Berkana, the letter B, is known as “Birch” in the Elder Futhark rune alphabet. Berkana is traditionally visualized as a tall birch tree, within which a goddess’ form is visible in its trunk, her arms reaching gracefully toward the sky. This rune symbolizes fertility, births and beginnings, the inception of a new phase, and purification.
Only when I was nearly finished drawing Berkana did I start the “painful” process of “marking up” her by adding hundreds of lines, marks, spots, branch scars, and various other “defects” that cover her form. These marks are entirely natural on the bark of a birch tree, yet it was incredibly difficult to make myself mar her (formerly) clean limbs and body by adding these imperfections. I had to continually remind myself throughout the process that I was illustrating a birch tree that she is intimately connected to and a part of, and that it’s not a drawing of a woman pegged to the front of a tree.
These marks and blemishes reminded me that we all carry imperfections within ourselves, and that purification is a process we can all benefit from, just as this rune symbolizes.
Artwork measures 15” x 20”
Available for sale soon-this is on its way to the printer!
Berkana, the letter B, is known as “Birch” in the Elder Futhark rune alphabet. Berkana is traditionally visualized as a tall birch tree, within which a goddess’ form is visible in its trunk, her arms reaching gracefully toward the sky. This rune symbolizes fertility, births and beginnings, the inception of a new phase, and purification.
Only when I was nearly finished drawing Berkana did I start the “painful” process of “marking up” her by adding hundreds of lines, marks, spots, branch scars, and various other “defects” that cover her form. These marks are entirely natural on the bark of a birch tree, yet it was incredibly difficult to make myself mar her (formerly) clean limbs and body by adding these imperfections. I had to continually remind myself throughout the process that I was illustrating a birch tree that she is intimately connected to and a part of, and that it’s not a drawing of a woman pegged to the front of a tree.
These marks and blemishes reminded me that we all carry imperfections within ourselves, and that purification is a process we can all benefit from, just as this rune symbolizes.
Artwork measures 15” x 20”
Available for sale soon-this is on its way to the printer!
Please contact me if interested in purchasing a print of Berkana, so that I can create a listing for you.
