Sketches From the Sand

Since my husband and I moved to the Outer Banks, I’ve been fascinated by the two worlds that exist here: the full-timers who live it every day, and the tourists who arrive ready to live their best vacation lives.

As someone who first fell for the OBX as a tourist, I’ve come to really appreciate the beauty of watching people experience their highlight moments—families laughing, couples walking in sync, teens testing out their first attempts at flirting.

I wanted to freeze those little moments in time. So I started snapping quick candids and turning them into digital illustrations—with a little Annie-style exaggeration, of course. Oversized sun hats, dramatic tan lines, and all the beach-day attitude I can fit into a canvas.

What I’m really chasing with this series is a sense of nostalgic appreciation—for the small, fleeting, moments that stick with us long after vacation ends. For most tourists, the Outer Banks is more than a beach trip. It becomes a part of them.

If you’ve ever been here, you know exactly what I mean.