Spring Stream Apr 27, 2015

Can you hear it?

The siren song of the Spring Stream is enchanting music for many-a-fishermen.

And at least one Vermont artist.

“Fish come and go, but it is the memory of afternoons on the stream that endure.” – E. Donnall Thomas

Watch “Spring Stream” video

11X14
Watermedia on panel

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Comments Add Yours

  • Angela says:

    I so enjoyed your video and of course your painting. What a nice way to start the week. Thank you!

  • David Churchill says:

    I always enjoyed the running of the Spring streams and the running of the fish. Sure sign of a new tomorrow and Spring has come to Vermont!

  • Christine says:

    Great video…it reminded me how much I love those edgy brush strokes….

  • Marie says:

    One of my very favorites.. and resonates with spring and a time for open hearts all around. Thank you.

  • sharon carcoba says:

    I,m an acrylic artist just wish I could “loosen” up. Love your work.

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thanks very much Sharon. Big brushes help of course. And the biggest shift you can make away from detail…paint what you see at a glance, (or via squinting), not what you “know”.

  • Carol Mina says:

    Love to watch you create “magic” on that paper. What a gift!

  • Nancy Edmunds says:

    As Chris & I watch your video, Chris laughs. I ask why & he says, “he has 100 brushes in his Pail & he’ll probably use 2.” Another great piece!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Yes, I agree that’s funny. Chris is right. The Boy Scout motto is “Be Prepared”, so as far as brushes go, I was covered. I only brought one painting panel with me however. That’s called optimism.

  • Randy Priest says:

    I always love your videos. I want to point out something that might be overlooked in this video. Thank you for picking up trash left by others. We all need to take care of this great Earth, and especially Vermont. I live in NJ and walk a mile and a quarter to work most days and I pick up trash every time. Your videos give us a chance to know you better and make us realize that you are much more than just a great artist. Thanks for making this world a better place!

  • Bonnie Kelly says:

    I love to watch your process…..beautiful bold lines and painting with just a few seemingly big brushes..too
    Such fun to watch,,,do more videos.

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      I’m lucky to have Jackson, and now Daniel and Anne Appelt doing these videos for us. They are real artists with a camera. Thanks Bonnie!

  • Brian Blaine says:

    A brook flows along the back of my property in Orange which is so similar to the one you have painted, I enjoy the way you captured the bubbly movement of the water in what I’d describe as a wonderfully controlled abstract of color and flow of paint. And I love the way you have reduced the pools and “rock steps” of the tumbling stream to a cascade of simple horizontal shelf-lines. Lastly, thank you for the gentle reminder via video that such pristine places will disappear unless each of us does his/her part in keeping them that way. Thank you once again for making everyone’s lives a little better.

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      That “always leave a place better than you found it” lesson from Boy Scouts always stuck with me. If we can aim for just that in life, that would be enough. Thanks again Brian for another studious critique from a fellow artist’s perspective.

  • Alta Johnston says:

    I love watching the flowing stream; paying attention to the stones as the water shapes them as it flows over them.

  • Peter Huntoon…you are one of the coolest Souls on the planet….and THIS painting is on my WISH LIST!
    Fabulous work – again and again and still yet, again! Great segue into the end of the video. Mother Earth matters. Go gently….Victoria

  • Muriel Brown says:

    You did it again. We can hear the gurgling brook, see the sparkling water, smell the aroma of spring, and feel the slippery rocks, as well as the garbage bag of unwanted items. What enjoyable minutes watching the video and learning how to be a more free painter. You are an amazing artist and teacher!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thank you Muriel. I admit that I love the idea of teaching via this forum. The traditional classroom experience may have many advantages, but just sharing everything I can here on A Day in Vermont allows anyone interested to take what they will and leave the rest. I get to paint, and I don’t have to take attendance or grade any papers either. 🙂

  • Christine Brown says:

    This painting just might be my favorite…of course I say that about each and every one.Just love your work, your style and the beauty of VT. captured “al fresco” XO

  • Ruth Kaldor says:

    How do you build the canvas holder? I use a tripod with a flat board attached for horizontal painting but your gadget would be less cumbersome.

  • Steve Gilzow says:

    Wonderful painting, wonderful video. Love how warm you made the “earth tones” in this. Stapleton Kearns talks about “smuggling reds” into a painting and I feel that’s what you did with the potentially drab banks of this stream. Thanks for the reminder to do some picking up before you leave.

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thanks Steve, as a fellow artist you know that we are not above a little “embellishment” when needed. Any good story teller knows when to stretch the truth for the sake of entertainment.

  • Donna Koutrakos says:

    Peter, you are an inspiration!

  • Arline Nallon says:

    Beautiful and relaxing to watch your video!

  • Charlotte Birchmore says:

    Loved the video and painting! I see we share a birthday! I feel like I’m in Good Company! Charlotte

  • michael takac says:

    Great painting Peter….no surprise there, and great video too — other than fact it appears you may be driving a little “in the middle of the road” so to speak. Let me know if you need a driver in the future, I’d hate to miss out on the yet to be created mini masterpiece that could be coming my way! Keep up the good work! I’m sure I speak for many on that. Regards, Michael T

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Funny Mike, in the video it does look like I am in the middle of the road. Maybe I was… I do tend to look around a little too much I suppose. Other than running over myself with my own truck (a different story) I have a pretty clean driving record. That said, if you want to take me out to paint some cool otherwise inaccessible location in that land cruiser of yours sometime…I accept!

  • Joanne says:

    Wonderful result from a gorgeous tranquil spot. Our rivers don’t look like this in Australia! Have you used acrylic here with lots of water? Very loose and free. Love it.

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thank you Joanne, This is transparent watercolor with a bit of white gauche used in combination here and there. No acrylics. I do seal it in the end with a clear acrylic gloss aerosol spray sealer.

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