Hand-drawn hometown collection
A hand-drawn celebration of Geneva, available exclusively at Bad Guy Bagels.
15 oz ceramic mugMicrowave safeDishwasher safe
Community
Geneva is known for its beautiful Fox River setting, historic streets, and a downtown that invites people to linger. Third Street shops, Island Park, the courthouse, Fabyan Windmill, and traditions like Swedish Days make the city feel special to residents and visitors alike.
The collaboration
We have dear friends who live in Geneva, so after creating the St. Charles Mug, I knew I wanted to make a Geneva design too. The city’s beautiful setting, lively downtown, and places our friends love made it a natural community to celebrate.
Researching the artwork introduced me to parts of Geneva’s story that I had not known before. The Viking ship was especially fascinating, and learning about the community’s history made the drawing process even more enjoyable.
The story behind the mug
Inside the illustration
The river runs through the illustrated scene, with a bridge, riverside buildings, and a sailboat bringing Geneva’s waterfront to life.
The distinctive tower and four sails of Fabyan Windmill appear in the Geneva artwork, celebrating one of the area’s recognizable landmarks.
The courthouse’s broad facade and central entrance appear in the original Geneva sketches, capturing a familiar downtown landmark.
The museum’s name is visible on its illustrated storefront, adding a specific connection to the people and stories of Geneva.
A streetscape of individual storefronts appears in the drawing, reflecting the scale and character of Geneva’s historic downtown.
Journal · Behind the drawing
Friendships in Geneva and the Fox River shaped a companion mug with its own identity.
Read the story
