Martha Cahoon

Although by all accounts Martha was an excellent student she declined to attend college after her high school graduation, instead choosing to become a full-time apprentice to her father, who was a respected furniture decorator.

Working under her father she quickly mastered the restoration and decoration of antique furniture and started to gain her own reputation as an adept craftswoman.

Their foray from furniture decoration into "wall art" proved successful and both Cahoons went on to produce numerous works over the ensuing decades.

[3] While much of their earlier furniture decoration shared the same Pennsylvania Dutch inspired motifs, their easel paintings marked the first significant diversion in Ralph and Martha's palettes and styles.

Although Martha did adopt portions of her husband's style her work remained softer and less playful, focusing more on idyllic and soothing subjects.