

Each suit in The Slow Tarot is distinguished by a specific color border, visually linking it to its corresponding element: Wands for Fire, Cups for Water, Swords for Air, and Coins (Pentacles) for Earth. This design choice provides a subtle yet effective way to navigate the deck while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic. The first edition, a limited run, was made available exclusively through Kickstarter and included a signed and numbered certificate of authenticity, emphasizing its collectible nature.

The deck is printed on 310gsm linen paper, offering a tactile experience with a slight texture that enhances durability and ease of shuffling. It comes housed in a two-piece, full-color rigid box featuring an alternate version of 'The World' card. A dedicated guidebook, written by Lacey Bryant herself, accompanies the deck, making it accessible for beginners while offering depth for experienced readers.

This deck is ideal for art enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate original oil painting and fine art aesthetics in their tarot practice. It appeals to readers who value a thoughtful, introspective approach to tarot, as well as those who enjoy decks with a strong, consistent artistic vision. Both beginners and experienced tarot readers will find the deck accessible, especially with its dedicated guidebook and clear elemental color coding for the suits.

Lacey Bryant, a San Francisco Bay-area artist represented by Modern Eden Gallery, embarked on The Slow Tarot project in 2012, shortly after her first solo exhibition. Her lifelong love of tarot inspired her to create an original oil painting for each of the 78 cards, a process that spanned over six years and continued alongside numerous other exhibitions and residencies. The gallery partnered with Bryant to bring this extensive personal art project to a wider audience through Kickstarter, aiming to realize her dream of creating a high-quality tarot deck from her artwork.