“Serpent”, gouache painting on birchbark © 2002 D. Yael Bernhard Every now and then I create an image that's inspired by the surface it's painted on. It feels more like the image creates itself, in response to the color or texture that gives rise to it. My job is to follow the lead – in this case, the rich tones of birchbark, with its subtle variations and grainy texture that receives paint so beautifully. One must allow such a pleasing, organic surface to show through – better yet, the painting should be