Artist: John Hutchinson

50 years ago I embarked on my life in art by painting 19th century sailing vessels. Since then my artistic horizons have broadened. Among the subject matter of my painting have been dog portraits, my children, maritime views, wildlife scenes, custom-ordered liquor bottle labels, and antique, wooden-bodied beach wagons. When possible I prefer to paint a scene that tells a story. I regret not having executed more wood carvings.

In 2015 I sailed into uncharted waters when I wrote a book for children. It’s the story of an adventuresome young field mouse who makes an unsanctioned visit to the seashore. “Bertie’s Adventure At The Beach” is exquisitely illustrated by my daughter, Scout Hutchinson. On the heels of its success, two more ‘Bertie’s adventure’ books followed. In the second, Bertie and his cousin search for a buried pirate treasure. In the third, they go on a fishing trip down to Monomoy Point here in Chatham. Naturally, they make that expedition in an antique, wooden-bodied, antique beach wagon-.