Ice-Out Mar 7, 2016
Ice-Out: The disappearance of ice from the surface of a body of water (as a lake) as a result of thawing.
Happenstance offered me this amazing sunset over Lake St. Catherine one evening last week.
The warm glow of the sky reflects into the small areas of open water along the shore.
Nature is truly the finest artist.
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And the Winner is….
Each month I draw one random Day in Vermont subscriber to win a free print.
Our winner for March is Kathy Lopes, of Rutland Vermont. Kathy chose “Rutland School”, and had this to say…
“Trying to choose my favorite Peter Huntoon print was nearly impossible: VT has been “Home” to me my entire life. There is nowhere else I’d rather live. I love how you capture not just the images but the heart and soul of this beautiful state! I selected “Rutland School” as it holds a lot of fond memories for me. My mother, uncles, brothers and I all graduated from RHS. I began my career in education there and I met my husband there. We were high school sweethearts — but we were the teachers! I can’t wait for each “episode” of A Day in Vermont to see if you’ve captured something familiar or something new for me to check out. I thoroughly enjoy your comments and learning about your approach and technique. Keep painting and sharing!
You just keep getting more ‘right on’ — the clarity of your colors — violet hills and orange sky — just so authentic and honest. Yowza.
Thanks so much Kathryn. As I’m sure you well know, improvement always seems imperceptible and agonizingly slow. I respect and appreciate your kind observation, especially since we both “started” on our painterly paths together all those years ago.
love scenes from Lake St Catherine…
It’s a gold mine Gail, thank you!
I love this! Being from NJ, I always fantasize of living on a lake in Vermont. This thought first came to me when I watched “On Golden Pond”. When traveling thru your state, I drive around every lake I come across. This painting makes me feel home to Vermont.
Thanks Randy, I live in Vermont, and I too fantasize about having a place on a Vermont lake. At least I don’t have far to drive!
Congratulations Kathy. Peter I am absolutely in love with your painting. You do fabulous work. Wish I could paint like you. Mine are so so paintings.
Thank you Charlene. It’s probably true that most artists are never completely satisfied with our work. But that’s a good thing as it keeps us striving for continuous improvement. If I ever meet a great artist who’s also happily self-satisfied, I’ll let you know.
Beautiful painting, The colors are outstanding!
Jean Bragg, Concord NH
Thank you Jean, hello to NH from VT!
A dance of poetry in the skies! Simply beautiful, Peter
Thank you very much, Lauren. I’ve been thinking about and looking at skies lately. They have not factored into my work too much in the past, but for whatever reason, they are making an appearance lately. Gotta follow my heart!
And you have a wonderful heart indeed, Peter.
🙂
Glorious!
Thanks David!
Wow! What beautiful colors I that sky. Aren’t we lucky to have so much available to paint! Love your work!
I know I’ll never run out of beautiful subjects here in Vermont Deb, thanks!
this one’s a beauty, Peter
Thank you Joyce, I hope all is well my friend!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
Thank Suzanne!
Peter, that is wonderful! Just beautiful! And especially welcome on a cloudy Monday here. Thank you!
Thanks Martha, yes a little color for a grey day!
Another simple: Oh WOW, in amazement…
Aw shucks! Thanks Rebecca!
I love ICE OUT. My husband and I were in CT in February during a thaw. I tried taking photos of the ice melting but was unsuccessful. Yours is painting is captures it perfectly…
Thank you Deanie, I love the transitional moments between seasons. This is a good one.
This is just what we needed to see today. Beautiful thoughts of Vermont in this beautiful painting. I’m painting a similar sky in a watercolor painting and this is more inspiration for me. This one is a real winner!
Glad I could help, and thank you. Happy painting!
Well done, Peter! To capture the brilliance of a sunset, or even the lesser but jewel-like tones of light streaming through a stained glass window, requires a certain restraint upon the part of the artist. Without such skill and sensitivity the colors can come across as overstated and gaudy, rather than spellbinding and poetic. I know this, sadly, from past experience!
Yes Brian, I too have been guilty of overstatement. It’s such a darn fine line. My strategy is to push hard into the upper atmosphere and stop just short of outer space. Once you cross the invisible line it’s close to impossible to return to earth.
Lake St Catherine is one of my favorite growing-up memories. My mother and father were amazing in that they took their 8 children hiking, picnicking, skiing, deer-seeing, swimming, etc all over Vermont. We tucked into a trailer on the edge of the West River (Rt30) at night and spent our weekend days in the great outdoors together. Thanks for posting this beautiful painting that took me back to a very happy place!
8 kids? That IS Amazing! Glad I could help rekindle some fond memories. Thanks Anne!
Pleasing art and I admire the photos….”Thar’s GOLD in that thar sky!”
Cadmium orange, cadmium, yellow, and cadmium lemon to be specific. Expensive pigments worth their weight in gold… if applied in the correct spot on the canvas. 🙂 Thanks Cynthia!
Well done, Peter! You created an “Emil Nolde” in Vermont with those valuable pigments in the right place.
Danke Doris!
Love the water scenes and especially the evergreen tree in the foreground. Beautiful sky !
Thanks Lori!
I almost feel like you painted this just for me! The views you captured in your photos and in your painting could have been taken from my yard! Who knows, maybe they were!! I am truly blessed and fortunate to enjoy such spectacular sunsets when I’m at my little piece of paradise on the lake.
I did paint it just for you Chris, and a few thousand other friends, most of who are also blessed to know and love Vermont. We’ve got it pretty good, don’t we? Thank you!
Absolutely gorgeous!!! The colors are perfect for any room. Again, thanks for sharing your talent!
Thank you Joan!
Warm and neighborly.
Just like you Chris, Welcome home!
If that is the point looking into the Big Lake opposite the State Park then that would be my Uncle’s house. Excellent painting!
Thanks Tim, this shot is from Rt 30 about a half mile south of the State Park, and just north of where the old rope swing used to be, (if you know the spot) looking west obviously.
Gorgeous! The play of the warm and cool colors is breath taking!
Thanks Betsy!
I love this too! I love all your work…and I am enjoying a print that I recently purchased from you.”Into the Light”…You have inspired me and I have begun painting again in retirement after a 30 yr break from it…I love it!! Thank you!
Thanks Susan, it always makes me feel good to think I helped a fellow artist in some small way. Welcome back and happy painting!