Born in Mexico, Nayeli Lavanderos creates hand-drawn works that bridge ancestral cosmology with contemporary minimalism. Her work draws from indigenous Mexican worldviews that see animals, nature, and celestial forces as integral expressions of a shared living system. Within her intricate black-and-white pen illustrations, panthers, serpents, wolves, and birds appear not as representations but as spiritual presences — guardians, teachers, and reflections of the human spirit.

Her black-and-white aesthetic recalls both Mixtec codices and the rhythmic symmetry of Huichol textiles, transforming ancient patterning into a refined, contemporary form of spiritual cartography.

Her passion for animals began early, expressed through drawings that explored their beauty, form, and spirit. After earning a degree in Graphic Design and completing an MA in Motion Media Design, her artistic path led her from Mexico City to Brooklyn and, later, to Portugal — each place shaping her creative voice and expanding her vision.

During her years in New York’s fast-paced design industry, Nayeli refined her visual storytelling and illustration skills but felt drawn to something deeper — a slower, more intentional way of creating. In Portugal, surrounded by ocean, light, and quiet, her work evolved into a devotional practice: drawing animals as living symbols of intuition, resilience, and healing.

The Power Animal series emerged during a period of personal and creative transformation, following Nayeli’s training as a shamanic practitioner in Portugal. This experience deepened her understanding of animals as spiritual allies and teachers, infusing her drawing practice with renewed presence and purpose.

Today, Nayeli’s work bridges art and ritual. Whether through bespoke commissions, limited-edition prints, or group experiences, she creates spaces that celebrate gratitude, reverence, and the timeless intelligence of the natural world. Her intention is simple yet profound: to remind us of our kinship with all living beings — and the quiet magic that animates life itself.