James Cloutier

James Cloutier (born circa 1938) is an American illustrator, cartoonist, and graphic designer, best known for his humorous cartoon illustrations that both celebrate and poke fun at the culture of Oregon.

Biography Cloutier was born in Portland and attended high school there. He spent two years in the Navy then came to the University of Oregon (UO) in Eugene on a baseball scholarship in 1958; he also studied art. While on a summer break from college, he traveled to Ethiopia to build classrooms. After graduation, because of his love for Africa, he returned there as a member of the first Peace Corps group in Kenya. For his terminal project, he produced a notable book of photographs about the small town of Alpine, Oregon: Alpine Tavern: Photographs of a Social Gathering Place. The card company was inspired by the popularity of the sentiments expressed by Governor Tom McCall regarding an influx of out-of-state migration to Oregon. After Cloutier's mother revealed that she had actually been born in Washington, he created an honorary membership category for people who had lived in Oregon at least 50 years.