What exactly is
Art and Words?
Art and Words is my official "author" website. I'm Kris Waldherr, the award-winning author, illustrator and designer of
The Lover's Path,
Sacred Animals, The Goddess Tarot and other books and products for women and children. All of the artwork, design and text used upon this website was created by me or taken from my books or projects. Hence the name for my business — Art and Words.
Kris Waldherr's background
What is your background? What inspired you to become a book artist and writer?
From the time I was a small child, I've loved art and books. When I reached college age, I was fortunate enough to receive a full scholarship to the School of Visual Arts in New York. While there, I discovered the work of the Pre-Raphaelites -- most especially the work of William Morris, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and Edward Burne-Jones. The potent combination of the archetypal and the romantic in their work awoke something in me; I determined that one day I would illustrate and write beautiful books. The work of Alan Lee, a mentor during the year I lived in England, was a huge inspiration. William Morris's work as a book designer inspired me further to becoming a book designer myself. I was lucky enough to freelance as a book designer for seven years for Penguin Books under the greatly respected art director Atha Tehon, a worthy successor to William Morris's mantle. From Atha I learned much about the delicate balance between art and words when creating a book.
Who are your artistic influences?
As I get older, I find my work to be increasingly oriented around the mythic qualities of life. I've found inspiration in the work of artists such as Joseph Cornell and Jean Cocteau -- artists who intermingle the magical with the material in a multitude of mediums and formats. Other artists who have influenced my work: Gustav Klimt and the Viennese Succession, the Italian Quattrocento -- most especially, Botticelli and his neoplatonic approach to art, whose contemplation of ideal beauty as a pathway to spiritual enlightenment rings true for me. I also gain great inspiration from the work of friends. These colleagues include writers Ellen Dreyer and Sharon Glassman, cultural anthropologist (and husband) Thomas Ross Miller, illustrators Lisa Hunt, Melanie Hope Greenburg and Julia Noonan, among others. No artist can work in a vacuum -- we all need the support of like-minded souls!
About Kris Waldherr's art, books, and publishing
How do you make your paintings? How long do they take you?
I work in two mediums: watercolor with gouache and pencil, and oil over watercolor and acrylic; both are painted on Arches 90 lb. cold-pressed finish, which I've stretched onto a piece of wood. Generally speaking, a painting can take from several days to several weeks, depending on the complexity and research involved. I usually have friends or colleagues pose for my paintings, rather than professional models. This way, the paintings has greater meaning for me.
Do you exhibit your art?
Yes, I do exhibit my art occasionally. Recently, I had a painting in an exhibition at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. I also have several pieces in the permanent collection of the Mazza Museum at Findlay College, one of the largest and most important collections of children's book art. Right now, I'm in the process of arranging an exhibition of the art from The Lover's Path -- some eighty paintings!
Do you sell your art? How much do they cost?
Yes, I sell my art. However, it's beyond the scope of this website at this time to feature an extensive online gallery. Prices range from $100 for a preliminary sketch to about $2,500 for a large oil painting. If you're interested in acquiring one of my paintings or preliminary sketches, please e-mail me. Include the subject line "Original Art inquiry" in your e-mail. I also sell prints of my work here.
What books have you published?
Most recently, The Lover's Path for Abrams Books and The Lover's Path Tarot for US Games Systems. I've also just completed a tenth anniversary edition of The Book of Goddesses. Click here to see a full publications list.
Will you autograph my book?
Of course! But I'd far prefer to send you an autographed bookplate, which I can personalize with an inscription. Click here to e-mail me your inscription information and snail mail address. Living in NYC, it's a minimum of a half-hour wait on line at the post office -- and I'm almost always on deadline. Bookplates are just kinder time-wise, and more practical too, especially now that I have a small child.
Do you have any new books and products under development?
Yes! Currently under development are several new decks, reissues of past books, calendars, and a new book collaboration with an illustrator friend. I also have a new illustrated novel taking root within me. You can get the inside scoop on these new projects by reading my blog.
If you're a publisher interested in seeing new proposals, click here to request more information.
Are you available for hire as an illustrator or designer?
Yes. Besides my books and produts, I've also illustrated book covers, calendars, and for magazines. I've also designed numerous books, brochures and websites. Please e-mail me to learn more at kris [at] artandwords dot com.
I can't find a copy of The Book of Goddesses or Persephone and the Pomegranate anywhere. Can you help me?
You're in luck. The Book of Goddesses has just been reissued by Abrams Books. And I will be making a new edition of Persephone and the Pomegranate available soon through Art and Words Editions, my private art press. But other books -- Sacred Animals, The Seal Prince, Rapunzel and The Firebird -- have sold out their printings. I am currently working to make these books available again, even creating new art and design for some of them.
You can also purchase most of my out of print books upon Amazon.com.
Can you give me advice on how to publish a book or tarot deck?
There's many things I can suggest, but there's not enough room or time to do them justice.
A few quick suggestions: Please remember that many, many talented people want to be published -- unfortunately, more than all the publishing houses combined in the world can hope to ever publish. It's for this reason that I believe persistance is even more important than talent. Remember that rejection is part of the game; you can't get to "yes" without going through the "no's".
More important points: Research your market well. Make certain your project is as good as it can be. (I can't stress these two points enough.) It's better to send one pristine submission to a one appropriate publisher than a dozen bad ones happenstance: please don't waste an editor's time by sending less than your best work, or by sending a children's book to an adult house, or a tarot deck to a paperback house. Many publishers have stopped reading unsolicitated submissions because the time and energy necessary to slog through inappropriate submissions wasn't cost effective -- so be kind!
For more information, check out Harold Underdown's Purple Crayon website (Harold is the author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books), Publisher's Weekly, Jeff Herman's Writer's Guide to Book Editors and Literary Agents. There's also The Literary Marketplace (available at your local library).
If you want me to look at your book or deck proposal and offer editorial advice, I am available for consultation at $60 an hour.
Are you available to illustrate my book or tarot deck? Though I'm honored by your interest in my work, for the most part I only illustrate projects that I have originated and written myself. However, there have been exceptions to this rule: I've been honored to illustrate Kristine Franklin's The Wolfhound, Amy Ehrlich's Rapunzel, and a few others. If you have a book or tarot deck you'd like me to illustrate, you can have your publisher contact me by e-mail for further information, and I'll put them in touch with my literary agent. If you do not yet have a publisher for your project, once you have one you're welcome to suggest my work to your publisher. I also create illustrations for book and magazine covers.
Please note that I do not illustrate or write on speculation; nor do I do work for hire.
About mythology and tarot
Do you have any information about a particular goddess such as_______? Can you help me with my mythology research?
Though I love mythology and have done some extensive research of my own for my books, I'm not an academic; I can not help you with your research or reports. But luckily there are many wonderful sources of mythological studies on the web. One I particularly like is the comprehensive site at www.pantheon.org.
I'm new to the Goddess Tarot or the Lover's Path Tarot -- how can I become more skilled as a reader?
I encourage all tarot readers to check out this page, where I've listed several suggestions to increase your skills. I've also written and designed The Goddess Tarot Workbook, which I hope will help develop more intuitive and creative Goddess Tarot readers everywhere.
Can you give me a tarot reading? Can you comment upon my tarot reading?
There are several reasons why I do not get involved in Goddess Tarot or Lover's Path Tarot readings. My main reason is personal: I want to see tarot readers empowered by themselves, since my decks were created as a tool for you to find your own answers, to honor the wisdom you already hold within yourself. Another reason is the logistics of time -- there is only so much any one person can do in a day. If you want a professional tarot reading, I would suggest Laura Mead-Desmet at www.atasteoftarot.com; while she doesn't use The Goddess Tarot, I consider her an intuitive and responsible tarot reader.
Do you ever offer tarot workshops?
Yes, I do. If you're interested in setting up a Goddess Tarot or Lover's Path Tarot workshop faciliated by me, I invite you to e-mail me at e-comment [at] artandwords dot com. Please make certain to put "Tarot Workshop" in the subject header.
Do the meanings of the cards that are in the booklet or book mean exactly what they say? Or is there room for your own interpretation?
There is room for your own interpretation -- this is even encouraged! The meanings ascribed to the cards are just meant as a guide to jump start your own free associations. What usually happens is that after working with the cards for a while, you'll start to get a "feel" for the meaning of a card and how it relates to your life. You'll also learn to trust your instincts. But this does take some time, some familiarity with the tarot cards. And this is true of any tarot deck, not just the ones I've created.
Sometimes when I do a spread, there is one card that just doesn't go with the rest of the meanings of the cards at all. What does this mean?
In my experience, this occurs when the question isn't clear, or when the time isn't right for an answer. I've also seen this happen when the same question is asked over and over to the cards. It can be frustrating, but it's a sign that it might be time to step back a bit, give the cards a rest, get some distance. It can also mean that there might be a bigger question that needs to be addressed that's not being looked at. The cards are answering, but it may not be what you're expecting.
Do I need to know the tarot to use The Goddess Tarot or The Lover's Path Tarot?
It does help to know the tarot, but I did design both decks intending they would be accessible to folks who'd never read before (just as I also wanted them to be accessible to people who were familiar with the traditional Rider Waite).
How can I increase my tarot reading skills?
The same way you get to Carnegie Hall: practice, practice, practice! Read for yourself. Read for others. Keep a tarot journal. There's also a workbook for The Goddess Tarot, which I created last year. The Goddess Tarot Workbook was specifically designed to help people become more empowered and intuitive Goddess Tarot readers. I also think that it's always good to read other books. Tarot Made Easy is good, as is Spiritual Tarot and Tarot for Your Self. There's also a great free online tarot course given by Joan Bunning, author of Learning the Tarot, at http://learntarot.org. Bunning believes that the tarot can help you tap your inner resources more confidently. These lessons are geared toward beginners.
For more information about The Goddess Tarot, I'd like to invite you to read the introductions to The Goddess Tarot Workbook and The Goddess Tarot book which are posted upon this website. They contain information which may answer other questions you might have. Another wonderful way to increase your connection with The Goddess Tarot is to start a Goddess Tarot Circle. Click here to learn more.
I've lost the small booklet that came with the Goddess Tarot/Lover's Path Tarot. Where can I obtain another one?
Unfortunately, we do not have extra copies of the booklet for sale. However, we do have an Adobe Acrobat file (.pdf, 124 k), which contains the booklet text. Click here to download it for free. (If you need Adobe Acrobat reader, you can obtain the program gratis at Adobe.com.)
A card/the booklet is missing from my Goddess Tarot/Lover's Path Tarot deck. Or I've lost a card and need a replacement.
I am the artist, not the publisher of these items. To obtain them, you need to contact the Goddess Tarot's publisher, US Games Systems Inc., directly. They will be more than happy to help you.
I'd like to purchase the book which goes with The Goddess Tarot. Where it can I find it?
Generally speaking, The Goddess Tarot book is mainly sold packaged within the deck and book set. To purchase only the book, you need to contact the Goddess Tarot's publisher, US Games Systems Inc., who will sell the book alone. Alternately, you can purchase The Goddess Tarot Workbook, which goes a bit deeper in detail than The Goddess Tarot book, and offers advice on how to personalize The Goddess Tarot for yourself.
I live overseas. Where can I purchase your tarot decks and/or your other books and merchandise?
Most of the items featured on my online catalog can be shipped outside the United States. You can also buy the Goddess Tarot directly from the publisher, US Games Systems Inc. The Lover's Path Tarot is available directly from me as both limited and regular editions, and can be shipped internationally.
Have a question you don't see answered? E-mail Kris at e-comment [at] artandwords dot com.
