Personal illustration following my conversion to Judaism, inspired by my feelings for ma’ariv aravim. Created during a moment when I was seeking rest and renewal after a period of crisis, turning towards life and away from my desire for death, knowing this cycle will repeat, and still connecting to hope and love. Night holds all these things for me, and ma’ariv aravim is a blessing for the night.
This illustration is also a response to Fortunate Fall, which I made in 2022 around the start of my conversion process during a time of simultaneous hope and pain.
Image Description:
Illustration of a celestial figure rendered in soft blue and gold against a solar eclipse. Their dark curls cascade as they embrace themselves, looking up peacefully while a disembodied hand gently holds their face. The figure is framed by lilies, and an aleph is placed over a void near their chest. Star-shaped scars mark their body, echoing the night sky behind them.