TracksIn The Wild Betsy Bowen

The artwork presents a scene of domesticity within a wild setting. Here we observe three hares nestled together beneath the protective canopy of evergreen branches. The composition is structured around these animals, which occupy the central foreground and are rendered in a textured, almost scratchboard style, using varying tones of brown and gold to suggest fur and form.
Above them, the background transitions from a warm orange-red at the horizon line to a cool blue overhead, creating a sense of depth and atmospheric perspective. The branches themselves are depicted with stark black lines against this gradient sky, their density contrasting sharply with the open space above. This contrast emphasizes both the enclosure provided by the foliage and the vastness of the surrounding environment.
The hares appear relaxed and secure; one seems to be sheltering the others, creating a visual narrative of familial protection and comfort. Their closed eyes suggest sleep or peaceful repose. The artist’s choice to depict them in this vulnerable state within a potentially dangerous wilderness evokes themes of safety, nurture, and the delicate balance between domesticity and nature.
The limited color palette contributes to a sense of quietude and simplicity. The use of flat planes of color, reminiscent of woodcut prints, lends the work a graphic quality that simplifies forms and emphasizes line. This stylistic choice reinforces the feeling of observation – as if we are witnessing a private moment in the natural world.
Subtly, the artwork might also be interpreted as an allegory for resilience and adaptation. The hares’ ability to find solace and security within their environment speaks to the inherent capacity for survival and the enduring power of familial bonds even amidst challenging circumstances.