Meet Stacey Williams-Ng | Illustrator & Publisher

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stacey Williams-Ng and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stacey, why did you pursue a creative career?
Honestly, I never considered anything else. Even when I was in college, choosing to study Fine Art (“instead of something practical,” as the world might say), I knew that being an artist was the only thing for me. Now that I’ve been at it for 30+ years, I have discovered that there are a thousand paths that can fall under the description of being an artist.

Being a working artist makes me happy. Making beautiful things—from thin air—makes me happy. Hearing people say that they love my work, or even better, that my work somehow helped them in their life struggle? That makes me swoon with happiness. It doesn’t get better than that, professionally. I mean, maybe doctors who save lives, okay, sure sure.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m a professional illustrator and graphic designer with almost 30 years’ experience. I am now the founder of La Panthère Studio, a small indie publishing house for esoteric books and tarot cards.

I have illustrated children’s books, music albums, apps, websites and so many other things…. but all that is behind me now and I am designing cards full time, and it’s so fulfilling. I also help other creatives to publish works like this.

I love telling people, “I make tarot cards” and then seeing the look on their faces! Ha. I promise I know how weird it is.

I think people assume that a tarot card maker must be some recluse from society, scribbling out weird cards in a dark cave somewhere… but actually this is a booming new niche in publishing, and becoming ever-more mainstream.

I just completed a Memphis music-themed Tarot deck called “The Rhythm & Soul Tarot.” The four suits correspond to four foundational genres of American music: jazz (fire), blues (water), rock (air), and country (earth). All of the painted illustrations are original, and all based on real music history.

Check it out, along with many other decks, at lapantherestudio.com! Support local, living artists 🙂

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well all of my favorite Tennessee spots are in Memphis, so we are going to dive into my faves from the Mojo City.

I have a long detailed list for out-of-town visitors, but today in honor of my “Rhythm & Soul Tarot” card deck, I will narrow them down to the ones related to music and magic.

MUSIC MUST-SEE
Memphis is the home of the Blues, Soul, Funk and Rock ‘n Roll. It’s also the birthplace of its own vibe in Rap as well as dance. Here are some great haunts to learn more:
• Stax was one of the most iconic recording studios of all time, and is now a museum. Visit to learn the history of Soul and Funk, and to see Isaac Hayes’ fur-lined Cadillac.
• SUN STUDIOS is still an active recording studio, but still gives tours as a museum during the day. This is where Elvis, Johnny Cash, and so many other icons recorded that signature 1950s sound.
• The Crosstown Concourse is a large multi-use space with restaurants, shops and more. But for the musically-minded, it’s also the home of WYXR radio, where you can watch and listen to the DJs live (behind glass), and also the free-to-the-public Listening Lab, where you can relax on beautiful, stylish furniture and listen to any vinyl record you could ever think of. A library of vinyl for the public to enjoy.
• There is a fantastic cocktail lounge beneath our Amtrak Station, which incidentally has been converted into a boutique hotel filled with Memphis art. The lounge is called Eight and Sand, and features a live DJ spinning only music with a Memphis connection. The hotel is called Central Station, and is part of Hilton’s Curio Collection.

SOUTHERN MAGIC
If you’re looking for a mystical supply shop, or a Hoodoo remedy, or a tarot deck, you have options. Memphis used to be known as “Mojo City” because of its connections to Hoodoo, which is a spiritual practice unique to the USA, inspired by African Traditional Religious practices. It’s a folk magic practice, and often reliant on supplies like oils, incense, herbs, roots and spices. The shops you’d want to visit in Memphis are:
• Ebbo Spiritual Supply (on Madison), for a wide selection of Hoodoo remedies, candles and powders. An excellent herbal and roots room adjoins the store.
* Memphis Conjure (on Summer Avenue) is famous for its remedies and potions.
• To see one of the earliest mercantiles on Beale Street— go upstairs at A. Schwab’s.
• Paradox at PeCo (corner of Peabody and Cooper) is a wondrous gift shop that is a little of everything, and more. Feels like walking into a Hollywood version of a New Orleans Voodoo shop… you never know what treasures you’ll find there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My partner, who doesn’t like to see his name in print, has been by my side since I graduated with a BFA from a small state college with virtually no hope or prospects at all. He encouraged me, built me up, supported me whenever I’d lose a job, and gave me pep talks about self-confidence whenever the world beat me down.

He watches my reviews on Etsy, and when he sees a negative one, will call me and say, “Did you see the thing on Etsy? I’m hoping to catch you before your blood boils.” When a publishing house rejects my manuscript he will say, “Why do you need those guys anyway? Publish it yourself!” He’s always there as a soft place to land when the world is cruel.

We have two children together, and they are adults now, each in creative fields. Both our son and our daughter can now give the best pep talks… to me, to their respective partners… and to other artists too. Our whole family has what I call “Art Teacher Energy.” We strongly believe in supporting those who have ideas, to raise their voices with confidence.

Website: https://lapantherestudio.com

Instagram: @southern_gothic_oracle

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaPanthereStudioLLC

Other: TikTok is @lapantherestudio

Image Credits
Studio portrait by Jamie Harmon. Art images courtesy of the artist.