Taken from article in Early Homes.

Primitive photos by Franklin and Esther Schmidt. As they spoke to homeowners, collectors and dealers, they asked them to describe the difference between "country" and "primitive". They say the best answer they got was that, while primitive pieces are indeed country, "country" objects and country decorating are not necessarily primitive. "Country pieces can be manufactured, where as primitives are one-of-a-kind and handmade", they say. The difference is critical. Primitive is not a style.