Fall Farmscape Oct 20, 2014

Inspiration can come from anywhere.

Vermont in the Fall…

Everywhere.

I passed by this old farm many times.

Saving it for just the right day.

That was yesterday.

11X14
Watermedia on Panel

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Inspiration (for me) is often sparked by a strong visual response or an emotional connection with the subject.

From a tiny acorn of inspiration a painting springs to life.

I don’t fully understand this magical process….but I like it.

And I’m really glad you do, too.

A good painting is poetry without words.

Like a smile between friends.

“To be a poet is a condition, not a profession.”

Robert Frost

 

Comments Add Yours

  • Barby Carr says:

    Really like this, Peter!
    It has been a beautiful Fall. I think of it as God’s great art show 🙂
    Love to you and Mareva, Barby

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      It has been a year to remember weather-wise for sure. I wish I could stop time and savor it longer, but I suppose that is part of the appeal. With the rain this week it looks like the best color is behind us. Thanks so much Barby!

  • Michelle Blair says:

    Thank you Peter for being our inspiration! XOXO

  • David Churchill says:

    I love Vermont in the Fall with all the Fall colors. This picture captures Vermont at its best! Soon, you will start seeing white stuff fill the air and turning Vermont in a Winter Wonderland! Beautiful, until you have to shovel it and then here comes the snow plow!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      I’m not ready for the white stuff just yet David…mainly because I have a LOT of work to do to get those shovels and so forth ready. It’s always fun for the first few months, but by the time March comes…
      Thanks David!

  • Dianne TRIVERS says:

    Fabulous! I love it!

  • Sylea Freed says:

    So beautiful!!!!

  • Betsy lenora says:

    Inspiring words to live, paint, create by!
    Up from Cambridge, MA last weekend staying with friends in Bondville. Arrived pre-peak (depending where you were) and left at peak. We are so lucky that VT exists!

  • Sally says:

    When I bid on a painting, I always like to go in to Auction Archive and see what the winning bid was . . . but I found out today that the winning bids are no longer cited for each painting. I was wondering if you have changed your format or if I’m looking in the wrong place . Please advise,

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Hi Sally, nice to see your smiling face too! Yes, I decided to eliminate the final auction prices from the Archive. I like to think of the Archive as a historical record of our adventures together, and we are beginning to build quite a legacy. I want to keep the Archive focused on what’s (I think) most important… connections made on this journey together and celebrating the beauty of Vermont through art. You can still see all the final bids listed during a five minute window between auctions if you are curious. Just go to A Day in Vermont at 10:00 AM EST sharp every Monday as the current auction closes. You will see all the final bid prices there until the next auction kicks in at 10:05. If you miss that and need to know just email me a question and I’ll be happy to answer. Thanks for your understanding and big support! And in keeping with the “poetic theme” of this post…
      “There’s no money in poetry, but then there’s no poetry in money either.” Robert Graves

  • Alta Johnston says:

    Peter, you are so talented. Copying God’s masterpiece is truly a gift.

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thank you Alta, I try to make the best of what He gave me, and I’m grateful every day to be able to share it with you.

  • Deb Travers says:

    This is sooo beautiful !

  • Anna Vermeulen says:

    This one is my favorite…beautiful! Love your art work. Thank you!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thanks Anna, I am sure I have mentioned this before but it’s true…the one I just painted is always my favorite, too. 🙂

  • David Becker says:

    The essential Vermont house of my memory

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      I couldn’t agree more David, that is what I was talking about above when i mentioned “personal connection”. While I don’t have a personal connection to this specific farm, I do have a deep well of fond memories and emotional connection to other Vermont farms like it. All that good stuff finds its way into the painting, and happily finds its way out on your end. Amazing.

  • nancy edmunds says:

    Hi Peter- Some of your painting just pull me in. I’m not sure why, but this is one of them. Maybe someday I’ll understand how you do that:)

  • Peter Huntoon says:

    Me too! Thanks Nancy, stay dry and warm over there!

  • Michelle says:

    Hi Peter-

    ALWAYS enjoy your posts- words as well as images…just one technical question (if you don’t mind revealing “secrets”). Do you work fat over lean; i.e., wondering if you apply acrylics over watercolor washes? The finished paintings seem to have opaque passages which don’t look like a “typical” watercolor- I like the effect as you capture transparency and yet your pieces are more full-bodied for those passages. Perhaps it’s just that I can’t see them close up on my computer. Also wonder what type of paper you use? (Oops, that’s two questions..).
    Thanks,
    Michelle

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      No secrets here Michelle and always happy to share if I can. When I paint with oils…definitely fat over lean. With watermedia (like this painting) I use transparent watercolor with titanium white gouache. No acrylics. I have experimented with acrylics enough to know that I consider them too plastic-like and fast drying for my taste, including the newer slow drying “Open” acrylics. That doesn’t mean I won’t fall in love with acrylics next week, but that’s an artists prerogative. At least one with an open mind. Fat over lean does not really apply with the water media, but the opaque gouache does tend to come in later stages of the painting, much like oil. The key (secret?) for me, both with oil and WC, is to successfully INTEGRATE the opaque with the transparent without turning the whole thing to muck. Regarding paper, I prefer Fabriano 300# hot press (and Soft press) and also Ampersand Aquaboard and Clayboard. Happy painting!

  • Joe Roe says:

    Beautiful Peter.

  • Sue Atkinson says:

    Peter,I am so glad that you saved this subject for that day…it is truly one of my favorites! Great job!

  • Ingrid Stewart says:

    I am from Calgary, Alberta and Love your colourful, ‘lightness’ of art depicting Vermont. I will bid on this art piece as we are nearby. Do you ship to Canada … Especially if I win ;)) fingers crossed! Also I hope to meet with you tomorrow, October 23 before we head off to Boston area. When do you open? Love to buy a print or two 🙂

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Good morning Ingrid and thanks for finding A Day in Vermont on your way through! I can ship to Canada. I hope we can connect and will send you an email with details of availability. I don’t have official hours at the studio, just appointments. Thanks again and will see you soon…

  • john says:

    I just read the article in Drive about your painting. I have always liked watercolor paintings and yours are quite beautiful. I live in PA and have heard wonderful things about Vermont hopefully someday i will be able to visit, until then i’ll just enjoy your work.

  • Peter Huntoon says:

    Thanks for signing on for A Day in Vermont John! When you do visit (in your Subaru) I’m sure you will find all those good things you’ve heard are true. And maybe you can visit me and my studio when you come!

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