Waits River Vermont Feb 15, 2016

 

Less is more. At least, when it comes to art.

In my experience, a self-imposed limit in one area encourages creativity in another.

Here I was struck by the earthy quality of the scene, the spare landscape, and the powerful contrast between warm weathered wood and the fresh white snow. Expressing that with an earthy limited palette of colors made good sense to me.

“Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.” Brendan Francis Behan

12X16
Oil on panel

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“Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.” Brendan Francis Behan

Comments Add Yours

  • Mary Crowley says:

    Painting is pure Vermont. The flavor of life with fewer complication than people in cities have.
    Curious – what colors did you use ? What brand ?
    Stray thought. Do you know an accomplished pastel artist nearby ? Love to you and Mareva, Mary

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Hi Mary, colors here are Transparent Oxide Red, Ultra Blue, Yellow Ochre, and Cad Red at the end. Maybe I used a little black too, can’t recall. All either Rembrandt or Gamblin. I’m afraid I don’t know any pastel artists personally. I have heard of and seen Robert Carstens work, very nice!

  • Steve Gilzow says:

    Another wonderful painting, Peter. Love those scattered red notes. Your photo shows we wield the same wicked 4 inch scraper for cleaning the palette. Amazingly, I’ve only sliced a finger once in my years of using this effective yet menacing tool. It was in a pocket of my day pack when I made a blind grab for some paper towels. It now lives in a sheath when traveling outdoors…to prevent creating my own scattered red notes.

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thanks Steve, yes that scraper is one of the studio hazards around here for sure. Every time I swipe it clean (and as you know that’s often) I wonder if this is the time I slice my finger. So far so good!

  • Florence Welch says:

    The White House at the left hand bottom of the painting is where my husband was raised. It has been remodeled in The last few years, but the scenery is the same. Thank you for a beautiful painting of his old home town..

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      I had never been here Florence but I saw a photo somewhere and knew I had to paint it. Gorgeous little town. Thanks!

  • Lauren Riker says:

    Peter-Love how you’ve used the play and balance of structures, colors and elements so true to Vermont in this painting. The church, bridge, two rustic buildings mirroring in the scene and your stroke pattern on the bridge brings the viewer forward into this beautiful Vermont scene. So beautifully done in Huntoon style!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      I think every good painting, even representational art, has an abstract foundation. Balance is extremely important to me in my work, maybe because I’m a Libra. Thanks so much Lauren for all your support!

  • Lauren Riker says:

    This would be a perfect scene for a Christmas card series.

  • John Tolbert says:

    Peter, don’t know if you are getting better or your subjects are but I love your last 3 postings. Just Dorr I can’t buy them all.

  • Brian Blaine says:

    I spent a bit longer than usual studying this painting. Why? Because my mind kept wandering back in time to thoughts of similar days so long ago. Those days were utterly still, except, perhaps, for the distant call of a crow. The air was damp. Dirt roads a bit rutted from recent thaws and freezes. Warm fires burning in various village stoves. How beautifully your limited palette generated bountiful memories!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Amazing how art can immediately connect us to a distant memory, vision, or feeling. Glad we connected on this one Brian, thank you!

  • cynthia adams says:

    Signs of the times in nice old village….all shutters/trim are green….chimneys pop! I like the “layers” of the land. So nice to have Mondays Cindy

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      That old wood really stood out against the snow, and yes…I might have “exaggerated” the red and green just for fun, and what fun it is. Thanks Cynthia!

  • Rebecca Rimson says:

    Where DO you ever find all your quotes? I almost look forward to them as much as viewing your latest painting. Thanks for an aesthetic, personal experience on so many levels.

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      I usually have a statement or message in mind when I go looking for an appropriate quote, making them easier to find. Google is pretty smart. I was informed today that this quote is also attributed to Albert Einstien. He was pretty smart too. Thanks Rebecca!

  • Doris Michel says:

    You’re very busy. How do you manage this? When I look at your pictures I feel yor engagement in your subject. In Germany we call this “Heimatliebe” the meaning is loving your the region, the hometown where you are grown up. But it means more the emotional relationship to the details. The stories behind the surface. The colors in the woods, the streets, the meadows and the rivers. Please have a look in our Facebook group “steinau wie es früher war” and you’ll see a similar engagement with old photos and stories. Greetings from Germany Doris

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Wonderful word Doris, that for sharing! Yes, I guess I am “All-In” with my art. The word obsessed comes to mind but I like yours much better…and even though I can’t pronounce it, I think it’s more accurate.

  • Linda Peavy says:

    Peter, this painting, with its sparse, intentional pallet, evokes the spirit as well as the landscape, of Waits River, a mere dot on the map, a town frozen in time and place, a town in hibernation, with not even a wisp of smoke from its chimneys, nor a glow from its windows nor the evidence of human or animal presence belies the stillness of the place. Though somewhat suggestive of a ghost towns in the far West, those prospectors pulled up stakes as quickly as they had put them down, leaving their camps and shanties deserted as they scrambled after those who’d gotten a headstart in chasing rumors of richer claims to be had in equally desolate places..unlike those ghost towns, this settlement perched on the banks of the Connecticut, is a monument to those Vermonters who chose to stay put. Though a significant number of their kith and kinVermonters set out for the West, lured by promises of god and free homestead and a better life, a significantly larger number held onto the land where their forebears had prospered–or had barely managed to eke out a living. Their churches, homes, barns, stores, school houses are evidence of the fortitude and perseverance of those for whom this place was–and remains–home. For me, this painting more than any of your other winter paintings, not only captures the harsh and frigid nature of this formidable season, but suggests a sense of permanence, a monument to the courage and endurance fof this state’s earliest settlers and their descendants, those whose actions and attitudes, stubborn resistence to change and whose steadfast pride in their heritage are an integral component of the culture of Vermont. I would have said I haven’t ever been to Waits River–until now.

  • Muriel Brown says:

    Our oldest grandson proposed to his fiancé in this little church three years ago. Her grandfather who is now in his ninety’s was the pastor there when he was first married. This piece evoked many memories I am sure for more people than you could imagine. You touch so many lives with your gifts of painting and remarks. This is a happy Monday!!

  • Joan Ward says:

    You never run short when it comes to all the beauty that surrounds us in Vermont. I have lived here my entire life, and have never had a desire to move. Each of your paintings brings out a newness and an awareness of our awesome state.

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thank you Joan. The more I paint the more beauty I see, and the more I appreciate sharing the experience with you.

  • Ann Faxon says:

    I love seeing your paintings. My husband was born in Pawlet. I love Vermont. Thank you for your pictures.

  • Mary says:

    This reminds me of a small area in the adirondacks where there was a road going right between 2 barns! I can’t begin to describe how your paintings make me feel other than happy and relaxed like I am on for a permanent vacation away from life’s every day problems! (better than a shrink!) anyway, Peter you have done another fine job and I love the subtle splashes of color (pines, shutters stop signs etc) thank you for displaying your work.. I hope to beable to afford a painting one day!! 🙂 regards, Mary

  • Doris Michel says:

    Hallo Peter, the German word “Heimatliebe” is pronounced like high – mudd (but you have use “t”) – lee – be (in the end don’t speak it loud, nearly link the “e” from “end”).

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      That will take some practice Doris, but well worth it. Can’t wait to try it out in a conversation. I’ll give you credit of course. TY!

  • Doris Michel says:

    Good luck! Doris

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