Stephen Huneck Dies

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Stepehn Huneck’s Dog Chapel

Very sad news to report. Beloved Vermont dog artist, Stephen Huneck, who inspired so many by turning his passion for dogs and art into his life’s work, died yesterday from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was 60 years old. Apparently, he was despondent over having to lay off employees from his famous Dog Mountain Studio. My deepest condolences to his wife and family.

Brief article about his death.

Architectural Digest featured his Dog Chapel online last July, 209.

Slideshow of his Dog Chapel.

Stephen Huneck’s website.

Here is an early post I wrote about Huneck when I first began blogging. I was in awe of his dog art empire, and this article doesn’t do him justice. I will be featuring a longer tribute to him in the next few days. Many people are coming here looking for more information about him. I will try to keep you up to date. My heart is heavy.

1:08 pm Update: Eva Sollberger sent me this video she made earlier this year of Stephen Huneck talking about his art and waking up from a coma that lead to his devotion to dogs and woodcarving…

artist death dog art dog artist dog chapel dog mountain stephen huneck stephen huneck suicide

Comments

15 responses to “Stephen Huneck Dies”

January 8, 2010

Elizabeth A

God, that’s so awful. The world is a strange and terrible place sometimes.

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January 8, 2010

Moira McLaughlin

It breaks my heart. His art was so joyful and the dog art empire he built was an inspiration to every artist who tries to turn his creativity into a business. It was to me. I remember when i first discovered him thinking there is a whole world of dog love out there that is looking for expression. He made that dog love his life and gave comfort to people around the world. His death is a great loss on so many levels. Just horrible : (

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January 8, 2010

Eva Sollberger

Very sad news. I made this video about Stephen in March of 09:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0jj0Fg2LA4

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January 8, 2010

Nellie J. Sieller

The sadness is shared by admirers from around the world. His book ¨The dog chapel¨has helped many work through the grieving process for lost pets. Now we must come to grips with this new loss. Deepest sympathy to family and friends. Santiago, Chile

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January 8, 2010

Moira McLaughlin

Thank you, Eva. I just added it to the post. It is heartbreaking. He seemed so optimistic.

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January 8, 2010

Evelyn Morris Hecht

What a tragedy…..the video is inspirational and I imagine Stephen’s work and loving spirit will live on forever…RIP.
Thank you, Moira, for letting us know.

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January 8, 2010

Sandy Scantling

This is such an enormous loss … of talent, sensitivity, and love. Fortunately his creations will live on continuing to bring joy to everyone who experiences it — whether through his carvings, books, illustrations, or by visiting his beautiful chapel.
I am especially grateful to Stephen for illustrating a special poodle dedicated to our (then) 3 “fur-babies” that I will always cherish.
My sympathy to all family, friend, and fans that loved him.
Dr. Sandy Scantling

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January 8, 2010

Clair Lamb

Oh, no. I am so very sorry to hear this. What a terrible loss. What a terrible wound to his family and friends. They’re in my thoughts and prayers.

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January 8, 2010

Amy K.

I am so glad to find your blog post on Stephen Huneck. I am so terribly sad to hear about his death. His art lifted my soul – it reflected how I feel about our animals. We have a few giclees we bought at Dog Mountain – and I will cherish them. My thoughts are with his family and friends.

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January 8, 2010

Danis

I knew Stephen Huneck slightly and have visited the dog chapel many times. He also used to have a Labor Day all day dog party there, dogs running, swimming, taste testing treats and I mean LOTS of dogs off leash. I have a wonderful picture of Parma at the Dog Chapel in the snow that I will forward. Agh, such a loss.

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January 9, 2010

Grace

This is just horrible! We’ve lost a great man, artist and dog lover.

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January 9, 2010

Lara Harris

How truly sad…my heart & prayers go out to his family & pups!

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January 12, 2010

Jane

We are devastated by the tragic death of Stephen Huneck. We have been to Dog Mountain many times, sometimes to romp with our own dogs, at other times to scatter the tiny amount of ash remaining after the creation of an Art From Ashes remembrance per our client’s request. When my business partner Deb and I first met and visited each other’s home, we realized that we both had Steve’s woodcut “Greetings” hanging on the wall of the entryway. He was an exceptional artist and human being who used the aethetic to express the spiritual, as we do at Art From Ashes. We hope that his family can find the peace and comfort Steve made possible for the rest of us with the creation of Dog Mountain.

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March 21, 2013

Chris

I was very sad to hear about the passing of Stephen huneck. I did not hear about it at the time it occured.
I recently found out in conversation about his art work. My husband and I visitied the Chapel about 10 years ago or more. It was a beautiful setting and such a comfort to be able to write messages to our departed pets.
I am a serious dog lover and feel very connected to them. I understand the power that the Chapel offored it’s visitors. I have a nice selection of the art work, mugs, and rug. They all make me smile!
I placed another order recently for more of Stephen’s work.
I wish you all well and hope to return to Dog Mountain someday.
Chris

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March 21, 2013

Moira McLaughlin

Hi Chris – Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your experience at Dog Mountain. I have never been. I love the concept of it. And I feel sadness about Stephens passing, too. Just recently, his company started advertising here on Dog Art Today. I feel very honored by this. And, I was delighted to discover some Hunecks I had never seen. It turns out there are more and more of his works becoming available. I picked this one, Day Dreaming Border Collie for the ad. I just love it and thought I would share. I have a black dog with white paws (not a border collie, a mix). But he looks very much like this print. I felt as you describe…It makes me smile.
dogmt.com/index.php?page=shop.product_detailsproduct_id=1974flypage=flypage.pbv.v5.tplpop=0vmcchk=1option=com_virtuemartItemid=2
Moira

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