Artist. Joseph Pickett was born in New Hope, Pennsylvania in 1848; he lived there all his life. Joseph learned the art of carpentry from his father and was a canal boat builder. However, he was somewhat of an itinerant, taking odd jobs and concessions on the carnival circuit. At age 45, he was running a shooting gallery at Nashaminy Falls Grove Amusement Park where he met His wife Emily Mary and opened a general store, first on Mechanic's street, then on Bridge Street. He began to paint in the store's back room. His niece recalls, "He was always dickering around about with something." His painting period was roughly from the late 1880s until his death. He spent years on a single painting, first using house paints and the heavy Muslin from his store's supplies. Later he used oils. He used an impasto technique, creating a bas-relief type surface. He also mixed sand, shell and other materials into the pigment. His subjects were from the area around New Hope, its history and topography. Many people refer to his as a "primitive" style painter. After his death, on 12 Dec 1918 his wife destroyed most of his work, because they were "laughed at by many people." His work was forgotten and then rediscovered. Four authenticated pictures were known to survive the destruction. In 1925 they were sold for about $7.50 each. There are no known pictures of Joseph. Although he died in New Hope, PA, his grave is simply marked PICKETT in Hulmeville Cemetery, Hulmeville, Pennsylvania.
Artist. Joseph Pickett was born in New Hope, Pennsylvania in 1848; he lived there all his life. Joseph learned the art of carpentry from his father and was a canal boat builder. However, he was somewhat of an itinerant, taking odd jobs and concessions on the carnival circuit. At age 45, he was running a shooting gallery at Nashaminy Falls Grove Amusement Park where he met His wife Emily Mary and opened a general store, first on Mechanic's street, then on Bridge Street. He began to paint in the store's back room. His niece recalls, "He was always dickering around about with something." His painting period was roughly from the late 1880s until his death. He spent years on a single painting, first using house paints and the heavy Muslin from his store's supplies. Later he used oils. He used an impasto technique, creating a bas-relief type surface. He also mixed sand, shell and other materials into the pigment. His subjects were from the area around New Hope, its history and topography. Many people refer to his as a "primitive" style painter. After his death, on 12 Dec 1918 his wife destroyed most of his work, because they were "laughed at by many people." His work was forgotten and then rediscovered. Four authenticated pictures were known to survive the destruction. In 1925 they were sold for about $7.50 each. There are no known pictures of Joseph. Although he died in New Hope, PA, his grave is simply marked PICKETT in Hulmeville Cemetery, Hulmeville, Pennsylvania.
Bio by: K M
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