Where The Pikas Hide

6h x 4w
Acrylic
Price: $350
Framed
Contact Artist
The second of a series of works about where I love to hike and snowshoe in the mountains of BC, Canada.

On several occasions I have seen a Rocky Mountain Pika sitting on a rock watching me as I walk by. Pikas are small mammals that are closely related to rabbits and hares. Pikas live among rock slides in places of elevation in the mountains. They are curious but skittish and they keep their distance. When a predator is present, pikas let out a loud high pitched "eep" which echos among the rocks and valley walls. The cry is surprizingly loud considering their small size.

I once played chase with a pika in Banff National Park. I had no chance of catching him as he would disappear into the rock slide in which he lived. He would keep popping up just out of reach, only to disappear again. Seconds later he would reappear a few meters away. After I was tired and sat down, he came closer and closer, and kept "eeping" at me - he wanted to keep playing.

Recently I hiked to Silver Spring Lakes near Elko, BC. Three small lakes are set a in narrow valley, one after another. Near the end of the third lake you can see the ridge of the mountain above you on each side. The colours of the rocks glisten in the sunlight: browns, coppers, bronzes, reds, golds. The rocks are imposing, beautiful, dangerous and peaceful. 

As I sat quietly eating my lunch, I listened to the animals and birds that live there. I watched a hawk overhead land atop the trees. Pikas could be heard in the background warning each other of my presence. On the hike back there was something large foraging in the trees above me. I never saw the animal, but I could hear it disturbing the forest. It was likely a moose or a bear which are common in the mountains.

After I returned home I painted a small series of metallic coloured works inspired by the rocks and lakes of Silver Springs.

Small abstract work on paper, framed and ready to hang.

Small paper work that can be hung in whatever orientation that you choose. Image will appear differently depending on which way that you hang it. Consider the image as I display it, then rotate 90 degrees and look at it again. Find the orientation that speaks to you. This is part of the joy of abstract painting.

My signature appears on the front of the work and my Certificate of Authenticity is included.

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Website: mapleleith.ca/

Fernie, British Columbia
Canada, V0B 1M0

Phone Number: (403) 404-4672