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DOG ART FOR YOUR HOME
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A self-taught sculptor, Stephen started out as an antique furniture picker. "I learned so much about good design and how to build furniture that lasts forever." Luckily he was discovered after doing his very first woodcarving, an angel. Stephen then began his life as an artist. In 1994, Stephen suffered from Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome after falling down a flight of stairs which left him in a coma for two months. The doctors were not hopeful but with the help of his wife, Gwen, Stephen had a full recovery. He had to relearn everything from how to walk to how to sign his name. Just before the accident, Stephen was inspired to do a series of woodcut prints based on his dog Sally. After waking up from the coma, Stephen immediately began work on those woodcuts. The first woodcut he carved was "Life Is A Ball" celebrating his new found life. After this near death experience, Stephen had a vision to build a Dog Chapel, "A place where people can go and celebrate the spiritual bond they have with their dogs. It is the largest artwork of my life and my most personal." To a dog lover, visiting the chapel in Johnsbury, Vermont can feel like a pilgrimage. When you enter the chapel, visitors have covered the first room's walls from floor to ceiling with photos and dedications to their dogs that are now on the other side. There is so much love and loss in the room that it takes your breath away. Visit the chapel, it will change your life. |
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Very Sad NewsOn Thursday, January 8, 2010, Stephen Huneck took his own life. He had been despondent for some time and was being treated for depression. Like many Americans, the Huneck family and business had been adversely affected by the economic downturn. Stephen feared losing Dog Mountain and he and his wife Gwen's home. On Tuesday, January 6, 2010, they had to lay off most of the Dog Mountain employees. In a statement from Gwen, she said, "This hurt Stephen deeply. He cared about them and felt responsible for their welfare. I could see how devastated he felt and tried to reassure him that the most important thing to me was that we were together. I told him how much I loved him, that he had accomplished so much in his life he should feel proud not ashamed. I said how I was constantly being told by visitors to Dog Mountain how much they loved his artwork. They also told me how meaningful the Dog Chapel was to them and how grateful they are that Stephen had created it. Stephen and I discussed his feelings of despair and he said he would be seeing his psychiatrist the next day and would talk it over with her. He seemed to be looking forward to his session. He got up early Thursday morning to go see her. Stephen drove to the doctor’s parking lot and while parked in his car, shot himself in the head. I wished I could of reached him some how. Stephen gave so much love and joy to the world through his warmth and openness as a person and a great artist. I hope he will be remembered as that joyous soul."
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