Hand-drawn hometown collection
A hand-drawn celebration of North East, available exclusively at Simply The Best Nutrition.
Community
North East is a charming Chesapeake town with a walkable Main Street, waterfront heritage, and outdoor beauty all around it. The North East River, Upper Bay Museum, Elk Neck State Park, and Turkey Point Lighthouse make it a beloved home and a wonderful destination for visitors.
Where to find it
2316 Pulaski Hwy, Suite C
North East, MD 21901
Store hours
Monday–Friday: 6:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m.–noon
Sunday: Closed
Checked September 14, 2026. Holiday, seasonal, and special-event hours may vary.
The collaboration
Sky, who now lives in North East, reached out and asked whether I would be interested in creating a mug for her community. I drew the design as we talked through the places and details that help tell North East’s story.
Sky then connected me with Jamie at Simply The Best Nutrition, where the mug is now available. The project grew through personal connections and a shared desire to celebrate the town with something residents and visitors could use and enjoy.
The story behind the mug
Ashley partnered with Simply The Best Nutrition to create a mug rooted in North East.
Research and community input highlighted the Chesapeake Bay, North East River, maritime history, Main Street, and the landscape of Elk Neck.
Ashley translated each selected place and symbol into an individual hand-drawn illustration.
The drawings were refined and arranged into a continuous design that rewards a closer look.
The finished mug became a locally available keepsake through Simply The Best Nutrition.
Inside the illustration
Each element celebrates a recognizable part of the community’s history, landscape, gathering places, and everyday life.
The 1833 lighthouse stands high above the Chesapeake Bay at the end of Elk Neck.
Forests, bluffs, trails, and shoreline preserve the natural setting south of town.
Independent shops and restaurants give North East its small-town center.
The museum shares the region’s hunting, fishing, boating, and maritime traditions.
The river connects the town’s marinas and waterfront life to the upper Chesapeake Bay.
The bay’s water, wildlife, and working traditions shape the identity of North East.
The creative process
The shape of Turkey Point Lighthouse helped establish the look of this mug. From there, I layered in Elk Neck State Park, Historic Main Street, and Upper Bay Museum, using the contrasts between them to create a wraparound drawing that could only belong to North East.
A meaningful local gift
A thoughtful choice for a realtor closing gift, new homeowner, or longtime resident, the artwork turns familiar North East, Maryland landmarks into a useful keepsake rather than an ordinary souvenir.
Purchasing information