Illustration © D. Yael Bernhard
This small illustration, commissioned by a Christian publisher some eight years ago, depicts a passage from the Book of Jeremiah, chapter 17, verse 8:
[S/he who trusts in Life] shall be like a tree planted by the water, and by a rivulet spreads its roots, and will not know when heat comes, and its leaves shall be green, and in the year of drought will not be anxious, neither shall it cease from bearing fruit.
What an opportunity, for an illustrator to translate these words into an image!
My interpretation of the first few words in the passage is broader than the literal translation – for what is faith but the ability to trust in our higher selves, in Life itself as it unfolds? When it comes to the creative process, I know this faith – but beyond that, it’s not easy. How curious, to create an illustration of that which I struggle to manifest myself. A personal challenge adds tension to an image, which I believe adds a certain richness to the result.
Thinking of an eternal stream in Eden, I tried to design the current as a loop in which the water feeds the tree and flows into the grain of its wood, which then branches out over the water with the fruits of creation – apples, pomegranates, grapes, bread, and barley. Each branch becomes a human hand that holds aloft the precious gifts of the earth. My editor was a progressive thinker who liked this concept, and encouraged my earth-centered approach.
O the joy of gradients! Both river and tree are broken up into long, wavy strands of varying shades of blue and brown that contrast each other along their edges. In order to do this kind of brushwork, I worked oversize. Given enough time, I would paint a much larger version of this image, and use oils instead of acrylics for even richer gradients . . . always my desire, and ever deferred due to deadlines.
Working within the restrictions of assigned subject matter and fixed dimensions can often yield good results. The contrasting background is no coincidence. In this case it was necessary to leave space for a headline, to occupy the triangular yellow space at center left – but the bright, featureless yellow also represents the blazing heat of the desert, from which the tree, in her firmly-rooted faith, is protected. Outer circumstances yield to inner strength of spirit – a recurring theme in Christianity.
The hands also represent human intention – for faith, like fruit, must grow and ripen before it can be internalized. If I could do this illustration over again, I’d add an eye to the palm of each hand – a symbol of divine awareness and protection throughout the Middle East known in Arabic as a hamsa (meaning “five”). Many a hamsa has appeared in other paintings I’ve done over the years – to be the subject of future posts.
May you dip your feet in the soothing waters of the Edenic stream.
A good week to all –
D Yael Bernhard
http://dyaelbernhard.com
children's books • fine art • illustration
posters • cards • calendars
D. Yael Bernhard is a professional illustrator, fine art painter, writer, arts-in-ed teacher, and health & nutrition coach. She has illustrated and/or written over forty children’s books, many with educational and multicultural themes. Her work has been featured by religious publishers, environmental causes, and healers and midwives all over the world. Find her art at the links above, and visit her illustrated nutrition newsletter, The Art of Health, here.