Hello, my name is Andrea Jansen and I’m a gourd artist, author and volunteer based in Oregon.  I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Management and spent two decades in that field in Manhattan and abroad. For a hobby, I taught myself to paint using acrylic gouache, and my love of European folk art influenced my style. In 1997 I took a leap of faith, left everything I knew, bought a vintage trawler and began cruising the Caribbean, eventually settling In Puerto Rico.

One day I was presented with two gourds from a friend's garden, with the challenge,

"See what you can do with these."

I later discovered the island's treeborn, tough-as-hardwood calabash gourd known as the Higuera. Traditionally fashioned into masks and maracas, I instead created functional baskets, lamps, purses and decorative pieces. In 2002 I became the first North American certified as an Artesana de Higuera, a title reserved for artists who, using indigenous materials, best express the beauty and culture of the island.  Fusing Norwegian Rosemaling with bright Caribbean colors on innovative carvings, I received numerous awards and accolades. For years  I attended premier Artesan shows throughout the island and juried Interrnational fairs; plus supplemented my income with classes and commissioned work.

Now that age has caught up with my hands it’s somewhat painful to handle gourds, but typing doesn't hurt so I write. I began with newspaper and magazine articles; added blogging; and am currently writing stories of 12 years in the tropics based on my hand-written journals. Thank goodness I kept those, for my memory...well, you know.

When COVID hit I decided to share the trip from Florida to Puerto Rico in blog-form for everyone to enjoy. The plan is to continue to add individual stories over time, similar to this synopsis/reflection on la Parguera after 14 years: Reconnecting with Puerto Rico. 

Please enjoy wandering through my site.  It contains photographs galore of an exceptional period in my life. Questions or comments are always welcome: andrea@andreajansendesigns.com