Lobster Roll Feature

Summer on a Roll: Illustrating a New England Tradition

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$15 lobster roll from the pier at Old Orchard Beach, Maine (2024)
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lobster roll from Lone Pine Brewing in Old Orchard Beach, Maine (2024)
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lobster roll from The Shipwreck in Old Orchard Beach, Maine (2024)
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lobster roll from Mike’s Clamshack in Wells, Maine (2024)

There is nothing quite like the New England summer, and for me, that season is defined by a single, buttery icon: the lobster roll.

This series is my visual love letter to the ultimate regional staple. While the “Cold vs. Warm” debate rages on, I’m planting my flag firmly in the “warm with butter” camp. There’s something about that simple, decadent combination that feels like the height of coastal luxury.

From the Shack to the Studio

These illustrations didn’t just appear; they were “field-tested.” I spent the peak of the season hopping between Maine seafood shacks, local favorites, and those indispensable roadside trucks that always seem to have the best view.

The creative process followed the seasons:

  • Summer: Raw sketches captured in the July heat, fueled by salt air and napkins.
  • Fall & Winter: The quieter months were spent in the studio, refining the linework and layering the colors to capture that perfect, golden-toasted glow.

I’m thrilled to finally share this “taste of summer” with you—a permanent reminder of those sun-drenched days, even when the coast is a bit chillier.