Enid Petherick: Artist and Observer of the Wilds
with Ralph van Drielen

August 5, 2001

While pouring two cups of coffee, I idly glanced out the window...and looked again.  A model-like woman in black minidress with daypack stood in the path below, looking about somewhat mystified.  My initial thought:  "This is not where she is expecting to be!"

Ralph went out to the deck.  Soon she and Ralph entered, quickly followed by a man and one teenage girl and moments later by a second girl.  All tall, blonde and bronzed, they looked a picture book family.  On vacation from their home in the Netherlands they were exploring the BC mountains, and presently were looking for a quiet and spacious campsite.  A mixture of misinformation, washed-out roads, and adventurous spirit finally brought them to a rough clearing where a sign said "Park Here" and another "Office" sign pointed to a narrow footpath overgrown by thatches of wild raspberries.  A joke?  Or for real??

For real. Ralph and I were in the process of attaching wire to frames and were stacking paintings in the living room ready to be delivered to my show in Golden.  Inevitably the topic of painting was raised.  They were knowledgeable and interested.  Se we had an art show.  Afterwards they decided to look at the cabin and with some discussion decided all four could "fit in" for the night. A good decision over tenting because it later rained long and heavily.  Night fell early--a chance to experience the feel of wilderness by kerosene lamps and wood cook stove. 

The next afternoon Ralph and I were updating the portfolio when the family came to say they were packed and ready to say goodbye, but they unanimously had liked "Dancing Landscape" and wondered again what the price was?  Explaining they had not come thinking of buying a painting and expressing thought on complications of transporting a 40" x 30" canvas for the rest of their camping trip in the back of an open pickup along with the camping gear--all under a tarp!  We had a large plastic bag, which fit over the painting and a box to cut down for a packing case.  It would work. Family discussion.  A long weekend and no banks open ‘til Tuesday.  But everyone seemed equally keen in the purchase and resources were pooled--an international mix of currency was discussed--Dutch guilder, German mark, American and Canadian dollars.  In celebration, $1200 was collected and the painting packaged.  The crate was hoisted in style and everyone joined the procession along the path to the parked truck, where room was made with the camping equipment under the tarp. Smiles all round.  A most unexpected happening.  We feel we have met a wonderful family topped off by the sale of a painting.

May "Dancing Landscape" dance on their wall for a long time!

27 July 2001

"Our" gopher gets fatter and fatter.  There has been no sign of young and never have we seen more than one at a time.  Maybe Ralph is right--maybe there is only one gopher despite the numerous holes.  Perhaps someone live-trapped this animal and dropped it off in the "wilderness" by our place!!?!  Certainly it has adopted us and watches as I pick the wild raspberries only a few feet away.  When it finally bestirs from its viewpoint on the stump I can see its round rump with ample belly lopping on each side as it waddles under a bush.  There are, beyond doubt, enough berries for both of us, and although I have seen it in the herb bed it seems to have found little that met its fancy.  Pregnant or fat--that is the question??  Meanwhile, we tolerate each other, with mutual amusement and some skepticism--and accept what little each takes from the other's food source.

15 July 2001

"Used car lot or having a party?"  Our friends gazed toward the garden where long willow poles looped through the chicken wire fence and extended twelve feet into the air. .  Multi-colored plastic streamers attached in intervals up the poles draped and flowed in the breeze.  For two days in a row a deer has jumped the fence into the garden.  Mostly it walked through the rows--more curious than hungry, but it seems to be developing a taste for carrot tops.  We have been told that streamers work--whether because the deer is fooled into thinking the fence is much higher or perhaps intimidated by the flapping ribbons.  Time will tell.

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