Reflection

When I was very young, my mom put me into the Scouts Canada program that taught me numerous way of guidance through nature; how we should respect nature, how to appreciate nature and what we can do around nature. We were taught to hug a tree if we were lost in the woods, being with a grounded tree was meant to give comfort to whomever is lost, and prevent them from wandering deeper into the woods. I found solace beside the towering red wood tree growing at the campsite, and just like the camp leaders said. I felt significantly less lonely even with no one to answer me, I felt as if the tree was listening to the conversations I had with myself as time passed. Thinking back on this experience inspired me to express this moment I had connecting with nature onto a canvas. I am ever so grateful to be able to use my creative liberty and paint my ideas in this contest. It makes me happy to create my unique idea while allowing me to connect to nature. I chose acrylic paint and acrylic markers because it allows me to create abstract strokes and render details at the same time, i like this medium a lot, and I think it portrays the atmosphere of my art piece well. Ive used acrylic multiple times and id say its a media im familiar with. Throughout the process of the contest, I've learned that nature indeed does have a positive impact in the mental health and energy towards us, so my experience hugging the tree wasn't just my imagination. Through my art piece, I wanted to convey the importance of nature in our lives. From how pur society is branched from nature, and how connecting to nature can give us so much comfort. Nature is accessible to everyone, nature is the most reliable guardian of our society. Our gesture towards the environment doesn't need to be grand, it can be as simple as hugging a tree.