River of Sleep
In 1998 and 2000, I traveled to Guinea, West Africa, to study the indigenous dance and rhythm of the region. African dance and drumming have been a longtime passion in my life, and have deeply influenced my art. My travels to the region were an experience I’ll never forget. The heat was so intense, the colors so vibrant, the poverty so pervasive, the people so friendly and the culture so rich – the sheer paradox of it all made a deep impression on me. Drifting in and out of sleep in the steamy nights, rather than feeling I was absorbing Africa, I felt as if Africa were swallowing me whole – breaking me down and merging my soul with the rhythms of life. Rhythm permeates everything in West Africa, from jewelry to fabric to fences, and every kind of music. Even the flute music was rhythmic, with the player sucking sound in through the flute on the inhale as well as blowing it out.
The complex polyrhythms of Guinea are represented here as a river of flowing shapes – for the traditional drumming and dance movements are indeed quite fluid. Like a thread drawn into a tapestry, I felt like I was becoming part of this river. There wasn’t much room for art supplies in my luggage, nor free time to paint – but I managed to bring this small image to completion, sitting under my mosquito netting one night with a small watercolor pad and a compact set of gouache paints.
This is one of several paintings I’ve done of a figure moving through a symbolic geometric passage. I’m working on another, larger version right now. The possibilities for varying this idea are endless. A river can be rendered in many ways, and represent many things. So I wasn’t surprised when, three years ago, author Daven Lee expressed interest in licensing River of Sleep for her oracle deck, The Power of the Yin. She saw it a whole different way. The image became one of 58 illustrations that I produced for the deck, five of which were existing images. River of Sleep was used for the card titled The Liminal. How very apt! The concept speaks to times of transition, when we’re compelled to cross new thresholds and venture into the unknown. This in-between state can be both exciting and frightening. I like this use of the painting very much. It resonates with both my life and the world we live in, so full of unexpected change.
The text on the back of the card reads:
Welcome to the in-between place.
To wandering in the desert.
A place of neither here nor there.
You are no longer,
but you have not yet become.
It can be uncomfortable here.
Even excruciating.
And yet, it is a place of power
And a state of grace.
This is where you are being made.
Can you let the Divine shape you
into its holy instrument?
You can find The Power of the Yin Oracle Deck for Women 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!
I just read this today - and it's the card I pulled for myself this morning!
I never knew the story of this illustration - how is that possible??
But I'm so glad to know it now.
I find that often when people pull this card, they see a woman in a birth canal—so fitting for "The Liminal"—and it sounds a bit like you were being birthed anew in Guinea as well.
Thank you Yael.