037: Jennifer Sablan Andrade

Also known as Jenny Chamorrita, Jennifer Sablan Andrade is a CHamoru artist and illustrator who shares her culture by bringing fun and whimsical characters to life.

Andrade’s work captures the essence of her culture through various mediums, including acrylic paintings, digital illustrations, and tangible products. Her journey as an artist is driven by a desire to preserve her identity and share the charm of her CHamoru heritage with a broader audience.

Andrade’s choice of art form has evolved over time, beginning with acrylic painting due to its affordability and quick drying time compared to oil paints. This practicality allowed her to create more efficiently and refine her skills. Over the years, she transitioned to digital illustrations, utilizing tools like the Procreate app to bring her ideas to life. This shift has enabled her to produce a wide range of products, from prints to merchandise, all while maintaining the unique charm of her artistic style. Her work often features iconic symbols from her culture, such as Ko’ko birds, carabaos, and Latte Stone pillar cottages, which have become signature elements of her art.

The influence of Andrade’s cultural heritage is evident in every piece she creates. Living away from Guam, she immerses herself in CHamoru culture through extensive research and visits to resources like Pinterest and bookstores. This constant connection to her roots fuels her creativity and ensures her artwork remains authentic and meaningful. She idolizes figures like Beatrix Potter, who brought their imagination to life despite societal constraints, and she aspires to do the same by bridging her cultural heritage with whimsical, storybook-style illustrations.

Andrade’s creative process is both structured and flexible, allowing her to navigate challenges such as creative blocks and imposter syndrome. When facing a lack of inspiration, she takes breaks, changes her pace, or sets a conducive atmosphere in her studio with music. These strategies help her return to her work with a fresh perspective, reminding her to have fun and enjoy the creative journey. She emphasizes the importance of capturing ideas as they come, whether through doodling in a sketchbook or noting down visions that spark her imagination.

Through her art, Andrade believes in the vital role artists play in society: preserving cultural heritage, capturing historical moments, and bringing joy and inspiration to others.

“Tip #1: once an idea or vision enters your mind. You must capture it, write it down or lose it. It may or may not come back to you. That could be the very thing that will start you off on your artistic journey and prosper from it.

Tip#2: Develop habit of simply doodling in sketch or journal.

Tip# 3: Research really helps. Look at some historical objects & artifacts. This can help create some theme to start with.”

— Jennifer Sablan Andrade

To read Jennifer Sablan Andrade’s full interview, continue reading below. Also, follow her on Instagram (@jennychamorrita), YouTube (@jennychamorrita) and her website (www.jennychamorrita.com). Thanks again!

Please introduce yourself and describe what you do.

Hafa Adai! (hello) My name is Jennifer Sablan Andrade. I am an artist & illustrator. I have a love and interest for creating original artwork and illustrations inspired by my CHamoru cultural heritage from the tropical island of Guam.

How would you define art?

I think art is produced by reason of imagination a calling to capture, create & manifest idea into reality. Preserving one’s existence and identity.

Why did you choose your art form?

When I started out making artwork back then, I chose acrylic painting on canvas because it was way more affordable for me than oil on canvas, and it dries faster than oil paintings. I just wanted to create faster. Now, after so many years, my artwork has evolved. I also create digital illustrations to make products.

How does your background (education, culture, etc.) affect the work you make today?

I wanted to bridge the gap and bring inspiration from my culture to creating cute and whimsical artwork and illustration while preserving my heritage.

Who do you idolize?

Beatrix Potter, she brought her imagination to life. In her world, in her own culture, at the time. A woman who went against tradition as a woman and created her first children storybook we love today. Peter Rabbit and other critters.

Where do you get your inspiration?

Since, I am not living in my homeland Guam. I get my inspiration through researching Chamorro culture and language online. I go on platforms like Pinterest. I also go to book stores like Barnes & Nobles to the children’s storybook sections to get inspiration.

What do you do when you’re stuck on an artwork or lacking motivation or inspiration?

If I start to get like some block. I take a break to do something else or change the pace. Or when imposter syndrome creeps in, when I feel like I am too critical of my own work I come back to it with fresh mindset to remind myself just have fun. I would also take power naps to ease my mind, forget about it and come back to it later. Playing background music seems to help me as I stage my studio environment for creativity & fun. I set the atmosphere in my space for other art forms like playing music while creating my artwork from home.

What do you like incorporating most into your art?

Right now, mostly Ko’ko birds, carabao’s, Latte Stone pillar cottages.

What is something that you add to your art as your signature?

I am known for my, not so anatomically correct ko’ko birds and carabao’s. My carabao’s come in different colors like blue, pink, red. Recently, I have been illustrating more Latte Stone pillar-shaped cottages and houses. Inspired by cottage core theme. I am gearing towards a series of storybook style illustrations as well.

Take us through your process for making art.

I draw out my ideas from inspiration either on piece of paper, sketchbook or digitally using the Procreate app.

I then choose my color palette and work with digital brushes in Procreate

I work within layers.

Once I am finished with my digital illustration, I then download illustration as PNG and in CMYK color profile.

I then proceed to make products from home with my illustration or sometimes, I outsource to a company to make it for me when I can afford it.

What do you struggle with the most when making art?

I get scattered brain with so many ideas and possibilities with what I can do with my illustrations that it can be so overwhelming from excitement.

Another is imposter syndrome, is my work good enough, critical of my artwork & illustrations. I remind myself it’s a journey to evolve and improve as I move forward in my creativity.

What role do artists have in society?

I think it would be about preserving cultural heritage, capturing moments in history, teachable moments, creating usable products for our lives. Bring joy, encouragement, and laughter through our work.

What characteristics do you think all artists share?

I think a lot of us are escape-artists. We have highly active and wild imaginations. It’s like how inventors bring their imagination into reality to solve a problem, an idea or vision can nag us till we create it.

What’s your favorite place in Guam?

It’s hard to have just one favorite place in Guam. My favorite places are the beaches, look-out points around Guam, CHamoru village, the island fairs, and spending family time together, like having BBQs.

How has your artwork evolved over time?

A while back, I started out working with just acrylic on canvas. But since I received an iPad for holiday gift. I have been using Procreate, I have evolved to creating digital illustrations that are more efficient for making tangible products from my artwork.

Why did you choose to become an artist?

I decided not to be afraid to become an artist and call it my happy place. To get into my creative side as a way of a positive outlet. But to really take what lights up my imagination and create some cuteness and child-like illustrations. Taking inspiration from my CHamoru cultural heritage and try capture that and make some cheerful, whimsical artwork & illustrations.

Is your art geared towards a specific audience?

I noticed majority women appeal to my artwork.

Do you have any tips for aspiring artists?

Tip #1: once an idea or vision enters your mind. You must capture it, write it down or lose it. It may or may not come back to you. That could be the very thing that will start you off on your artistic journey and prosper from it.

Tip#2: Develop habit of simply doodling in sketch or journal.

Tip# 3: Research really helps. Look at some historical objects & artifacts. This can help create some theme to start with.

037: Jennifer Sablan Andrade

038: Karli Pablo

036: Luke Scott