Thomas Lorraine Hunt

Boats at Dock. 1930. 71cm x 82cm. oil on canvas.

Thomas Lorraine hunt was born in London, Ontario, Canada on February 11, 1882 to artist John Powell Hunt. At a young age, Hunt began studying art first under his father, then with Hugh H. Brecknridge at the Pennsylvania Academy, and eventually in other various American and European art centers. To earn a living, Hunt learned about the construction business and moved to Cleveland, Ohio to be a real estate developer where he built and sold apartment buildings. During his leisure time, Hunt continued to paint. In 1924, at 42, Hunt moved to California where he continued to his work in real estate development in Hollywood and San Bernadino. He was very involved in the Laguna arts community and was a founding member of the Laguna Beach Art Association. He taught classes, painted, exhibited locally, and helped aspiring young artists financially and as a mentor. After his wife died in 1934, Hunt returned to Canada and then to Gloucester, Massachusetts where he had painted earlier in his life. He enjoyed his time painting his favorite subjects of wharves and fishing boats. 2-3 years later, he returned to Laguna Beach and died at the Santa Ana Valley Hospital on April 17, 1938 from an ulcer operation and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery in San Bernadino. While Hunt’s earlier works was influenced by Impressionism, his later works evolved into a distinctive form of Post-Impressionism. Using a highly colorful palette, much of his works revolved around harbor scenes, landscapes, and coastals.

Biography from: Sternfinearts.com. Please click here.

Painting: Boats at Dock, from Artnet. Please click here.