Traditional artist rooted in Colorado, crafting illustrations that reflect the untamed beauty of our more than human kin.

This work-in-progress bald eagle drawing by Brianna LaVarta showcases the intricate beauty of North America’s wildlife. Created with colored pencils on toned paper, the piece highlights the eagle’s rich feather textures and piercing gaze.

My work is deeply rooted in the awe and reverence I feel for the natural world.

A beautifully detailed squirrel illustration perched on a mossy tree branch, paired with a charming rabbit print. The earthy tones, antlers, and natural elements create a warm, woodland-inspired aesthetic.
Telluride Colorado - Brianna LaVarta, Native Fauna Art
This work-in-progress bald eagle drawing by Brianna LaVarta showcases the intricate beauty of North America’s wildlife. Created with colored pencils on toned paper, the piece highlights the eagle’s rich feather textures and piercing gaze. Surrounded
A colored pencil illustration of a raccoon with its paws held together, surrounded by vibrant orange poppies against a dark gradient background. The artwork is placed on a wooden surface, accompanied by drawing tools in a woven basket, a trailing pot
Pencil line work of a pine marten. The sketch includes small leafy branches, and the illustration is drawn on tanned paper surrounded by drawing pencils and plant leaves.
Brianna LaVarta, Native Fauna Art
A beautifully detailed illustration of a mountain cottontail rabbit, captured in a moment of quiet alertness among delicate yellow wildflowers.
Brianna LaVarta Wolf Kisses | Native Fauna Art
Winter Woodlands Brianna LaVarta | Native Fauna Art
A colored pencil illustration of a European robin perched on a textured, moss-covered branch, drawn in a sketchbook. The bird's feathers are rendered in warm oranges, browns, and grays, with intricate detail and soft shading. The date "3-21-2024" is
A delicate colored pencil illustration of larkspur flowers in shades of purple and blue, with green leaves and golden accents, drawn on textured paper. The artist's hand, clad in a cozy dark green sweater, holds a well-worn blue pencil. The compositi
An open sketchbook on a fur pelt shows two blue pencil drawings: a songbird and a pine marten on branches. A skull, antler, and green foliage surround the sketchbook on a wooden surface.

Recent Works

“Caelum et Ruina” | Sky & Ruin

Colored pencil drawing of a bald eagle perched on a branch, with detailed feathers in shades of brown, white, and gray. Its sharp gaze and yellow beak stand out against a background of earthy-toned geometric patterns. - Brianna LaVarta

With its striking white head and piercing yellow eyes, the bald eagle symbolizes strength, resilience, and freedom.

Soaring on broad wings, it commands the sky with a powerful presence, its sharp gaze scanning the land below. Found near lakes, rivers, and open landscapes, these majestic birds build massive nests high in the trees, returning year after year to raise their young.

Formidable hunters with powerful beaks and sharp talons, they embody both patience and precision. Once on the brink of extinction, their recovery is a testament to nature’s endurance. Whether gliding over plains or perched in quiet observation, the bald eagle reminds us of the wild beauty that endures — and the need to protect it.

“Little Guardian of the Plains”

A colored pencil drawing of a prairie dog sitting among blue flowers, with warm brown fur and black ink geometric designs framing it. The artwork rests on a fur surface, accented with dried flowers and an antler.

With their watchful eyes and stout bodies, prairie dogs symbolize community, vigilance, and resilience.

Dwelling in sprawling colonies known as towns, they shape the grasslands with their intricate burrow systems — a testament to cooperation and survival. Found across open prairies and arid plains, these social creatures emerge from their tunnels to stand guard, their sharp barks echoing as they warn their kin of approaching danger.

Though small, prairie dogs play a vital role in their ecosystem, enriching the soil and providing food for countless predators. Once targeted and driven from much of their range, their persistence speaks to nature’s quiet strength. Whether popping up from a burrow or gathered in chattering clusters, prairie dogs remind us that even the smallest beings hold great importance in the wild tapestry of life.

Explore my Blog: The Wildbound Sketchbook

  • A colored pencil drawing of a prairie dog sitting among blue flowers, with warm brown fur and black ink geometric designs framing it. The artwork rests on a fur surface, accented with dried flowers and an antler.

    Little Guardian of the Plains: A Tribute to the Misunderstood

    The windswept plains of Colorado may seem quiet, but they are alive with stories — and few tell them better than the prairie dog. As fields that once held generations of prairie dogs continue to disappear, it's more important than ever to recognize the value of Colorado's grasslands. Learn more about these incredible creatures, their vital role in the ecosystem, and the efforts to protect their home in my latest blog post.

  • A detailed colored pencil drawing of a bald eagle in progress, featuring rich brown feathers with intricate shading and a sharp yellow beak. The eagle’s head is fully rendered with white feathers, while part of its body remains unfinished. The drawin

    Honoring the Eastern Plains: The Start of a New Collection

    When people think of Colorado, they often picture the towering Rockies, but the eastern plains deserve recognition too. These wide-open grasslands may lack dramatic peaks, yet they offer a different kind of beauty — one that invites you to slow down, look closer, and uncover a landscape rich with life, history, and quiet resilience. From swaying grasses to the calls of prairie wildlife, the plains hold a presence all their own, reminding us that strength often thrives in unexpected places.

  • An open sketchbook on a fur pelt shows two blue pencil drawings: a songbird and a pine marten on branches. A skull, antler, and green foliage surround the sketchbook on a wooden surface.

    Discovering my Creative Voice through the Practice of Daily Sketching

    In this blog, I share my journey of reconnecting with my creative voice through a daily sketching practice. Over time, I’ve discovered that my voice is both subtle and powerful, revealing itself in the subjects, shapes, and softness of my linework, particularly in my love for wildlife and botanical details. This practice has taught me to value my art for what it is, rather than what it “should be,” and to embrace the beauty of simplicity and discipline. Through sketching, I’m learning to create with authenticity, letting my art reflect my unique, quiet essence.

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The windswept plains of Colorado may seem quiet, but they are alive with stories — and few tell them better than the prairie dog. Often misunderstood and overlooked, these small creatures are vital to the prairie ecosystem. Inspired by their qu
Starting 31 with a kiss from a wolf. In Puebloan folklore — my own heritage — there is a story of La Loba, the Wolf Woman. She wanders the earth gathering bones, piecing together what’s been forgotten, what’s been cast aside.
✨ New Art Drop Coming This Friday ✨ I’m so excited to finally share my latest collection with you! Five new pieces will be available starting this Friday, March 14th. Each one is inspired by the beauty and spirit of Colorado’s landscapes
Fleet as the wind, the jackrabbit moves—born of earth and shadow, ever watchful beneath the moon. This piece is a tribute to the untamed spirit of the plains, where resilience is written in every step. On March 14th, it will be released alongs
“Caelum et Ruina”—Sky and Ruin. Sovereign of the skies. Regal, untethered, unshaken. The bald eagle does not chase—it waits, knowing all things come within its reach. With a gaze that sees beyond distance and time, it is both
✨ Caring for Your Art Prints ✨ Your art prints are more than just paper and ink—they’re pieces of beauty meant to last. A little care goes a long way in preserving them for years to come. 🖼️ Matting Matters – A mat does more than
Meet the Artist🌿 Hello my friends, my name is Brianna. I was born in the forests of the San Juan Mountains, where the pines whisper in the wind and the rivers carve stories into the earth. My roots are deep—woven from African strength and Ind
With a quiet gaze and nimble paws, the raccoon holds its place between the wild and the wonder. Surrounded by blooms that speak of fleeting seasons, it reminds us that even the smallest creatures carry their own stories—some mischief, some myst
This illustration of larkspur wildflowers brings me so much joy—it’s a reminder of the beauty that grows all around us, even in the quietest corners. As we move into the year, I’m inspired to create more pieces celebrating wildflowe
Two detailed colored pencil drawings on toned paper, displayed on a rustic wooden surface with fur and dried flowers. The left artwork features a prairie dog sitting upright, surrounded by blue flowers and geometric designs resembling tribal patterns

Explore my Work

Discover artwork that honors the beauty of wildlife and the quiet stories woven into the natural world.

  • “The world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting—over and over announcing your place in the family of things.”

    - Mary Oliver "Wild Geese"