Tag Archives: east

Sandy Hook lighthouse sketch by Chandler O'Leary

Guiding Light

Okay, so the title of this post is not an accident. Apparently this lighthouse actually was a guiding light—on the soap opera of the same name, that is. But I’ll have to take Wikipedia’s word for that one, because vintage soap operas aren’t really my cup of tea.

Sandy Hook lighthouse sketch by Chandler O'Leary

Vintage lighthouses, on the other hand, are exactly my cup of tea.

Sandy Hook lighthouse sketch by Chandler O'Leary

And when I found out I was standing inside the oldest working beacon in America? Well, I paid extra close attention.

Sandy Hook lighthouse sketch by Chandler O'Leary

Sandy Hook Light celebrated its 250th anniversary this weekend. I couldn’t be there for the festivities, but the Tailor and I spent a day at Sandy Hook a few years ago, and I did these sketches then. It was a flawless summer day—not the kind of weather you need a lighthouse for, but certainly the conditions that would show off its best features.

Sandy Hook lighthouse sketch by Chandler O'Leary

Amish buggy sketch by Chandler O'Leary

Buggy ride

Now, commuting by cowboy hearse or by dinghy might seem a little unusual to us, but for some people, just a family station wagon would be downright outlandish…

This sketch was a complete—and happy—accident. The Tailor and I happened to pass through Amish country on a Sunday, so I figured nobody would be out and about. We stopped just so I could draw a few farm scenes, but while I was at it these folks passed by.

All I can say is I’m glad I had a pencil on me (so I could jot down a rough sketch more quickly)—and that buggies move pretty slowly.

Blue Rocks sketch by Chandler O'Leary

Water taxi

Now, Texas might be home to an outlandish vehicle or two, it’s true, but at least it was in keeping with the whole Texas theme. In Nova Scotia’s fishing villages, you’re more likely to see boats “parked” behind houses than cars. Since it took me three times as long to drive to this spot as sailing would have done—well, it’s not hard to see why.