Who first popularized this style of art?

Question

One of my favorite artists is Heronim Wysocki. Also known as Harry, he is the brother of Charles Wysocki and most noted for painting Hometown Collection 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles. Both of the Wysockis paint in the same style. The exception is that Charles uses varying degrees of detail in his work, from almost cartoon-like, to vividly detailed. Charles' famous cat paintings are among his most detailed works. Jane Wooster Scott is another artist who paints in the same style as the Wysockis. There are many other artists who use this same style, but as far as I know, the Wysockis and Wooster Scott are the top names in this art style. If you are unfamiliar with any of these artists, just google their names and you'll find plenty of photos. They usally paint in a two dimensional perspective, depicting quaint country farm life, of the past, and often portray Amish settings, as well.

My question is: Who was the first artist to make this style of art popular within approx' the past 15 years?

Answer 1

This style is "Folk" art.

Canadian Maud Lewis painted in this style, but I believe it was Grandma Moses who first popularized it.

http://www.zwickersgallery.ca/maud_lewis/
http://www.csupomona.edu/~plin/women2/moses.html

Answer 2

I'm not sure if this even is a style of art, as in impressionism, cubism, expressionism, or any 'ism.' I think that their style is unique to them.