lifestyle enchanted
About Artist Londa R. Marks
Creating magical worlds is what Londa does best.
The prolific artist, Londa Marks, twice published by the world’s largest publisher of tarot decks and kits such as "Lord Of The Rings Tarot," U.S. Games Systems, Inc., owns 80 of her original oil paintings she created for "Londa Tarot" deck and house them in a private museum along with Salvador Dali tarot and 25th century Visconti-Sforza tarot. U.S. Games also owns and published the first ever created digital tarot deck, "Crows Magick Tarot" with 80 cards and book by Londa R. Marks.
Stuart Kaplan, CEO U.S. Games Systems said, “You are one of the most talented artist’s I have had the honor of working with.”
Born, Londa O'linn Finkel, February 26, 1952 in an Irish Catholic community of Marietta, Ohio, Londa Marks is mostly a self educated artist. Londa studied under New York artist Murray Stern (1927–1985) in the early 1970's. Murray was an art professor from Athens, Ohio, whose work is in the Kennedy Museum of Art Collection. His work is seen in 30 Broadway plays and 50 movies including Ragtime and Cotton Club. Murray encouraged Londa to focus on her original art and worked closely with her at West Virginia University and his personal studio in Athens, Ohio.
Art Professor Murray Stern said,“Your original illustrations are knocking me on my ear; you’re a natural.”
The Archives
Londa has also invented, written and designed 15 Tarot decks that include 22 to 78 scenes/cards per kit; Numerous paintings and ink illustrations, products, fashion, catalogs and booklets and 34 music magazines are included in her archives.
overview
Londa Marks 2019 Florence, Italy Studio & Atelier
Rock Legend News - Mastering Mythology in rock music with digital magazines, free to download. The zines include classic rock legends and modern day rock info, interviews, reviews and has a section for science and technology. It features its own archive images and featured photographers along with images created by Londa R. Marks for Pete Way Facebook Group. Pete Way is a regular feature of the zine. Rock Legend News was founded by Londa R. Marks in 2015. Rock Legend News 30 zines, without major promotion or paid advertising, stats from July 28, 2016 - October 9, 2020 1,620,248 + Readers/Viewers
Since 2016
1984 - 1990 Londa R. Marks, a founder/sponsor of HAWK Rock Band, Hollywood and found original members: Charles Morrill (magazine cover above), Lonnie Vincent (Bulletboys), Scott Travis, Doug Marks (1984-1986/7). Glenn Burtis (from Lita Ford), original drummer replaced by Scott Travis (Judas Priest). Doug Marks (MetalMethod.com) is also a founder. HAWK played venues during 1984 - 1986/7 alongside of Motley Crue, Poison and similar. Along with being a sponsor Londa’s jobs included finding musicians for the band, image designer, graphic artist, photographer, booking, general manager and choreographer consultant. May 27, 2018, the HAWK Facebook page has about 1900 followers and HAWK Youtube channel collectively has over 500k views.
alchemist
publishing
Alchemist Publishing publishes Londa R. Marks' Rock Legend News online magazines along with her self invented numerous products including Tarocchi games, luxury products, fashion & accessories and reproduction medieval furnishings. The publishing company was founded in 1993 by Londa R. Marks just after being published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Londa Tarot & Crow's Magick Tarot decks and books/kits. Londa Tarot included 80 paintings now housed in U.S. Games private art museum alongside Salvador Dali art and 15th century Visconti-Sforza decks.
Rock Legend News zines are published by Alchemist Publishing LLC through ISSUU, the world’s largest electronic publishing and discovery platform for magazines, catalogs, newspapers, and other publications and registered with R.R. Bowker LLC., based in New Providence, New Jersey, incorporated in Delaware, an exclusive agent for issuing International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) for works to the book trade, including publishers, booksellers, libraries, and individuals; its roots in the industry trace back to 1868.
Rock Legend News can be found on ISSUU alongside Classic Rock, Fender, Circus, Guitar World, Music Connection, Drum Media, Rolling Stone, The History of Rock, Heavy, In Rock, Metal Hammer, Billboard, MRF (Frontiers Records, Italy).
Londa R. Marks founded Pete Way Facebook Group in 2015. Pete Way is bass legend and founder of UFO/WAYSTED/FASTWAY, and has performed with
Michael Schenker, Fast Eddie Clarke, Andy Parker, Phil Mogg, Paul Raymond, Paul Chapman, Neil Carter, Jerry Shirley, Uli Jon Roth, Jason Bonham, Lemmy Kilmister, Wayne Findlay, Aynsley Dunbar, Herman Rarebell, Clive Edwards, Nacho Jase, Kamil Woj, Danny Vaughn, Nikki Sixx, Slash, Simon Wright, Robin George, Twisted Sister, Chris Glen, Danny Peyronel, Johnny Dee, Spike and other top names in rock.
Londa R. Marks is administrator, manages and installs historic memorabilia related to Pete Way. The Group has over 4,000 members.
Wicked Wear
W
Legend Attitude
WORLD
OF TAROT
WAY
OF THE SWORD
The fashion divisions under the designers label LONDA FIRENZE are:
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Wicked Wear™ (rock clothing, and accessories).
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Londa Firenze® (luxury fashion lines and home decor).
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Legend Attitude™ (edgy, trendy, rock clothing and accessories.
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World Of Tarot® (tarot, astrology, tarot prints, tarot cards, casual wear, decor and accessories).
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Way Of The Sword® (tarot project).
Inspirations
Her earliest inspiration came from being with her grandmother, where the art books were, and when she saw the back of her grandmother's couch or, in Londa's eyes, saw a large canvas that was ideal for the perfect medium, her grandmother's handy lipstick. Being age 2 has its advantages… Being Catholic opened the Italian doors to art that resonated with Londa and has not stopped.
Approaching her teens, as she discovered how rock music inspired her artwork, her daily walks to Catholic school turned a sidewalk into her stage and the grass her audience. She would sing to the grass then continue on her large front porch after school - ten steps up from the street - after plugging her radio into the porch outlet, well, until her mother ripped the plug out of the socket during her performance. Nevertheless, Londa could always retreat to creating her own worlds, silently through the magic of art.
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Alchemist Publishing has published Londa R. Marks since 2001.
VISIONARY LONDA R. MARKS 2015
Londa Marks 1994
Londa Marks 1954 age 2, at her grandmother's house, where it all started.
Londa Marks 2014
ADMINISTRATOR
PETE WAY FACEBOOK GROUP
Pete Way (UFO/WAYSTED)
Londa R. Marks Founded Pete Way Facebook Group January 2015
ARTISAN
EDWARD
Artist's Son
Printer & Product Crafter at
Alchemist Publishing LLC
"They did everything right."
—Timeless Spirit Magazine http://www.timelessspirit.com/JAN10/tarot.shtml
HAWK
80's ROCK BAND
Co-Founder
Image designer & graphic artist
Additional Details
Londa Tarot
By Londa R. Marks
Londa Tarot is Londa Marks first tarot deck of 15 tarot decks she has created. It was named by CEO Stuart Kaplan, owner of U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT.
U.S. Games Systems, Inc., kept Londa Tarot in production from 1993 to 1998 and Crow's Magick Tarot was in production from 1997 to 2017. It is currently Out Of Print. When searching Google for either of these decks the out of print sales range from $200 to $700+, for example: https://www.amazon.com/Londa-Tarot-Marks/dp/0880796642
Comment From Tarocks.com
"The Londa Tarot arose from the displeasure of the designer with the already existing decks with which she couldn’t connect. Experiences from a past as a creative designing costumes and make up for a rock band and an interest for Native Americans ultimately led to the unusual design of the cards that show an otherworldly style varying from gothic to classic Italian. The images also reflect a typical early nineties feeling: a lot of Big Hair is shown while the figurines are somewhat elfin. A bit like David Bowie going Bold and the Beautiful. These extraordinary cards possess all the qualities necessary to become true cult tarot cards." -Tarocks.com
DevainiShop says:
"Out of print Londa Tarot is a deck that open before the fortune teller the enchanting world of the forever young elves. The beauty of this deck cannot be described, you need to feel it, because each card is a separate piece of art, fanciful costumes, grotesque poses and the elves in their own fantastic world.
Characters - the elves will speak to you in their own language. Their piercing glances look at you slyly, sometimes even severely, looking into the most secret corners of the soul, showing off the right way. Tarot Londa is suitable not only for analyzing internal problems, but also for meditation, since the cards are very intuitive and speaking. Perfect for viewing situations related to relationships with people, the world around you and financial issues."
Awarded “Best in Show Costume Recreation
At Tarot Garden
"...Some time back, we suggested to some of them that the characters in your tarot would make wonderful source material for competition-level costumes. The presentation took the workmanship award for "Best Media Recreation," and the judges' award for "Best in Show." It was very well received, thanks to your marvelous designs we became Londa Tarot characters in full costume and makeup." To visit The Tarot Garden and see the live "Londa Tarot" characters click here.
—Jeannette Roth, The Tarot Garden http://tarotgarden.com/blog/the-many-faces-of-tarot/
TV
Los Angeles TV Interview
Los Angeles Western astrologer Terence Guardino since 1977 featured Londa on one of his PBS KCET TV shows in 1998. Terence produced and hosted in Los Angeles a popular public access TV show, "Astrology and You," from 1984-2004.
TV Series
"We love The Hierophant from your, "The Alchemist Tarot" project and would like to use it in Witchblade TV Series."
—Witchblade TV Series
Acquisitions
Medieval bed designed by Londa R. Marks for Henry Thomas, best known for his breakout role as Elliott in Steven Spielberg's film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial acquired a medieval bed designed by Londa R. Marks and built by her son Edward.
Gallery Showings
Denver, Colorado
Londa R. Marks has shown and sold her paintings at Ink Spot Gallery in Denver, Colorado during late 70s.
Reviews, Quotes & Comments
Numerous reviews on Londa R. Marks work can be found on search outlets. Below are a few:
Aeclectic Tarot Blog
Featured on Aeclectic.net in an interview with Londa R. Marks and reviews of her tarot decks.
“Londa Tarot is a tarot with attitude, it reaches out and shouts its style.” —Adam McClean
https://www.alchemywebsite.com/tarot/course/Tarot_course09.pdf
The Alchemist Tarot
“The whole effect integrates together to give strong, powerful and engaging images.” —Adam McClean
https://www.alchemywebsite.com/tarot/tarot_weblog.html
The Alchemist Tarot
"The long awaited, Londa Marks Alchemist Tarot is now available." He said as he placed the now opened box before me. He handed me the cards. The matte finish of the Alchemist Tarot is a perfect backdrop for a colourful and visionary approach for a hermetic based modern derivative of a majors-only divination and personal manifestation system. Reading with Majors-Only decks is a subject near and dear to my heart, and the Alchemist Tarot is a fresh new look at this continental standard. The Alchemist Tarot is a complete system based on Hermetic Qabalah for both divination and as an aide in attaining more of the things and goals that we desire. It's a great print job. They did everything right. —Timeless Spirit Magazine http://www.timelessspirit.com/JAN10/tarot.shtml
Crow’s Magick
Crow's Magick tarot is one of the tarot decks used on tarot.com
https://www.tarot.com/tarot/decks?deckID=68
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Alan Spencer, Producer of TV Series Sledge Hammer hired Londa to develop his website. ”Londa Marks hallmarks are professionalism, as well as great inspiration. There is no one more creative. The work she has done for me is beyond my highest expectations." —Alan Spencer, Alan Spencer Productions, Inc. (Sledge Hammer TV Series) http://www.sledgehammeronline.com
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Londa R. Marks was a founder/sponsor of HAWK Rock Band during 1984 - 1990 in Hollywood and found original members: Charles Morrill (magazine cover above), Lonnie Vincent (Bulletboys), Scott Travis, Doug Marks (1984-1986/7). Glenn Burtis (from Lita Ford), original drummer replaced by Scott Travis (Judas Priest). Doug Marks (MetalMethod.com) is also a co-founder. HAWK played venues during 1984 -1987 alongside of Motley Crue, Poison and similar. Along with being a sponsor Londa’s jobs included finding musicians for the band, image designer, graphic artist, photographer, booking, general manager and choreographer consultant. May 27, 2018, the HAWK Facebook page has about 2000 followers and HAWK Youtube channel collectively has over 500k views.
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Londa R. Marks founded Pete Way Facebook Group and is is administrator, manages and installs historic memorabilia related to rock bass legend Pete Way. The Group has over 4,000 members. Pete Way is bass legend and founder of UFO/WAYSTED/FASTWAY, and has performed with Michael Schenker, Fast Eddie Clarke, Andy Parker, Phil Mogg, Paul Raymond, Paul Chapman, Neil Carter, Jerry Shirley, Uli Jon Roth, Jason Bonham, Lemmy Kilmister, Wayne Findlay, Aynsley Dunbar, Herman Rarebell, Clive Edwards, Nacho Jase, Kamil Woj, Danny Vaughn, Nikki Sixx, Slash, Simon Wright, Robin George, Twisted Sister, Chris Glen, Danny Peyronel, Johnny Dee, Spike and other top names in rock.
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Co-founder and Marketing Executive of Metal Method Productions, Inc., during 1982-1990 where she designed all magazine advertising, instructor image and band image and instructional booklets. “Londa, as you'll find out, is a very special person, an incredibly gifted artist. She's also punctual, reliable, has the ability to meet deadlines "at all costs" and is a very hard worker. I have never met an artist with more natural ability and creativity."—Doug Marks, Metal Method Productions, Inc.