Dan is a UK-based illustrator, designer, zine creator and student.

He is the creator of the Hide Tarot, a painterly, black and white tarot deck that was created in a process of moving through grief.

Explore Dan’s work on his website, danfrancis.co.uk, and find more illustrations on IG @hide.tarot.

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On the process of creating the Hide Tarot

During a period of deep grief, Dan threw himself into an art project in the hope of ‘filling the void’.

I thought it would give my brain somewhere safe and constructive to go during the time I had off, thinking about the advice and wisdom in the cards. As I was planning what would be what, I quickly realised that, with each card, I was actually healing myself in a sense. I’m now so happy that I can hold this deck in my hand and say “here’s what I went through and here’s a physical embodiment of what I learnt”. I quickly realised that, with each card, I was actually healing myself in a sense. I’m now so happy that I can hold this deck in my hand and say “here’s what I went through and here’s a physical embodiment of what I learnt”.

Seeing the way my dad’s life changed as his health deteriorated made me understand how we truly cannot ever be ready for what the future holds. Before my dad’s diagnosis, I didn’t really think that much about the overall journey of life or worry about the future, but now I do. And that is why I enjoy tarot so much. It helps me, for a brief moment, feel like I can simplify and understand my life.

Read the full interview with Dan here.

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