Jim McHugh • Illustrator

08/29/2026

Everybody loves Dolly 🩷

That’s a sentiment I’ve heard several times this week and it’s so true. What a wonderful human being Dolly was, and we keep learning more about her. I think my favorite part about Dolly is that she could laugh at herself. That’s a special skill that more people need. She persevered through a lot and always managed to stay joyful. 🌈

What a rough week of losses. 💔

08/14/2026

I love pelicans! 🪽
I drew a sketch of this on the beach the other day and wanted to color it in. We don’t see many pelicans here in Jersey, just occasionally and it’s a treat! In Charleston, they are all over. On the beaches, you can see them diving for fish or skimming the water in a perfect formation with friends. 🌊

08/05/2026

Paint night is back! 🎨☕️📚

Later this month we’ll be joined by Jim McHugh Jim McHugh as he leads another paint night! Bring your best Bob Ross vibes and be ready to paint under the sea! This will be a ticketed event with limited spots available! Tickets available at the link in comments.

Aug 23 5-7pm. Doors open at 4:45. Cafe will be open for purchases during the event!

07/31/2026

100th Issue of Ocean City Magazine! 🌊

I am so proud to be a part of this incredible celebration of Ocean City Magazine's 100th issue. The vision from Stef Godfrey, the art director and publisher, was to celebrate all of the previous covers in a fun retro postcard way. For me, it's an honor to highlight just a few of the many artists and photographers that graced the covers over the years. Paying respects to other creators, like the way musicians cover songs; it's all done with love and admiration! ✌

Some of the cover covers (LOL) that I want to point out without giving away too much of the mystique: The letter "C" is a cover by my favorite art teacher of all time, Mrs. Ginny Mulford! Without her help and patience, I would have never gotten into art school which set me up for my illustration career. I love her version of Edvard Munch's The Scream, but on the OC boardwalk. Those seagulls can be scary! Thank you, Mrs. M, I am so grateful. 🙏

The letter "E" is a cover by Bogy, Ocean City's legendary artist who is hosting The Art of Surfing right now! Go see and support his work as well as many other awesome artists (and friends of mine) at the Music Pier through Saturday (8/1) and support local art! I was there last night and saw so much spectacular artwork, there was a great surf film playing by Flat Water Surf Club, and live music jamming out. The vibe was so joyous! 🏄🏻‍♀️

The last letter I'll mention is the "I"- which is a cover of a cover of a cover! Basically, the original is a photo by my good friend, Rob Weiss. It's an awesome photo in Rob's superb style and lighting, of Cooper Lysinger. Then, Tim Smith, the King of Portraits, did a painting based on Rob's photo for the OC Mag cover. So for me, it was a treat to be able to honor these guys all in one little slice of an illustration! 🎨

Thank you so much, Ocean City Magazine (Stef & Bill) for your continued love for this little island that is so dear to many of us! Your dedication to small business, artists, and all things Ocean City for 100 issues strong is a remarkable achievement! Long live tangible media. Pick up your copy of Ocean City Magazine at your favorite local coffee shop or business around town. 🏆

07/28/2026

Once, when I was a kid, a bird landed on my head and started pulling on my hair. It was a typical summer day, I was in the backyard just playing in my sandbox with my Star Wars figures as usual. When suddenly I felt a yanking sensation on my head. Back then, I did have a cowlick or two in my messy locks, so I can see how a little Tufted Titmouse would be tempted to borrow some nesting material. Now that I’m into birds, that’s my best guess as to what species might have done this type of thing. I can’t really say for sure. I know at the time I was pretty scared and I ran into the house to tell my mom. 🪶

It’s one of those stories that I think of often when I’m observing birds. It’s also a story that my mom used to bring up at times. Now that she’s gone, the story lives with me only. That’s a part of grief that is hard to explain. How some fires burn out because the keepers of those flames are no longer there to tend to them. 😢

I started working on this piece a couple of weeks ago as I was juggling other projects. One day, in my feed, I see an image of a gentleman with a bird on his head, pulling on his hair just like in my drawing! It was a beautiful sketch that my buddy drew of an author he was recently inspired by. A book he was highly recommending about knowing your impact on others, or something to that effect. It sounds very It’s A Wonderful Life to me, which I’m all for. It’s called Theo of Golden by and Tim said he thinks I’ll love the book too. I’ll report back when I check it out. 📚

07/18/2026

I am Jimothy! 🦝

I mean, I have been called it before. But I’m talking about that raccoon from Seattle who’s stealing all the hearts. He’s a little odd-looking; they say Jimothy was born with a shortened spine. He’s not like the others, and as in so many underdog stories, that’s why we’re enamored by him. Stay safe out there, buddy! ✌🏻

Jimothy tees and more: https://www.teepublic.com/t-shirt/96029053-jimothy?store_id=226440

07/07/2026

Let's paint and drink some delicious drinks! ☕️
Seating is limited, so be sure to grab your spot:
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Z2F6QFTN0KQ64/checkout/OBIR4EM2XYHSS2GGWJWQE3XU

Paint night! 🎨☕️📚

Later this month we’ll be joined by Jim McHugh Jim McHugh as he leads a paint night! Bring your best Bob Ross vibes and be ready to paint some happy little books! This will be a ticketed event with limited spots available! Tickets available at the link in bio.

July 23 6-8pm. Doors open 5:45pm. Cafe will be open for purchases during the event!

07/03/2026

A little PSA for our favorite blue-blooded buddies that go back millions of years ago. 🩵

I think horseshoe crabs can be misunderstood, if you don’t know them very well they look a little sketchy. But really, they are harmless to us humans. They appear to have a ton of claws, but if you look closely they can’t even pinch. They are docile and are usually on land because the tide washed them up. They just need our help to get uprighted from time to time. 🔝

So if you see an upside-down horseshoe crab, with feet on the air and head on the ground, try this trick and spin it: Simply grab the crab by the edge of the “horseshoe” part and carefully flip her over. 🦀 That’s it! Thank you. You just did something great, you saved the life of a truly magical creature. ✌🏻

06/08/2026

Vote here! https://www.renscoffeeandbooks.com/art-contest-info

06/02/2026

🎨 ONE LAST PAINT PARTY!!

It’s going to be so hard to say goodbye to Eight & Sand Beer Co after 10 years, 😭 but we’re doing one last Paint Party for old time’s sake! 🍻

✅ Mark your calendars for Thursday, 6/18 at 6pm! Seating is limited so be sure to sign up: https://checkout.square.site/merchant/Z2F6QFTN0KQ64/checkout/2I5SH7ZXKP27SVAJAB6OSIEE