Artist Huneck commits suicide at age 60

[The Straight Story]

Artist Huneck commits suicide at age 60


LITTLETON, N.H., Jan. 10 (UPI) -- Artist Stephen Huneck, known for creating colorful rustic paintings, committed suicide in Littleton, N.H., at the age of 60, his wife, Gwen, says.

Huneck's wife said the artist, who also was known for producing children's books, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a car outside his psychiatrist's office, The Boston Globe said Sunday.

Huneck's various works of art typically featured dogs and his series of children's books focused on his black Labrador, Sally.

Huneck's wife said the artist-author simply wanted to make others happy through his works.

http://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2010/01/10/Artist-Huneck-commits-suicide-at-age-60/UPI-92721263141531/

[Dappleganger]

1. So sad.

Off topic, when dh's grandmother lived in Littleton that was one of our favorite places to take our yearly vacation.

[Odin2005]

2. Oh No! RIP.

:(

[cali]

3. His work is wonderful, and the dog chapel he built is

unforgettable.

RIP, Stephen.

[woo me with science]

5. the dog chapel (dialup warning)

[shireen]

7. what a wonderful idea!

He sounded like a lovely person.
RIP ...

[cali]

8. He was. And the dog Chapel was on his land

Two years ago when I had to put my adored and very old dog to sleep, my son and I took her there on the way to the vets.

[Gregorian]

16. What a shame. Sensitive people are the best.

It's too bad they end up having to endure pain that so many don't even know exists. Shoot, I want to get political, but I'll just spare it. Poor guy. Maybe there's a world where we can all meet up again. Dreams.

[woo me with science]

4. Some of Huneck's best:

This is so sad.

[cali]

6. I love the dog's brain. Thanks for posting these.

[shireen]

9. “Like many Americans, we had been adversely affected by the economic downturn,” Gwen Huneck wrote

From http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20100109/NEWS02/100109003/Dog-artist-Stephen-Huneck-takes-own-life

MONTPELIER — Folk artist Stephen Huneck, whose whimsical paintings, sculptures and woodcut prints of dogs celebrated his love of animals and won him a worldwide fan base, has died. He was 60.

Huneck, of St. Johnsbury, committed suicide Thursday in Littleton, N.H. His wife said he was despondent after being forced to lay off employees at his Dog Mountain studio and dog chapel.

“Like many Americans, we had been adversely affected by the economic downturn,” Gwen Huneck wrote in a letter Friday announcing his death. “Stephen feared losing Dog Mountain and our home. Then on Tuesday we had to lay off most of our employees. This hurt Stephen deeply. He cared about them and felt responsible for their welfare.”

Two days later, he shot himself in the head while sitting in a parked car outside the office of his psychiatrist, she said.



He sounded like a deeply empathic and compassionate person who took on the suffering of others as his own. I think that's a trait seen in some people who suffer from depression. From what I've read, he sounded like a wonderful human being; this world is the poorer without him.

[girl gone mad]

13. That really sucks.

stories like the one of what happened to his small business are the reason many of us lobbied so hard to get bailout funds to the people, not the fucking banksters. Voodoo economics is killing us all.

I bought all of my Christmas presents this year from local artists and craftspeople. I've stopped shopping at big box stores. I just can't support the system we have anymore, even though I have personally benefited from it. Flat world thinking and the race to the bottom for wages is causing too much devastation and hardship. We need to be a country that makes good things and supports one another again.

[shireen]

17. so true ...

it's all one big giant heart-break. :cry:

[Roon]

21. A friend's father had it all

Was in the military,then became a city cop. Later he became a federal police officer and was making the bucks. Big house, nice cars, vacations, etc. He had a VERY nice pension to look forward to.

Then he had a massive heart attack. Took everyone by surprise. He couldn't work anymore. Lost the house, had to downgrade their cars, had to move into a one bedroom apartment and he lost his pension.

He wrapped himself up in sheets and blankets in bed and shot himself in the heart.

Very tragic.

[maryf]

10. Truly sad, and another death related to the economy...

"Together, Huneck and his wife opened a 175-acre park called Dog Mountain and his suicide Thursday in Littleton came after he was forced to lay off multiple park employees, the Globe said."

[cali]

11. Maybe, but he had a long history of depression and dehabilitating physical

problems.

[maryf]

12. Many who have personal problems tend to be more compassionate...

the coincidence of the lay offs with the suicide would indicate some causality there...his work indicated a sensitive nature...

[cali]

14. I agree with that. From what I've heard

he'd suffered for quite some time.

[maryf]

15. sometimes knowing you are helping others

can keep ya going, losing that...?

[shireen]

18. yes. compassionate sensitive souls are easier to break

that's why so many of them have depression. The current economic climate, knowing the tragedy going on around them, is enough to push some people over the edge.

this is more than losing a wonderful artist. it's also a big loss for all of us who are trying to cling on to hope.

[maryf]

22. yes

:cry:

[The Backlash Cometh]

19. kick

I wish I would have had a chance to know him personally.

[Raine]

20. What sad news

he sounds like such a nice guy. :-(