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FOLK ARTIST PETER HUNT
Written and photographed by Christopher Gurshin

Reprinted from American Primitive Magazine

Peter Hunt born in 1896, was a well-known Cape Cod self-taught artist whose work was influenced from early Pennsylvania / German and French Provincial folk art. These were colorfulhappy designs of hearts, flowers, birds, fish, angels, maidens’ suitors and more. Close-up of desk top

He was well known with the cape summer patrons painting old furniture among many other pieces in this peasant style in which he was recognized promoted in New York stores of Macy’s and Gimbels. Some known magazines in the 1940’s and 50’s were Life, House Beautiful, Mademoiselle that featured his works. In order to keep up supplies and orders , he hired local teenagers teaching them this painting style. He encouraged others also with a book he also produced.
	I’m sure it was my father and mother that saw all this too in painting. I particularly remember seeing a bureau they did when I was very young. My father also painted on little pie pans and even old irons of which I still have one.
I thought this was something what I should also do when I first had my shop in my early days. One difference I tried to keep in mind was making the piece appear old using older colors with an antiqued finish. I remember once painting a desk and chair set adding my own touch and giving it an early looking antiqued finish. One piece I also remember and have used it for years was a little cabinet I got in 1967 and I couldn’t resist decorating . Although I painted it a brighter yellow base, I also made it appear a little aged in finishing touches.
Top of cabinet

In 1971 at the nearby apple orchard when my daughter Vanessa was placed in a cradle while others went apple picking making it a memorable story to enjoy through the years.

I’ve also painted many pans and tins which make a nice accent piece in a country home.