Image of the Week: Forest Shofar
As Rosh Hashanah draws near, here is my image for September in The Jewish Eye Calendar of Art.
© 2018 D. Yael Bernhard
It's always a pleasure to paint on birch bark. The inner side, with the beautiful rusty color you see here, is my favorite. I do not peel it from the tree, but collect fallen curls of bark from the ground. This lovely specimen is from a tree on Westkill Mountain, near my home. Birch bark is tough and durable – once glued down on matboard, an excellent surface for water-based paint.
Starting with a medium-tone background makes it possible to work both lighter and darker. For me it's a refreshing change to apply white on an earth-toned surface. Flat color is best on birch bark's smooth texture, which is why I chose a naive style and simple composition – fitting for the subject. I felt I was revisiting my earlier self as an artist, for as a youthful admirer of ancient and tribal art, I often worked in a flat, "primitive" style.
Forest Shofar also revisits my earlier self as a seeker – for Rosh Hashanah is a time of inner return. Before I was led to explore my Jewish heritage, the forest was my spiritual sanctuary. Returning there in my dream was no surprise, for there I drew to me the wild and gentle creatures in my psyche with a blast of the ram's horn. The shofar announced to the forest that something new resounded in my soul, something big enough and old enough to encompass both humanity and nature. Very pleased I was to discover throughout Jewish liturgy blessings and psalms and readings in honor of the earth and our connection to it. The blessing for dew might be my favorite.
Now I walk in the woods to practice Torah and Haftarah readings in that shelter of peace beneath the branches. I believe the animals – and even the trees – listen.
_______________
The Jewish Eye 5779/2019 Calendar of Art may be found in my webstore; and on Amazon. The cost is $18 – shipping included in my webstore, and free on Amazon if you have Prime.
The original painting of Forest Shofar is also for sale. It's acrylic on birch bark, measures 11"x 9", and is nicely framed. Email me if you're interested.
Shana Tova u'Metukah – a good and sweet New Year – to my Jewish readers! And welcome to my new subscribers who purchased my calendar this week. Starting next week, this post will no longer be dedicated to my calendar, and will return to a variety of subjects.
best to all,
Yael
D Yael Bernhard
children's books • fine art • illustration
If you wish to unsubscribe from this weekly mailing list, please consider joining my "Once-a-Year" list instead! You may do so by emailing me and requesting to be added to that list.