John Stoutenburg

John Stoutenburg is a celebrated regional painter, commercial artist, and a creator on the Petal, Mississippi Arts Trail.

His artistic journey began in 1978 with professional training in automotive vinyl pinstriping, a medium he quickly mastered, earning a top-five finish in a competitive 500-artist sketching and installation contest in Atlanta, Georgia. In 1981, seeking greater creative freedom beyond vinyl, he transitioned to traditional hand-lettering, sign painting, and fine brushwork. For decades, John channeled this passion into entrepreneurship, successfully launching six retail automotive art and signage storefronts across three states—most notably "John's Car Art" on Hardy Street in Hattiesburg.

Since retiring from retail management in 2016, John has dedicated his time exclusively to his favorite pursuit: custom brush-painted signs and large-scale murals. Driven by a lifelong commitment to technical excellence and high-quality craftsmanship, his public works combine striking visual storytelling with rich historical narratives.

 

​

Stoutenburg's mural on the exterior of Petal Wine & Spirits (The Wine Cellar) honors the historic origins of the Jack Daniel’s Distillery. The artwork highlights the critical natural element behind the whiskey's success: the iron-free, deep-water spring flowing from a Tennessee limestone cave, which solved the region's fermentation challenges and birthed an iconic American legacy.