When she’s not hand-crafting jewelry or capturing picturesque scenes of her travels around the world, multidisciplinary artist Ana Andras can be found in Miami, sketchbook in hand, followed by a group of dedicated fellow artists.
Andras is the head of Urban Sketchers Miami, one of many chapters that together form an international community of over 1,200 members who gather to practice the art of on-location drawing.
Hailing from Madrid, Spain, Andras developed her love for art and sketching at an early age. She relocated to Miami Beach in the 1990s and has lived there on and off ever since.
She joined the Urban Sketchers movement in 2020 after a chance meeting with the Orlando chapter. Five years later, Andras’ charming sketches of some of Miami Beach’s most beloved landmarks are now on view at the Art Deco Museum.
“Historical buildings have a story to tell, which I try to capture in my drawings and watercolors. Here in Miami Beach, Art Deco buildings are iconic and each one influences the life of their visitors and the story of Miami Beach.” – Ana Andras
Outside of her work with Urban Sketchers, Andras is currently developing her own series of journals featuring scenic sketches from her travels around the globe.
Andras has been instrumental in broadening the reach of the Urban Sketchers movement for all of Miami Beach to participate in for Art Deco Weekend. The festival has featured sketchwalks since 2020.
“I want the people in the park to feel like they’re in a class,” she says, adding that the joy of group painting is the sense of community it fosters. “Sometimes people by themselves, they don’t go out to draw but if you’re committed to the event, I will be here [for you],” she says. “It’s a celebration.”
Andras and the rest of Urban Sketchers Miami welcomed novice sketchers and artists during Art Deco Weekend for open air painting, watercolor classes, and the chance to group sketch iconic Deco landmarks like the Edison Hotel and Colony Hotel.
Ana’s sketches will be on view at the museum through March 31st.
