This week we spoke with Endrina Sánchez, a Costa Rican-born artist who designed the amazing new GrasshoppHer podcast cover. A designer, digital illustrator, and muralist, she’s a triple threat with a focus on nature and the beautiful landscapes around her. 

Endri had a passion for art early on. “I have good memories from my childhood of my relationship with art, although I grew up in a town that lacked good education, I always had a passion for creating. I participated in competitions and stood out from others.”

Endri graduated from the University of Costa Rica in Graphic Design with an emphasis on plastic arts. Digital illustration allows Endri to “play with elements, beautify spaces and be myself. I love being able to create my own illustrations that others might like. It is a way to share with others, [and] a special feeling.” After her professional training, she traveled with other artists throughout the country in a studio on wheels creating visual content. “This experience was very enriching and inspiring due to the wonderful landscapes and particular situations [I experienced].”

It was on this journey that she discovered surfing. “I fell deeply in love with the environment that surrounds this sport. Since then I have largely dedicated myself to digital illustration inspired by the lifestyle that accompanies surfing, nature, and landscape, among other things.” 

Endri currently lives in Nosara, Costa Rica, an area known for its amazing beaches and active surfing community. After the Spanish destroyed most of the natural landscape in Nosara to support cattle. Beginning in the 60’s, the forest began to rebound and the Ostional National Wildlife Reserve was established in 1983 to protect the beaches, shoreline, and natural habitats of local wildlife. Additionally, Nosara is considered a Blue Zone, an area where people commonly and comfortably live to be over 100 years old due to good air and water quality, great food, and many opportunities for active lifestyles. 

Maintaining balance has been a lifelong pursuit which has required Endri to make many decisions, and sometimes sacrifices. “I chose to live and work in a natural environment that transmits peace and freedom to me, although for this I have had to sacrifice other things such as greater stability, comfort, or closeness with my family.” Through seeking balance, Endri has learned to “take my space, not to force my tasks, sometimes getting away from my daily work processes… breathing and coming back [to something] helps me a lot.” 

Endri also maintains a healthy work- life balance by spending time with friends or her two pets; an orange cat, Suppli, and an Australian cattle dog, Nube. 

Visit Endri’s website or Instagram @vroomtraits to see her beautiful work and available products.