His work is described as accesssible and recognizably bright. It is most often a witty rendition of a dog. A former antiques "picker," the late Vermont artist Stephen Huneck (1948-2010) left behind a charming and internationally-popular body of work.
When the economic downturn began in 2008, his wife, Gwendolyn, says there were "no sales." Huneck was eventually forced to let go of all his employees; he then took his own life.
Huneck left behind Dog Mountain, a 150-acre property in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, with a whimsical Dog Chapel and his nearby studio, where he created folky depictions of dogs in different mediums, including woodcut prints and wood-carved sculpture.
His widow is keeping Huneck's artistic legacy alive and continues to operate Dog Mountain as well as an online gallery of works for sale.
She says Stephen put great value in spirituality, and viewed art as a source of healing.