Hunt, Thomas (1882-1938).

Boats at Rest by Thomas Hunt (1882-1938) 8" x 10", Oil/Paper, Signed Est.: $4,000 - $6,000 Sold by John Moran Auctioneers for $4,025 on 6/21/2005

Born in London, Ontario, Canada on Feb. 11, 1882, the son of artist John Powell Hunt.

The younger Hunt studied art with his father, with Hugh H. Breckenridge at the PAFA, and in various American and European art centers.

Much of his early life was spent in Cleveland, OH where he was in the construction business and, when not building homes, painted in his leisure.

In 1924 he moved to southern California and continued the same activities in Hollywood and San Bernardino. Three years after his arrival he built a studio in Laguna Beach where he taught classes, exhibited locally, and was instrumental in establishing the art museum there in 1929.

Hunt died at Santa Ana Valley Hospital on April 17, 1938 following an ulcer operation.

Using a colorful palette, he painted decorative canvases of harbor scenes, landscapes, and coastals.

Exh: Calif. State Fair, 1923 (1st prize); PAFA, 1924; SFAA, 1924, 1927; Painters of the West (LA), 1925; Painters & Sculptors of LA, 1926; LACMA, 1927; Laguna Beach AA, 1927-35 (1st prizes); Exposition Bldg (LA), 1928; Calif. Art Club, 1932-33; Pasadena Art Inst., 1933 (award); San Diego FA Guild, 1933 (prize).

In: Bowers Museum (Santa Ana); Kansas City Museum; Orange Co. (CA) Museum.

Source:
Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940"
So. Calif. Artists 1890-1940; Artists of the American West (Doris Dawdy); Southern California Artists (Nancy Moure); Dictionary of American Painters, Sculptors & Engravers (Fielding, Mantle); Plein Air Painters (Ruth Westphal); Santa Associate of the National Academy of Design Daily Register, 4-20-1938 (obituary).