Artist Spotlight: Andrea Campos
Andrea Campos is a color-obsessed visual artist and New York Times bestselling illustrator who loves encouraging play in people's lives. Her playful style has led her to work on a variety of projects, including marketing campaigns, books, toys, and even a bilingual children's book co-authored by Jennifer Lopez and Jimmy Fallon. When she's not working on her next book or designing colorful products, you can find her speaking at events and conferences, inspiring both kids and adults alike to follow their dreams.
Andrea is the artist behind Dodo Banana’s new Adventure Awaits! Pajama, a partnership with Parks California, a non-profit dedicated to providing everyone with world-class park experiences in the California State Parks System. Thank you, Andrea, for your amazing illustrations and for sharing your bedtime story with us!
When did you start creating art?
Art has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember. I've always had a knack for doodling and in High School I was always making little comic books for my friends—thanks in part to my mom, who's super creative and made art feel like a natural thing at home.
When the pandemic hit and I found myself unemployed, and really stressed by everything that was going on in the world. So I decided to create my own little artist retreat at home to try and take my mind off things. I needed some structure and an outlet for all that time, so I committed to three hours of creative activities every day. It was simple stuff, like playing with playdough, but it helped keep me sane.
During this time, drawing became a standout for me. It was something I could do safely from home, and it turned out to be incredibly therapeutic. It not only made me feel good but also helped me process everything going on around me.
So yeah, I started drawing again during the pandemic, and I haven't stopped since. It's become a regular part of my routine, bringing me joy and serving as a way to express myself like nothing else can.
What’s your favorite thing to draw/create?
You know, if someone asked me that question four years ago, I would have said people. I loved drawing people during the pandemic. I think partially because the people I was drawing were the only people I was interacting with! lol But today, I find myself really drawn to creating more imaginary characters—like a bunny who’s a ballerina or a bear driving a race car.
What do you think is the most magical thing about childhood?
The two biggest things for me are the sense of wonder and limitless imagination. I think one of the most beautiful things about childhood is that kids don’t know what is or is not possible yet, which I think in their mind makes everything possible. And on a similar note, everything is so new for them that the sense of wonder comes naturally and authentically. Trees are new! Spring is new! Fall is new! I think they really appreciate it for how magical it genuinely is.
What advice do you give to young artists?
Stay curious and open-minded. Experiment with different styles and mediums. Embrace mistakes, and just have fun with whatever you're making because, ultimately, your joy and your heart will help you grow as an artist and create art that you’re proud of.
Why is this collaboration with Dodo Banana and Parks California important to you?
I moved to California 10 years ago because I wanted to build a bridge between myself and nature. I’m originally from Chicago, where accessibility to nature and wildlife is pretty slim, so moving to California was my way of trying to build that bridge between myself and the outdoors and reconnect with nature. In the last 10 years, I have spent a lot of my free time getting to see all of the wonderful things that California has to offer.
I quickly noticed, however, that a lot of the people I came across while hiking and camping were not from communities of color and that there wasn’t a lot of diversity in the parks or even in park leadership and stewardship. So when Parks California reached out to me, I was super excited to get involved. Their whole mission is summed up as “Parks for Everyone,” and I wanted to be a little bit of that representation.
SPEED ROUND!