Kris Waldherr's background
Q.What is your background? What inspired you to become a book artist and writer?
A. From the time I was a small child, I've loved art and books. When I reached college age, I was fortunate 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, design, 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 also freelanced as a book designer for seven years for Penguin Books under the grande dame art director Atha Tehon. From Atha I learned to respect the delicate balance of art and words when creating a book.
Q.Who are your artistic influences?
A. 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. No artist can work in a vacuum -- we all need the support of like-minded souls!
About Kris Waldherr's art and books
Q. How do you make your paintings? How long do they take you?
A. 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.
Q. Do you exhibit your art?
A. I have a small gallery here in Brooklyn that doubles as my studio; it is open to the public for exhibitions and events. I've shown my work in numerous galleries and museums including the Ruskin Library, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and the New York Open Center. I 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.
Q. Do you sell your art? How much do they cost?
A. Yes, I sell my art. Prices range from $75 for a small sketch or giclée print to about $3,000 for an oil painting. For more information, contact me here.
Q. What books have you published?
A. Most recently, Doomed Queens for Broadway/Doubleday Books. Click here to see a full publications list. I've also recently entered the digital realm with iPhone apps.
Q. Do you have any new books and products under development?
A. I'm almost always on book deadline. You can get the inside scoop on these new projects by reading my blog or subscribing to my newsletter.
Q. Can I purchase your products wholesale for my store?
A. Absolutely. Here is wholesale information for my publishers.
Q. I'd like to purchase the book which goes with The Goddess Tarot. Where it can I find it?
A. Generally speaking, The Goddess Tarot book is sold packaged as a set with the deck. To purchase only the book, you need to contact the publisher, US Games Systems Inc. Alternately, you can purchase The Goddess Tarot Workbook, which is deeper in detail than The Goddess Tarot book, and offers advice on how to personalize The Goddess Tarot for yourself.
Q. I live overseas. Where can I purchase your tarot decks and/or your other books and merchandise?
A. Most of my publications can be shipped outside the United States via Amazon.com. You can also buy directly from my publishers, who are able to handle international orders.
Q. I can't find a copy of The Book of Goddesses or Persephone and the Pomegranate anywhere. Can you help me?
A. Both books are have sold out their printings, though copies of The Book of Goddesses can be purchased directly from me. My earlier illustrated books, such as Sacred Animals or The Firebird, can be purchased from Amazon.com
Requests for Kris
Q. Will you autograph my book?
A. Absolutely! I can send you an autographed bookplate, which I'll personalize with an inscription -- simply mail me a self-addressed stamped envelope. Click here for a mailing address. And thanks for your support of my work. :)
Q. How do I get published? Will you recommend a publisher or literary agent for my book or deck?
A. Short version: I can't recommend publishers or literary agents. I love sharing about publishing however -- I often write about publishing on my blog and have a publishing advice page here. I also offer publishing workshops at my studio.
Q. Will you read my manuscript and give me feedback?
A. Sorry, but I'm not able to for a variety of legal reasons. (Intellectual property law is a notoriously slippery slope.) However, I wish you the best of luck getting it published.
Q. I'd like to include a quote from your book in my novel/manuscript/other work of art/website. May I do so?
A. For the most part, yes. Fair use law allows quoting another's work within reason as long as it is properly attributed. E-mail me the exact quote and book title and we'll take it from there.
Q. I'd like to reproduce your art in my novel/manuscript/other work of art/website. May I do so?
A. Click here for licensing information.
Q. Are you available for hire as an illustrator or designer?
A. Yes, though I'm usually always on deadline. I also license my artwork for book covers, calendars, and other publications.
Q. Are you available to illustrate my book or card deck?
A. For the most part I only illustrate projects that I have written myself. However, there have been exceptions to this rule. If you have a book or deck you'd like me to illustrate, have your publisher contact me; 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 art to them.
Please note that I do not illustrate or write on speculation. Nor do I do work for hire.
Q. Can you help me develop an iPhone app? Or give me advice on how to do so?
A. Sorry, but my schedule prohibits it. However, Gratitude Journal developer Carla White wrote an e-book which offers great information about how to develop and market an app. Much of what she's written mirrors my experiences, so I recommend it. Learn more here.
Q. Can you donate art/prints/books/time for my nonprofit organization or charity?
A. I receive many requests for donations. It's simply not possible to fulfill them all. I already donate, mainly to local organizations that I am involved with; generally speaking, these organizations are oriented around the arts, or offer benefits to women and children. However, if you want to mail (not e-mail) a personalized letter to my studio address, I'm happy to consider your request.
Q. I've lost the small booklet that came with the Goddess Tarot/Lover's Path Tarot. Where can I obtain another one?
A. These are available for download as free e-books. (You'll need Adobe Acrobat reader for them.)
Q. A card is missing from my Goddess Tarot/Lover's Path Tarot deck. Or I've lost a card and need a replacement.
A. To obtain them, you need to contact the publisher, US Games Systems Inc., directly.
About mythology and tarot
Q. Do you have any information about a particular goddess such as_______? Can you help me with my mythology research for my paper?
A. Though I love mythology and have done some extensive research for my books, I'm not an academic; I can not help you with your research or reports. Fortunately, there are many wonderful sources of mythological studies on the web. One I particularly like is the comprehensive site at www.pantheon.org.
Q. Can you give me a tarot reading? Can you comment upon my tarot reading?
A. There are several reasons why I do not get involved in commenting on others' 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.
That written, we do hold monthly tarot salons at my studio-gallery, where I sometimes read. You can also get free online tarot readings with my decks here and at TarotGoddess.com, a commercial website I set up for this purpose.
Q. Do the written meanings of the cards mean exactly what they say? Or is there room for your own interpretation?
A. There is room for your own interpretation -- this is even encouraged! The meanings ascribed to the cards are meant to jump start your own free associations. What usually happens is that after working with the cards for a time, 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. And this is true of any tarot deck, not just the ones I've created.
Q. 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?
A. 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 give the cards a rest, get some distance. It can also mean that there may be a bigger question that needs to be addressed that's not being looked at. The cards are answering, but it's not you're expecting.
Q. Do I need to know the tarot to use The Goddess Tarot or The Lover's Path Tarot?
A. 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).
Q. How can I improve my tarot reading skills?
A. The same way you get to Carnegie Hall: practice, practice, practice! Read for yourself. Read for others. Keep a tarot journal. 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.