How do you define the primitive style?

When did you first learn that there was such a style as “primitive?”  My introduction was several years ago at my sisters’ new quilt shop—they had a Jan Patek trunk show with a sample quilt:  “Morning Has Broken.”  Oh my!  I almost cried when I saw it.  I had never made a quilt in my life, but it was love at first sight—I just had to make it!  Mom helped me.  She taught me paper piecing, needle-turn applique, measuring, rotary cutting, squaring off, and eventually binding and quilting.    Through all of this I didn’t realize this was primitive style—or that there was such a thing.   I just loved the style and didn’t know why.   As I spent more time browsing the quilt shop I began to realize so many of the projects shared this unique, rich, warm, comforting style.  I took note of the projects:  hooked rugs, penny rugs, braided rugs, punch needle, stitchery…yippee!!!  I realized that I’m crazy about applique… wool…warm, earthy tones…mmmm…who needs Calgon when you can be totally immersed in a comfort project?   What really grabs me is the realization that for ages, women have been taking simple function up a few notches to create not only useful items, but beautiful works of art!