Blue Peach Forest Therapy

The first time I heard about forest bathing and forest therapy was in a small town in Okutama, a local town about 2 hours from metropolitan Tokyo. They had pamphlets about it explaining benefits and citing research. The whole concept originated in the 1980s to combat the high stress environment of 1980s corporate Japan. After research into the benefits of spending time in a forest, it was termed "Shinrin-Yoku" or forest bathing. When you visit a forest, slow down to take in all that fresh oxygen, it has therapeutic effects and even reduces blood pressure and stress levels. That's why you will generally feel better after leaving a forest compared to when you arrive.

This is part of a Blue and Peach color palette series of artworks themed around nature, forest bathing, meditative walking and the healing effects of a garden. I used metallic watercolor in the original artwork. I played with a peach pink color in this series as a way to add tenderness and contrast to the blue. The pink is like the unconditional love we receive from the natural elements, its enduring nature.

The image is an abstract illustration predominantly featuring navy blue and beige colors. It includes a variety of shapes and brush strokes, some of which are circular while others are more angular, set against a white background. The composition exhibits dynamic energy and movement through the intertwining lines and curves, with interspersed beige elements enhancing the depth and complexity of the artwork.