Tag: pen and ink drawing

Nayeli Lavanderos creates intricate black-ink animal portraits that exist at the intersection of wildlife art, symbolism, healing, and personal transformation. Born in Mexico and now based in Portugal, her practice is deeply influenced by animal advocacy, shamanic traditions, and the Mexican concept of the nahual—the animal companion or spiritual mirror that accompanies a person through life. Each drawing begins with careful observation but unfolds through intuition, patience, and thousands of meticulously placed marks that slowly bring the animal’s presence to life. Working exclusively in black ink for much of her career,…