King of Swords

A scholarly warrior-King in bright armour; haloed with stars that symbolise his celestial intellect, his distance from earthly matters, and his cold aloofness.
He holds his weapon like a Sword-of-Damocles, as both it, and his judgement, may fall at any second.
The scroll unravelling around him which bears the life and deeds of the person he is judging.

He stands upon books of collected law, and tradition which can guide and elevate, or hinder and bind.
The ground is covered in Purple Irises (for wisdom) and Black Eyed Susans (for justice), though some are crushed under the weight of the books.
The souls of the flowers rise as butterflies around him, and may still bring wisdom and mercy to his ears.

Painted for the ‘Woven Path Tarot’ for the Changeling Artist Collective, where every card is fine by a different (fantastic) artist – the Kickstarter will be out in November.

Acrylics, gouache, and colour pencil on paper, 21×29 cms.

Oberon & Puck

Oberon & Puck, Soni Alcorn-Hender

Oberon & Puck

I know a bank where the wild thyme blows,
Where oxlips and the nodding violet grows,
Quite overcanopied with luscious woodbine,
With sweet muskroses, and with eglantine.

‘Oberon & Puck’, from William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Basecard art for a trading card by Iconic Creations for the set ‘Iconic Literature’.
Acrylics, mica glitter, gold leaf, dubious love potions and fairy-level arrogance, on paper
A3 / 29cms x 42cms

Prints and art items available at Society6

Work in progress and detail images: