Gulf Road Farm Jan 9, 2017

Have you ever wondered how an artist chooses a motif?

It’s a pretty simple equation for this one.

Affinity + Abstraction = Inspiration

For me, inspiration comes from a combination of two primary sources;

Personal memories and love for a subject, combined with the pure childlike joy of playing with paint.

12X16
Oil on panel

Order a Print

Some of the most vivid memories of my childhood growing up in Vermont were on Uncle Bob’s (Scott) farm in East Poultney.

Here we are “tapping” a big maple during sugaring season, circa 1965.

sugaring-with-uncle-bob-1965

 

Comments Add Yours

  • Nancy Edmunds says:

    Another beauty. I love all of the shades of purple. You made paper & paint come alive with color

  • Deanie says:

    Your memories are wonderful. Love the painting –
    the way you capture light is special…

  • Danielle says:

    This is such a beautiful painting. It reminds me of time spent at my Grandmother, as a child, at her home in Bennington. I look forward to seeing your paintings every month. Thank you.

  • Suzi Usher says:

    I love your little outfit in the “tapping” photo.

  • Susan Roberts says:

    Another wonderful painting. I too love the old VT farm scenes, love the mountains, the total feel of this painting!

  • Steve Gilzow says:

    The painting is great, but I have to say, I’m with Suzi on the outfit. Man, a double breasted overcoat with two-tone collar/lapel! Bomber leather hat with the earflaps down! Stylin’!

  • Diane Miles says:

    Such an adorable photograph.

    Your “part of the world” is so special!

  • Judy Johnston says:

    I lived in East Poultney in the 50’s and remember hearing of the Scotts. Went to HS there for two years.

  • thomas village says:

    Most of us pine for simpler times of years gone by. But were they? Not sure. It’s all in the mind probably but those years of our childhood in the 1950/60’s were lovely, memorable simple times as far as I am concerned. That’s why I own and run an old-fashioned general store in a tiny Vermont hamlet. Presto: simple times are restored!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thanks Thomas, I’m not sure either but agree that they seemed that way. Where is your store? Sounds like a possible painting.

      • Doris Michel says:

        Hi Thomas, congrats for your store. I am a child of the fifties in Germany. I have strong memories of this time. It was clearly structured and in the beginning our house was the second in our street. I remember also the general stores we had. It’s called in german “Tante-Emma-Laden”. But they nearly all vanished. Therefore I am really curious to see how Peter will paint your fine store.

      • Peter Huntoon says:

        Now I remember Tom, I already painted your beautiful store in Tyson Vermont!

        • Thomas Village says:

          Yes Peter, you did a wonderful rendering of my store completely unbeknownst to me until I discovered it on your website after the original had been sold. My regret is not discovering your work in time to purchase the original. I’ll certainly order and take a print of the store with me wherever I wander upon retirement. when I hang up my grocer’s apron for the last time. In the meantime, thank you for lovely renderings of this magical place we call home.

  • cynthia adams says:

    Again, I echo some of the comments; but I am blown away w/ your childhood pic, when we had Kodaks, etc and waited for the developing. I used to help w/ the buckets … Great memories along w/ nice details in painting. Cynthia

  • stephanie staub says:

    The photo of you and your uncle will make a wonderful painting.

  • walter huss says:

    great maple tapping picture,should be your next watercolor.

  • Susan says:

    Went to grade school in Poultney with a Bob Scott, maybe your cousin? My sister lives in East Poultney.

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Not sure Susan, probably a relation. My mother’s sister was Ella, who was married to the Bob Scott in the photo.

  • Melanie McGovern says:

    It just reminds me of home. It’s so Vermot.

  • Mary Reilly says:

    Truly Vermont at its finest.

  • Betty Clark says:

    I have never been to Vermont so these paintings give me pleasure. My late husband and I had planned to go east the year he was diagnosed with cancer. Than you for the beautiful pictures

  • Jeanne Creel says:

    My mother was a Huntoon from Bradford, McKean County, Pa. Your beautiful paintings remind me of my years growing up in Bradford; a touch of home.

  • mike T says:

    Peter,
    You should auction a copy of the photo too!
    The painter in his youth!!

  • Joan Ward says:

    Such a wonderful memory. The painting is gorgeous! Still waiting for my name to be drawn!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Thanks Joan, maybe one of these months your name will be drawn. With or without a free print, I really appreciate all your support!

      • Chris says:

        Love the violets and greens, like a catchers mitt embracing the primary focus at roads end. Now about the young Peter in the photo, what part of the Maple Sugaring process were you performing?

  • Brian Blaine says:

    My memories of maple syrup making time looked more like your painting than like the priceless photo from your younger days. Snow stayed in the mountain area of Orange where I grew up well into spring My dad and I often scrambled through drifts and over snow banks to empty the buckets! Love the painting. Isn’t abstraction wonderful! All the variety of trees on the distant hillsides so apparent, but not a leaf or needle to be seen!

    • Peter Huntoon says:

      Good memories indeed Brian. I recall some colder days, with lots of snow, as well. Mom must have stayed inside with the instamatic camera then.

      • Doris Michel says:

        Hi Brian, it’s the freedom of painting which creates a form of extract. I love Peter’s winter landscapes. They are extracting the gloomy lights, these shades of lilac and grey and some highlights of color in the “white” sampled of different pastels. For me winter allows a fine and different spreading of colors.

  • Betsy Lenora says:

    You are an inspiration to ME! I am a photographer. Creating art keeps us in the present moment even as the results can evoke nostalgia for times gone by. A loyal subscriber since almost the beginning.

  • Rick says:

    Be time for that liquid gold soon enough! The photograph is so cool. Happy New Year Peter, all the Best.
    Rick.

  • Lillia Davidson says:

    At Stow we would go up with Charlie Gale to to his sugar bush…maple out of the tap on the side of the boiler…

  • Audrey Putnam says:

    Thanks for sharing the photo. He is my uncle also. I have a lot of nice memories at the farm growing up.
    My mother was Rena. Enjoy your website and look forward every Monday to see what you have been painting.

  • Doris Michel says:

    Hi Peter, winter in Vermont must be a attractive for you. You always find a motive and a way to express the moods and the colors fitting to the motive. The photo is nice and charming too.

Leave a Comment