Genevieve Barbee-Turner, a talented illustrator and artist, has created a unique niche in Pittsburgh’s art scene by blending her fine arts background with the practice of tarot. With family roots in the city, Genevieve’s journey as an artist and her dedication to capturing the essence of Pittsburgh and our region of Appalachia through her work offers a fascinating insight into her creative process and personal philosophy.
Growing up in the Hampton Roads area in Virginia, with family in Pittsburgh, Genevieve visited often and made the decision to move to the city to attend Carnegie Mellon University in 2003. She quickly fell in love with Pittsburgh’s unique landscape and tight-knit community. After graduating, Genevieve began working in human services, which profoundly influenced her first tarot deck, “Bridge Witches.” This project was born from her wanting to reflect a Pittsburgh beyond the standard tropes. She wanted to create a deck that reflected the Pittsburgh she saw—a city of stark contrasts and hidden stories.
Genevieve’s venture into tarot was not a typical artistic choice. She found tarot to be an ideal medium for exploring complex themes and narratives. Her decks are more than just tools for divination; they are works of art that tell stories and provoke thought. Her newest deck HAUNTED for example collects folklore, ghost stories, and dark history from Pittsburgh and beyond, into West Virginia and Eastern Ohio. Appalachian hills, rivers, and historic neighborhoods provide a backdrop that continually inspires her. The city’s manageable size and affordability allowed her to live, work, and develop her artistic voice without the pressures of a larger metropolitan area. Over time, she has become deeply attached to Pittsburgh, finding it both a challenging and nurturing environment for her creativity.
Each subsequent deck she created tackled different subjects, such as mental illness and the queer body, showcasing her ability to weave personal and social commentary into her art. What comes with the personal touch Genevieve’s work is how it resonates with people. She recalls a story of a woman who used the “Bridge Witches” tarot deck to learn more about the area before deciding where to live in Pittsburgh. This level of engagement speaks to the power of her art to influence and reflect the lives of those who interact with it.
Beyond tarot, Genevieve is also a collector of tattoos, often collaborating with her tattoo artist to create designs that are personal and meaningful. This collaborative approach to art extends to her work, where she encourages people to bring their interpretations to her creations. Her art is not just for viewing but for engaging, questioning, and exploring.
Genevieve’s tarot decks and other artworks can be found on her website, Killerpancake Illustration. She also sells her pieces at local stores such as Stay Gold Books in Regent Square, Games Unlimited in Squirrel Hill,and the I Made It! Market in the Mall at Robinson.
Genevieve’s journey as an artist in Pittsburgh is a testament to the city’s ability to nurture creativity and provide a canvas for artists to express their unique perspectives. Through her tarot decks and other artworks, she continues to explore and celebrate the rich, diverse tapestry of Pittsburgh life, inviting others to see the city through her eyes.
