Grinnell artist on the verge of great things

​        Jacob Chandler-Hutt of Grinnell and formerly of Brooklyn is shown with some of his acrylic paintings for landscapes, cityscapes and outdoor scenes. Chandler-Hutt started painting in 2018 after injuring his foot and being unable to walk. He was selling his artwork at the Brooklyn Hometown Traditions Vendor Show on Saturday, Dec. 7 in the MJM Community Center.

By J.O. Parker
 
          Jacob Chandler-Hutt has always had an interest in art and painting, but it never became a reality until he suffered an injury in 2018.
        “I had a foot injury and I had to have surgery,” said Chandler-Hutt, who had a display of his artwork at the Brooklyn Holiday Traditions Craft Show on Dec. 7. “I couldn’t walk so I started doing landscape artwork with pastel chalks and charcoal.”
         One thing led to another and Chandler-Hutt ventured in acrylic paints.
         In the early going, painting was more of a hobby. He gave his paintings away to friends and family.
         “I’m not professionally trained,” said Chandler-Hutt. “It’s an amateur undertaking.”
         Chandler-Hutt said his family encouraged him to start offering and selling his paintings to the public.
That led him to have his first ever booth at the Brooklyn Holiday Traditions Craft Show alongside his mother, Robin Carmichael. And his artwork was quite a draw.
         He gets his inspiration from photos he takes on vacation, while traveling or when camping. 
      Many of his paintings are of cityscapes and outdoor scenes. One of his paintings features a lighted camping tent with a campfire and the aurora borealis overhead. Another one features a city scene with a lighted bridge and cars on the road. And others are of streams lined with colorful trees. Most of paintings are done on 11 x 16 canvases, but he does offer bigger sizes. He sells his prints from between $40 - $80.
         Down the road, Chandler-Hutt plans on taking some art classes to broaden his skills.
       “I grew up watching the late Bob Ross,” he said. “I took art classes in high school and have always been drawn to it.”
        Chandler-Hutt said he’s attended art auctions and has met two professional artists – Rodel Gonzalez and Stephen Fishwick. Gonzalez is known for his Star Wars paintings. Chandler-Hutt said George Lucas has first rights to any of Gonzalez’s Star Wars paintings.
        And Fishwick’s artwork features Disney characters and musicians such as Bob Marley and Elvis and artist Salvador Dali and actress Marylin Monroe.
     “Sometimes you don’t know what talents you have until you run into life,” said Carmichael, who was excited for her son and his future in the artwork world.
        If interested in learning more about Chandler-Hutt’s paintings, give him a call at 641-888-6118.

​         Jacob Chandler-Hutt enjoys talking with a customer about his artwork the Brooklyn Hometown Traditions Vendor Show on Saturday, Dec. 7. She purchased a cityscape acrylic painting he recently finished.