keira • 11 • Offaly

8-11 Category   •  2026
I made this artwork to show what I think it might look like inside the hideout my sister and I have made in the field behind our house. I imagine that when we aren’t there, the animals take over the hideout and even hibernate there during the winter, in a quiet peacefulness, protected from the weather but still dreaming of the brighter days to come. The roots of all trees are so important for keeping them up and strong but they also protect the space and animals inside them. The moon is drawn brightly against the sky to show the night-time and to show a peaceful, dreaminess. I used dark colours to show that it is damp, but also to show that it is very cosy and homely inside the hollow of the tree. I used both acrylic paint and pencils to add detail and texture to the artwork. When people look at this picture I want them to feel that it may be cold in nature, but that there is still a warmth too and that they will imagine their own stories about nature and what happens when they’re not there.