Living Love

Illustration © D. Yael Bernhard

This illustration was licensed for the The Power of the Yin Oracle Deck, written and published by Daven Lee in 2023. The second edition has already been published! Daven is offering a special deal for Valentine’s Day for my subscribers: use the code YaelArt and receive a 10% discount anytime during February. Find the deck here.

I painted Living Love about twenty years ago, for the publication department of United Church of Christ's national headquarters. For a theme of community fellowship, they requested an image of opposites in harmony – two people living the meaning of brotherly love. These two opposite figures reach for each other, forming a sort of figure-8 of blended skin tones. The mind of one is rooted in the earth, while the other grows up into the sky as foliage. Imagine if the roots and leaves of a plant fought with each other – that would be silly. This partnership is alive, growing and changing – and in good time, fruitful. Our society is also a living organism, to which different people bring different strengths and weaknesses. Why is that so difficult?

Daven used Living Love on the Harmony card in her deck. It was one of several pre-existing paintings that she licensed (the rest were all originals painted specifically for the deck). We enjoyed these concurrences of my images and her themes – it was almost uncanny sometimes. The entire project was an adventure in unexpected intersections. To me, the deck is comprised of three creative processes braided together: the writing, the art, and the deck itself, which unfolded as a dual creation – and a wild ride! We felt both happy and sad when the deck finally went off to press.

The text on the card reads:

Harmony

The pendulum at one extreme
must swing back to the other side.

And then gradually,
as it continues its sway
back and forth,
a settling occurs.

There is harmony.

Soften your edges.
Get rooted in the earth.
Pause in the center, quiet and alert,
prepared for action
or rest.

Daven’s text is deliberately spare and suggestive, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. And she has received amazing responses from users of the deck all over the world. You never know what an image will evoke by way of imagination and association. I’m honored that Daven chose me as her illustrator and designer. I hope we’ll have more opportunities to collaborate!

You can also order a greeting card of Living Love for Valentine’s Day here.

A good week to all!

D. Yael Bernhard

https://dyaelbernhard.com

Have you seen my other Substack, The Art of Health? In addition to being a visual artist, I’m also a certified integrative health & nutrition coach with a lifelong passion for natural food cooking and herbal medicine. Now in its second year, this illustrated newsletter explores cutting-edge concepts of nutrition. I strive to make relevant information clear and accessible, and to anchor essential health concepts in unique images. Check it out, and if you like it, please subscribe and help spread the word. Your support keeps my work going!