Artist Feature - Sav
Sav @plantbasedsav
What led you to BTS?
My best friend had gotten really into them and I wanted to know more about them; they seemed like an important part of her life so I wanted to learn about it. I let her show me music videos, YouTube compilations, interviews, Run BTS episodes, and so on, and I was like, “okay wow, I’m really into this!” Their music is just amazing; that plus the choreography and music videos really drew me in for their talent. Their personalities were so instantly charming and comforting that it was easy to see why people admired and loved them so much - and I’ve definitely followed suit. It was also a time when graduating from college and figuring out who I was in the world had left me feeling a bit confused, discouraged, and even lonely at times. BTS became a source of comfort and joy for me and has been such during the best and worst times since I found them. I respect and relate to the sentiments they share through their music and admire the honesty and goodness with which they carry themselves.
Who or what sparked your interest in art/tarot?
I have always been fascinated by spiritual, magical, and metaphysical things, even when I was a kid and loved fairies and making “potions” in my back yard. When I got older and started exploring more of who I was and what I believed in, tarot really appealed to me. I had friends who read cards and tried online readings and really connected with it. I eventually got my own deck and have been using it ever since, along with the four other decks I’ve gotten over the years. As for art, I have loved making art since I was little; it’s always been one of those things I come back to over and over throughout the stages of my life. I took on an art minor in my undergraduate studies and absolutely loved it - having dedicated time to learn and practice art honestly saved me from the mental burnout I had really struggled with throughout school. Consuming/admiring art has always been one of my favorite things as well. Going to museums/galleries/studios is such an inspiring and healing experience. I love appreciating and taking in the aesthetics of things I see every day and try to transmute those elements into my own creative works. Art has always been a passion, a fun hobby, and an escape for me.
Who are your major influences?
As for art, some of my biggest inspirations have been Keith Haring, Yayoi Kusama, Claude Monet, Henri Matisse, and other modern/contemporary artists. However, I usually feel more influenced/inspired by specific works that I see than by specific artists; or by the work of lesser-known artists that I keep up with through social media. One of my favorite places in the world is the MoMA in NYC, because I love the art movements represented there and the social/cultural relativity of their exhibitions. There are also a lot of great studio/gallery spaces for local artists - as well as a really nice art museum - in my hometown. Another big influence is definitely BTS themselves, specifically Namjoon. He has become one of my biggest role models in his way of human honesty, penmanship, and eye/appreciation for art and nature.
What has been your favorite thing about this project?
Getting to combine all of my favorite things: music, art, tarot, astrology, and BTS is literally a dream project for me. I love being able to relate my knowledge of tarot I’ve gained over the years to music and artists I admire and then getting to make creative concepts out of it. Also, getting to talk tarot and astrology with fellow ARMYs is so nice!
What is your favorite card and why?
My two favorite cards are Death and The Star. I have always loved the Death tarot card - it signals new beginnings, cycles ending, necessary change. A lot of people get scared when they see this card, which only makes me want to spread more understanding of it and of the good side to life’s many endings. The Star is a refreshing and comforting card that brings the message that things will be okay. It is the rain after the drought. When things feel hopeless and terrible, the Star shows up to soothe us into a fresh start.
What advice would you give those who are interested in art/tarot but are hesitant to try it?
Just go for it. That’s over-done, I know, but these are two practices that you can really grow in and enjoy if you just spend some time with them on a regular basis. You might not be amazing or “get it” right away, and that’s okay and totally normal. Part of the enjoyment is in the journey of learning and developing your skills and personal tastes as you go. Take in different sources of inspiration - don’t limit yourself to one specific style or interpretation. Try new and different things. Your abilities and style will inevitably start to show themselves. Also, have fun with it! Don’t let it stress you out too much. It’s always okay to take breaks and totally normal to feel frustrated or stuck at times.
