Description
Karen HOPKINS
Victoria
At the Forest End
2024
Mixed media including homemade paint made from charcoal earth ochres and wood ash
121 x 61cm framed
A trip to the native forests near Warburton inspired this painting. I wandered through these beautiful forests, surrounded by rich scents, colours, and textures, immersed in wildlife and the chorus of birdsong. These ancient Victorian forests are home to many species, including endangered ones. The serenity was abruptly shattered when I entered a logging area. The life-giving trees were replaced by discarded logs, burnt trunks, and sawdust—an echoing void where birdsong and buzzing insects once thrived. The devastation was heartbreaking. I have aimed to capture this experience using mixed media and natural paints made from ochres, charcoal, wood ash, and soil. Painting with these earth-derived colours felt especially meaningful. The process is distinct from acrylics or oils, requiring multiple layers and working with textures, matte effects, and natural tones.
