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The Copper Forest - COMPLETE
The Copper Forest (Prints Available)
76 x 51 centimetres // 30 x 20 inches.
.
.
Ink (0.1 / 0.5 fineliner)
Coloured Pencil / Watercoloured Pencil
Minor acrylic detailing in cream and copper.
.
FINAL
Since being diagnosed with cancer on February 14th, 2017, I have been exploring the concept of ecosystems that are sick, but still beautiful and in their own way, thriving. Which is almost every ecosystem. Ultimately, I proceeded with an Inktober project in the style of The Bronze Forest before it (because I had forgotten how tortuous it is to work on a piece this big lol), to process my feelings.
The Copper Forest was envisaged as a forest that would be autumnal in feeling. The trees are mostly bare, there are many broken branches, and many hollows eaten into the trees. Those trees standing have galls. But life in abundance, and beauty, persists. My own cancer is genetic, it is an autosomal dominant condition that is incurable. My tumours are inoperable (they are operable, but in the 'wait until you're ready to die' sense), and I start radiation soon. But my life is rich and filled with beauty. I am an ecosystem of so much life and abundance, amongst some nuisance tumours in my head and neck. And while my life is very focused on them right now, it's also focused on my friends, garden, animal companions and more.
It's taken me a long time to realise that despite the dis-ease of chronic illness and genetic malfunction, despite mental illness and requiring tablets to help my brain comprehend feelings of wellbeing, I am still a whole ecosystem and brilliant in my own way. The Copper Forest was in a way, a sort of affirmation of that.
And so here we are, at the end of 6 months. Life is good.
Full list of animals to discover:
1. Two ravens
2. Sleeping dragon
3. Owl
4. Two pheasants
5. Two fairy wrens
6. Spiny possum
7. Fox
8. Lizard
9. Two bears
10. Beetle with a castle on its back
76 x 51 centimetres // 30 x 20 inches.
.
.
Ink (0.1 / 0.5 fineliner)
Coloured Pencil / Watercoloured Pencil
Minor acrylic detailing in cream and copper.
.
FINAL
Since being diagnosed with cancer on February 14th, 2017, I have been exploring the concept of ecosystems that are sick, but still beautiful and in their own way, thriving. Which is almost every ecosystem. Ultimately, I proceeded with an Inktober project in the style of The Bronze Forest before it (because I had forgotten how tortuous it is to work on a piece this big lol), to process my feelings.
The Copper Forest was envisaged as a forest that would be autumnal in feeling. The trees are mostly bare, there are many broken branches, and many hollows eaten into the trees. Those trees standing have galls. But life in abundance, and beauty, persists. My own cancer is genetic, it is an autosomal dominant condition that is incurable. My tumours are inoperable (they are operable, but in the 'wait until you're ready to die' sense), and I start radiation soon. But my life is rich and filled with beauty. I am an ecosystem of so much life and abundance, amongst some nuisance tumours in my head and neck. And while my life is very focused on them right now, it's also focused on my friends, garden, animal companions and more.
It's taken me a long time to realise that despite the dis-ease of chronic illness and genetic malfunction, despite mental illness and requiring tablets to help my brain comprehend feelings of wellbeing, I am still a whole ecosystem and brilliant in my own way. The Copper Forest was in a way, a sort of affirmation of that.
And so here we are, at the end of 6 months. Life is good.
Full list of animals to discover:
1. Two ravens
2. Sleeping dragon
3. Owl
4. Two pheasants
5. Two fairy wrens
6. Spiny possum
7. Fox
8. Lizard
9. Two bears
10. Beetle with a castle on its back