Front Image:
There are four cards in each box set. Each card has a digital image from four of my original paintings inspired by each of the four rainforests I have visited as part of the Wild Beauty at Risk series. The four images included in each set are pictured below.

Back Information:
The back of the card has information about this series and includes a picture and information about the artist, Karen Cornelius.

Card Specs:
Each 4.25x5.5in card features a printed exterior, a writable blank interior, and comes with a white envelope.

About This Work:
The cards selected for this gift set are digital images of my paintings inspired by the four rainforests I experienced while creating the paintings for Wild Beauty at Risk. They are the Kakamega Rainforest of Western Kenya, the Hoh Rainforest in Washington State in the USA, the Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve in Mexico and the Eastern Java Bail Rainforest in Indonesia. I recorded the magnificent beauty of the jungle with a sense of urgency, knowing that these places may not always exist.

Drawing in the heart of the rainforest, I was surrounded by towering trees, lush undergrowth, and a symphony of exotic birds and monkeys. The vibrant colours, intricate patterns, humid air, and rich scent of damp earth created an unforgettable atmosphere.

As I drew, I felt wrapped in the forest’s embrace, sitting quietly, observing, and absorbing the wonder of the jungle. Each mark I made captured what I saw and felt in those precious moments.

In Japan, the practice of shinrin-yoku—or "forest bathing"—describes immersing oneself fully in the forest atmosphere. In Germany, Waldeinsamkeit refers to the profound sense of solitude and connection one feels when alone in the woods. These traditions recognize the healing power of the forest, something I felt deeply in Kakamega and remember vividly from my childhood in the Ituri Rainforest.

I include a ghost tree in my paintings as a reminder of the trees and species that have disappeared or become extinct. Every lost tree leaves a void, a shroud of memory, an echo of what has been.

I want you to fall in love with the tropical rainforests. I want us to care about the health and survival of our trees and forests everywhere and act to preserve and protect these magical places.

How It Was Made:

This card is a digital reproduction of my painting.   I photograph the original painting and have a local printer create a high-quality card. Please note: colours may appear slightly different on screen than on your art card.

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Follow my creative journey on Instagram @cornelius.karen

All artwork is copyrighted by Karen Cornelius. Copyright and reproduction rights remain that of the artist. Artwork cannot be reproduced in any way.