Miriam Castillo is an illustrator, graphic designer, and muralist who divides her time between New York City and the Mexican Caribbean.

Castillo draws upon her favorite climate—the tropics—for this month’s Sketchbook. Her digital paintings incorporate the idea that “all animals are enlightened beings, and that nature represents a bigger force, call it the universe, or god.” As you look at Castillo’s work, consider the way she chooses to blend each animal into its surroundings, and where she allows parts of it to pop into the foreground, using shapes, colors, textures, and the occasional surrealistic element to establish contrast.