December Dance Dec 5, 2016
The snow gradually arrives in fits and starts.
Here in Vermont, December is often a decidedly undecided dance between Fall and Winter.
The dancing patterns of light on the Tinmouth Channel asked to be painted.
I said yes.
12X16
Oil on panel
Wow! Inspiring!! Kathy
Thanks Kathy!
Beautiful!! Amazing process!
Thanks Cindy!
I paint in watercolor but loved seeing that come together…the colors!
Thanks Marleen!
Peter,
Your video is a work of art in itself. Love how you converted a rainy gray Vermont winter day into a beautiful piece of art.
The camera crew showed up so I had no choice. Thanks Dave!
I am impressed with your camera crew! And of course your vision.
Daniel and Anne Appelt…wonderful and talented people, and a pleasure to work with. So grateful to have them on the team.
Heaven on earth
Amen June!
Thanks for the video for showing the entire process from beginning to end. Truly amazing. Thanks again.
My pleasure Bill, thanks!
Seasons Greetings Brother, That Video was so well done . I felt like I was watching a PBS special and was truly proud to know you.
Great stuff Peter keep on inspiring us with your ART. your friend Rick…peace threw music and art……
Maybe we will have to look into that PBS idea Rick, thank you!
What inspires me to paint? Well watching a Peter Huntoon video is a sure fire way to get me excited about mark making. Thanks for doing it all so well!
You are a sweetheart Christine, thank you!
Love your paintings and video work. They have such a great attitude. I’ve shared them with my artist friends here in the north, and they have subscribed too. I would like to make videos of our plein air efforts to share. can you tell me what you’re using for equipment and editing?
I’m afraid my video man Daniel Appelt will have to provide that info. I think it’s a Sony camera, but not sure. I originally thought I could shoot and edit these myself. Lucky for you I decided to bring in someone who knew what they were doing. 🙂
Beautiful and fun to watch, thankyou! Vermont seems to be full of never ending inspiration too, fantastic!
Thanks Michele, I know I will never run out of inspiration here.
I LOVE THIS! One of my favorites for sure. Thanks for the video too, it was great! Inspiring me as usual!
Yay, thank you Susan!
I also enjoyed the up close and personal video. Wondered if the little water fall is over a beaver built dam…. Thanks so much for making a snow day here in NH enjoyable. NICE sweatshirt…Quechee was part of my stomping grounds growing up. Nice! Cynthia
You know it very well may be a beaver dam Cynthia. Thank you!
Just beautiful
Thanks Rose!
Hello Neighbor, watching you paint is so inspiring! If only I had your talent. I will live vicariously through your video presentations. Proud to have two of your prints hanging in my VT home. Love this one too!
Thanks for all the support Karen, much appreciated!
Thank you for taking that extra effort to share the process with us. I am just beginning to play with watercolor. I was struck by what you said about the transition to painting shapes, not objects. And your comment about taking the photo but then also making a sketch, the difference between a glance and an embrace. My ‘photo’ so far is a mental image of something in my surroundings that grabs me, more focused on the colors than the shapes, because I haven’t learned to sketch.I was fascinated by the colors you put down as your first layer. The video has nudged me in many new directions.
You were really paying attention Janice, a good student. Yes, remember that things (anything with a name) are of the mind, and shapes are of the eyes. If you paint what you see and not what you think you know, good things can happen.
Amazing! Loved seeing and hearing your process! Very inspiring and love love the colors that you chose!
Thank you Crystal!
I have been working and looking out the window at the beautiful snow covering and just before lunch checked out Day in Vermont. Your video and painting just made my day and just wanting to dance with joy! Thanks!!
I like that image of you dancing with joy Muriel, thank you!
A photo vs. a sketch? “The difference between a glance and a warm embrace.” You’re an artists of words — and of life, my friend. Wonderful painting, again. The content and editing in the videos just keep getting better.
Thanks so much Steve, as far as I know that’s an original quote, at least until someone corrects me. Even the blind squirrel finds an occasional nut.
Wow. You did such a fantastic job. To see you take a picture and then go back and paint it was really exciting. Love it.
Thanks Betty!
Hi Peter, another amazing painting. I love it and really enjoyed the video. Beside the step-by-step method to your finished product, I loved getting a piece of Vermont all the way here in Miami. Happy holidays!
Happy holidays from the relatively frozen north Nancy!
Wonderful!! Loved watching your process and your comment about not painting things, but painting shapes… i think that’s how you said it! I am a watercolor artist too, and LOVE your paintings!
Thank you Jeannie, this one was oil, but I tend to handle oil much like watercolor, especially in the early stages of the painting. Yes, think abstractly and trust your eyes.
Thank you so much for letting us look over your shoulder as you created pure magic. I have never graduated past stick figures but you have the ability to catch each color perfectly on something as simple as a piece of bark on a tree. I think the way you do it is the layering but i know you will never give up your secrets….!!!! .
I try to share all my secrets in every video Sue…nothing to hide. The real secret of course is what we all know…lots, and lots, and lots, and lots, of practice. Thanks!
I say ditto to all the above …I haven’t painted in awhile, but you have me inspired! Keep up the great work and wishing you the best of holidays..Be Merry…
Thanks so much for the continued support Sue, and happy painting!
Fantastic video! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks Julie!
Oh my! Once again you show the mind of a seeker, the heart of an artist and the soul of a lover of beauty. Your eyes know just how to “see” life speaking through all venues of possibility. Well done, Peter. WELL DONE!
Thanks so much Victoria, I do recognize that I operate in two different states of mind…the usual guy, and the artist who can see beautiful things. I’m always tying to spend more time as the artist, but it’s a daily challenge to keep the wolves of resistance and distraction at bay.
Thank you ! Peter for sharing a day in the life of an artist .
You bet, thanks Robin!
Love watching you paint. Love listening to you, as well. You are too much fun! Great job — you can now take that nap! 🙂
Oh I did, as soon as Daniel and Anne (video crew) left. My dog Insists on an afternoon nap. Thanks Joy!
Thanks so much. I have a hard time drawing a stick figure and was amazed at watching your process. I live your paintings. Lived in Vermont for 55 years and now in Indiana. Love to see the mountains. Thanks again!
Glad I can send a little Vermont your way each week Lyn, thanks!
Stunning
Thank you Deanie!
Are you using only watercolor? There are times in your video when you use white opaque paint to cover areas.
This one is oil Jan. When I do use watercolor I often use white gouache, which is of course opaque.
Lots of memories looking at this painting. Thanks for sharing your talent with the world.
Thanks Courtney!
The words of a poem must be spoken or heard, while a beautiful painting needs only to be seen. Well done, as always, Peter, and an inspiration!
I think all of our senses have the capacity to appreciate beauty. Thank you Brian!
Soooo enjoyed this video! You make it look so effortless! Also had the privilege to attend one of your demonstrations with my sister at the Paramount…. so inspiring! Keep painting and sharing! Love all of it!
I work hard to make it look easy Trish. Again, lots of practice. Thanks so much!
Hi there, Peter ~ Just wanted to tell you that I enjoyed the video very much! You have a wonderful painting technique and one can see the magic unfold as you create.
Have a wonderful Christmas/holiday and keep those paint brushes wet! ~ Pat
Thank you Pat, right back at you!
I love this video. What is your surface?
We miss you here at Kennedy Brothers Tuesday model session. You have a white folding chair here with your name on it so come and use it. Let Me know you’re coming and I’ll buy you a fancy coffee drink at the café.
Thanks Lillian, surface is a gessoed panel, with some texture left of course. Thanks for the invite! I have been so busy in the studio finishing commissions for the holidays I have had to miss the model sessions. I’ll see you soon in 2018!
Really enjoyed the video. While watching I realized how self aware that you had to be as you narrated it. Made me want to ask: Do you think it effects the outcome whether you are painting “on video” as opposed to times where you are “alone in you thoughts.” If you are inclined to, answer any way, or time, that you like. if not a reply, perhaps another day in another video? Best wishes to you and yours Peter. MTakac
Hi Michael! I think I have done so many demos and now videos, I’m not really self concious enough to affect the outcome much. The truth is, all I am doing is verbally articiculating the conversation in my head that is happening, and it’s the same conversation either way…alone or on camera. I don’t think I could do it for anything other than painting…because when I think about that, I don’t have any space left to think about anything else. 🙂
“painting things to painting shapes”
Thank you for thoughts to ponder and inspiration. “possibilities”
Thanks Maggie!
A nice ending to my day, very relaxing to watch this video! Thank you!
Thanks Suzanne!
Another beautiful painting Peter, you never cease to amaze me with your work. I’m not sure if I’m supposed to, hell I don’t even know if its legal, but I copy all your work to my computer and then use them as my desktop screen saver. Sometimes I just sit and watch them change.
I am happy you enjoy my work as a screen saver Bob. Thank you. I’m happy to share my work digitally. If it’s to be used publicly (on a website for example), I would expect and want an opportunity to grant permission. Physical reproduction (printing on anything, in any way, shape or form) that’s the big legal and ethical no-no.
Loved the painting and the video. One of my art class buddies in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fl mentioned seeing the video. She loved your “A photo vs. a sketch? “The difference between a glance and a warm embrace.” I was happy to see your “The Old Stomping Ground” on auction last week…That is the painting that first drew me into your gallery….but I like the one Dave and I bought!
Hello Kathy, Quite a few comments about that glance/embrace remark. The best stuff happens when you’re not trying too hard I guess. (I know it works that way in painting) Yes, I have been so busy with commissions I had to let Stomping Ground go last week. I really liked that one too. Thanks for all the support, and happy holidays!
Chris Edmond told me about your web site while at the Fisher House in San Antonio. Enjoy your painting style!
Thank you Jackie, Chris is a great guy, and he and Nancy are the best neighbors!
I look forward for your paintings on Facebook and through emails. You have been blessed with a wonderful gift. Thank you for sharing your work with us.
It took me a while to muster the courage to follow my heart as an artist, and to acknowledge and honor that gift. Sharing it with you is my pleasure Debbie. Thanks!
Did you know that from 1788 to 1815 there was a large blast furnace on the right side of the Channel. The Channel was blocked with a large earthen dam, which created a 700 acre lake. The fishing was said to be very good, with big fish. The blast furnace is described as “on the dam.” However, slag from the furnace can still be located. Furnace and dam taken down in 1815; furnace rebuilt behind Nelson Jaquay’s house. Lake became a wetland, but we don’t know much about how it evolved.
Wow, I had no idea Grant. You sure know your Tinmouth history. Thanks very much for sharing that!
I am so happy to be a subscriber now! I am dying to win a painting!
Welcome aboard Jessica!
Nice job with the Tinmouth Channel! Really like your videos.
Merry Christmas!
Thank you Cousin, and Merry Christmas to you!
You like tinmouth so much have you gone up Colvin Hill? You would love it I’m sure!
Thanks Courtney, I will check it out!
Thanks for the wonderful painting lesson!!
Hi Peter, it’s a little bit late but it’s not too late to make a compliment. This video cries for an answer in form of a painting from my own hand. I’d like to work out your way of painting. Oil is really a fabulous material. The result is like always a surplus. Greetings from good old Germany. Doris
Thanks Doris, and have fun mucking about!