these aren’t the droids you’re looking for

I’ve been a little obsessed of late about drawing fire hydrants. They will always feel exotic to me because we largely don’t have them back in England where I’m from. Seeing them here in America reminds me of Richard Scarry picture books i used to read as a kid. I like that they all look slightly different, and have different colours, little pieces of urban furniture with their own personalities. The pair above are from UC Davis, where the hydrants are white and blue; in the city of Davis they are yellow, such as the one below left.

The one above left is from Santa Rosa, California. The hydrant above right, in orange, is from Portland, Oregon, drawn during the USk Symposium.

These two are from Los Angeles. I think that one on the left needs cosmetic surgery.

This chunky white pair are from San Francisco. One thing I have been told is that it’s illegal to park your car in front of a fire hydrant, because it blocks access for firemen. Interesting.

Finally, two yellow hydrants from Pacific Grove resembling little dwarves; the bigger yellow hydrant in the middle is from Davis. And that’s quite enough fire-hydrant geekery for now. But next time you see one, have a good look at it, this funny, sturdy pipe that pokes out of the ground, and saves our lives.

By Pete Scully