Mexican-Puerto Rican artist Jazmin Rodriguez has transformed her deep love for Chicago into a celebrated series of colorful digital prints that capture the soul of the Windy City. The 37-year-old artist, who grew up in Humboldt Park, launched her "Chicago Forever" series in 2021, creating what she describes as visual love letters to her hometown through vibrant artwork featuring iconic landmarks, neighborhood gems, and beloved local spots.
Rodriguez's artistic journey began in childhood, encouraged by her mother who told her that if she could draw on something, she should. Her "Chicago Forever" series showcases digital prints that playfully reimagine city landmarks and Chicago emblems through her unique lens, incorporating whimsical doodles, collages, and bold patterns. The series draws inspiration from folk art she remembered from her grandmother's house, along with influences from flowers and pop culture.
As a teenager, Rodriguez became deeply involved in Chicago's music scene, frequently attending rock and punk shows at venues like Metro and Bottom Lounge. "Street teams were a really big thing then," Rodriguez explained. "I would start making my own posters and posting things online, and I really think that scene probably helped me with social media. That's when [my art] really started getting out there."
Rodriguez spent two years at Columbia College Downtown, initially studying art while considering related career paths in business or talent management. However, her artistic journey took an unexpected turn when she decided to go on tour with friends who were in a band, helping them create and sell merchandise. This experience led her to Oakland, California, in her early twenties, where she felt able to grow as a working artist before eventually returning to Chicago.
When Rodriguez moved back to Chicago years later, she found a different city – or perhaps a different version of herself. "I don't know if Chicago had changed or I also had changed. I had a different confidence inside, in the way that I was creating," she reflected. "I think there was this kind of synergy between me and Chicago at that time. I was like, 'Let's go, I'm not gonna stop.'"
Her artwork has become more than just personal expression – it has helped her connect with fellow Chicagoans and discover new aspects of her city. "There's this love for the artwork, yes, but it's more this shared love for this city," Rodriguez said. "It's more inspiring than just drawing a business. It's like, what else can we do? How can we love our neighborhoods? This really feels like another kind of community that I didn't feel before."
The pandemic year of 2020 marked a turning point in Rodriguez's career, as she began spending 10-12 hours daily on her art and transitioned from traditional drawing and painting to digital art – the medium for which she's now best known. When her partner's job temporarily moved them to Oklahoma for six months in 2021, Rodriguez began drawing her hometown from afar. The series took on deeper meaning when she returned to Chicago and her father passed away.
"By the time I got back [to Chicago], my dad passed, and he was like the most Chicago guy," Rodriguez shared emotionally. "And then I couldn't stop, because the reason I love this city so much is because my family came here, they made this home and they taught me and my cousins how to love something so much. So then it became like a love letter to my dad. Then it became like a love letter to my family. Then it just became something bigger."
Rodriguez's prints feature an impressive variety of Chicago locations, from major cultural institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago Theatre to beloved neighborhood spots such as Roeser's Bakery, Rainbo Roller Rink, Central Camera, and Taquerías Atotonilco. Music venues like Schubas and Metro also appear in her work, reflecting her deep connection to the city's music scene.
What drives Rodriguez to select specific locations goes beyond their visual appeal – she's most inspired by the stories behind these places. "There's a lot of Chicago to draw," Rodriguez noted. "A huge part of what I'm doing is telling this story. Even when people ask me to draw their favorite restaurant, I ask, 'Can you tell me a memory there?' Because it'll inspire me to figure out what colors and what patterns and how I'm gonna do it."
As Rodriguez achieves career milestones she never expected – including having her artwork sold in the Chicago Architecture Center's shop – she's also looking toward future artistic endeavors. She hopes to return to traditional drawing and painting while continuing her digital work. "The Chicago series is kind of like a return to self, a return to what you love, a return to those little, old, nostalgic memories," she explained. "And I want to go back to painting, because I really, obviously thrive in that. I just hope that people are along for the ride to see that and that they get excited and look forward to when I share that."
Rodriguez has also collaborated with local media organization Block Club Chicago to create a special, limited-edition print commemorating some of their favorite stories, which is available as part of Block Club's 2025 Print Subscription Series. Art enthusiasts and Chicago lovers can learn more about Rodriguez, follow her on social media, and purchase her artwork through her website, where her "Chicago Forever" series continues to celebrate the city she calls home.
