The recently turned 13-year-old Trea Looi submitted artwork featuring a magical forest fox to the annual FORED BC National Forest Week contest was chosen as one of four winners.
“I went back and forth between what creature would be best to feature. I knew I wanted a creature local to Canada, then I wanted it mythical,” explained the Peter Ewart Middle school student, adding that mythology has been a major art direction for her.
After playing with five to six concepts, she settled on the vibrant orange fox, which totaled about two weeks from concept to finalizing the drawing.
Her piece depicts a mythical giant fox donning a crown, curled around tall tree in the green forest, with lively forest critters scurrying within the protection of its tail.
“The fox is a symbol of protection and wisdom, and it watches over the creatures of the forest, ensuring their safety and well-being. In return, the forest provides a safe and nurturing environment for the fox, creating a harmonious and symbiotic relationship between the two,” Looi explained.
She added that the fox also depicts the ability to produce magical orbs that bring light and warmth to the forest, “symbolizing its roles as a bringer of daylight and positivity.”
These orbs represent the fox’s mystical powers and connection to the natural world, Looi said.
Her favourite part of the piece was working on the special lighting effects in the forest.
“I loved how the lights created a magical and enchanting atmosphere, making the whole scene come to life. It was very satisfying to see how the different colours and intensities of the lights transformed the space and added a whole new dimension to the overal design.”
Looi said she spent a lot of time experimenting with different lighting setups to get the final result.
Inspiration of her idea came from brainstorming with her drawing teacher, who, Looi said, has been a great support in the contest.
“She is a teacher who not only taught me about creativity and imagination, but also taught me about observation [and] the technique for each artwork,” Looi shared.
Looi’s mom found the contest and encouraged her to make a submission. She said that the forest has a special place in her heart, and she wanted to try something new.
”It is a serene and enchanting place where the melodious chirping of birds fills the air. The lush greenery and towering trees provide a tranquil environment where I can gather my thoughts and find inspiration,” she said.
Looi has been practicing her craft in watercolour, animation, semi-realism, and hyper-realism for most of her life, and is eager for opportunities to explore and improve her skills.
“Each style offers unique challenges and opportunities for creativity,” she said.
The talented young teenager has also played piano since she was two years old, and has been composing her own works in almost just as many years.
The Forest Week contest is an annual youth art, photography, and video contest focused on celebrating the importance of forests in day-to-day life. Each winner received a cash prize of $150.
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