Semi-Transformation Decks by Jennifer Gaudion

[Jock1971]

i recently bought a couple of decks from Jennifer Gaudions etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JGaudionPlayingCards" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A Bouquet of Pheasants

Tuck box, back, Jokers and Royal Spades.

A few of my favorite cards.


Pips in Proverbs

Tuck box, Back ,Jokers and Royal Spades

a few of my favorites from the pips in proverbs pack.

i have asked Jennifer to come along and join in the discussion about her cards.
So hopefully she can answer any of your burning questions.

[Räpylätassu]

These are nice! I really like that Pips in Proverbs deck!

[JGaudion]

Hello! Thanks for inviting me along.
Happy to answer questions

[Jock1971]

Hiya Jennifer.
Thanks for coming along to our dark corner of the internet

Most artists who sell cards on etsy just bang there art onto cards and call it an "art deck".
But you seem to have plunged straight into making semi-transformation decks ( and actual semi-transformation decks at that)
How did that come about, are you a card collector? or have you seen a semi-transformation deck before?

EDIT
I forgot to mention that the "a bouquet of pheasants" deck has a specific theme, "Terms of Venery" which means the collective nouns of various species of animals.
king of clubs is a crown of kingfishers
2 of spades is a watch of nightingales
4 of spades is a pod of whales
I think the way you have incorporated these terms into your cards is fantastic, was this something you found problematic or was it pretty easy to come up with the ideas for each card.

[JGaudion]

Well, I am quite a fan of board games generally and the art and iconography appears even in some pieces from back at school. I'd collect a deck of cards from holidays too. Then one day I found Key to the Kingdom by Tony Meeuwissen which is still my favourite deck. Even better that it had a puzzle to solve (though sadly I was years too late to enter)!
My first deck was a full transformation deck back in 2007/8 done as a way to relax during university revision season. Using the pips to design the picture is important to me. However, it's really tricky to do with a theme so I allowed myself to move and shrink the pips for this.

[Jock1971]

Then one day I found Key to the Kingdom by Tony Meeuwissen which is still my favourite deck

Ah.. that is probably the first transformation deck that i bought as well, very nice package with the book explaining the pictures
Your style seems similar to Peter Woods , i recommend you check out some of his decks

My first deck was a full transformation deck back in 2007/8

That's not on your etsy site, sold out no doubt. any chance of a reprint?

[JGaudion]

Thanks! I have a couple of Peter Wood's decks (Wild! comes to mind) and he was lovely when I got in touch to ask some questions.
The first deck "Pips in Pictures" (no theme at all) sold out, there were 100 copies and I was blown away by the support (and knowledge) of the playing card collecting community. For a while the originals were lost too, fortunately since found. No chance of a reprint, I'm afraid, it was a "limited edition" numbered set.

As for the theme of animal collective nouns, it started with the image of "A murder of crows" tickling the imagination. I didn't plan ahead, just took each one as they came. It got pretty tricky at times, especially working out a plan for the court cards. Why are there so few animals called Queen something?

[JGaudion]

Found some pictures of "Pips in Pictures", these were watercolour including the indicies.

[Jock1971]

Ooh you are a tease......Those are freekin awesome.

[Strag]

These are amazing, I've just picked up a few! Very reasonable prices IMO for the limited production and beautiful effort.

I've always been a fan of transformation and semi-transformation decks. My first ever deck was The Bear Deck by Peter Wood and I have several of his as well. I definitely feel an influence of his work in yours but of course you are adding your own uniqueness as well. Really well thought out.

Have you ever considered doing different editions for a wider audience? I really think you would see success with a top line printer if you so chose.

I am also a big fan of Emmanuel Jose and his work in transformation decks, have you seen his work?

[JGaudion]

Thanks
No, I've not seen Emmanuel Jose before, I'll look him up.
What do you mean by different editions? What changes appeal to a wider audience?