Beautiful and Vulnerable Tropical Ecosystems Inspire Mary Maka’s Vibrant Illustrations

For the past year, Mary Maka has lived in Sri Lanka, where the tropical flora and fauna have inspired her to continue her vibrant Endless Forest series. In the artist’s characteristically smooth, cartoonish, vivid illustrations, creatures peer out from between giant leaves, cling to palm trees, and nap on long branches. She has also begun incorporating animated elements that enliven the scenes.

“At the same time, living on the island has revealed the fragility of nature’s balance,” Maka tells Colossal. “The lush tropical landscape conceals the vulnerability of the ecosystem and the delicate relationship between humans and the natural world.” Through these observations, both beauty and fragility have become key themes in her recent works.

A digital illustration of a jungle with a pink frog in the center — “Frog”

Find more on Maka’s Behance and Instagram, and support her work on Patreon.

An animated digital illustration of an insect-eating creature on a plant — “Palm Squirrel”

A digital illustration of a green, four-legged creature with a strange plant or flower on its back — “Beast”

A digital illustration of a cartoonish tropical scene with various birds — “Among the Trees”

An animated digital illustration of a pink owl — “Owl”

A digital illustration of a sloth on a branch against a pink background — “Sloth”

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