Illustrating Plovers: Bruce Hutchinson

Illustrator Bruce Hutchinson has become passionate about piping plovers. This is perhaps not surprising, given that he shares an affinity for Maine beaches with these tiny endangered birds. Raised in Waterville, Maine, Bruce’s large Catholic family squeezed into their Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser and drove to Reid State Park in coastal Georgetown almost every Sunday after mass. Tuning into this deeply ingrained ocean connection, Bruce and his wife would go on to live in Cape Elizabeth once their children were grown. When local author Andrew Fersch reached out to Bruce to collaborate on a children’s book about the plovers, set on nearby Higgins Beach, Bruce was immediately intrigued. Bruce, a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, and longtime professional illustrator, has put his considerable talents to use on this project, which is due to be published in August. Join our conversation with Bruce Hutchinson today on Radio Maine.