Mariya Prytula

Mariya Prytula – Designer

Award winning children's and nature illustrator, available for middle-grade projects and adult cover work.

Overview

Mariya is an award winning illustrator specializing in watercolor and digital art. She has illustrated two award winning picture books, seven picture books for private clients, multiple book covers, and she has undertaken projects for Reeves International, Austin ArtBoards, Austin Wildlife Rescue, and other businesses. Her original work has been featured in fantasy and wildlife art collections. Mariya creates art with the goal of giving her viewer a hug.

Client feedback:

"Your comments and sage advice have been invaluable throughout this whole process, and I have learned so much from you. Thank you for your beautiful artwork which captured my vision for this book."

"You taught me what was possible and expected when working with other artists. You were so patient with me while working through an unfamiliar etiquette. It was a real kindness."

Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction Home & Garden Nature
Fiction
Classics Epic Fantasy Middle Grade Middle Grade Fantasy
Languages
English
Works with
Squarespace
Awards
  • Gold IPPY Medal from Independent Publisher Book Awards for "Little Moss, Big Tree" picture book
  • Spark Award Honor from Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators for "Little Moss, Big Tree" picture book
  • Foreword INDIES Book of the Year award finalist for "Little Moss, Big Tree" picture book
  • NAPPA Award winner for "Happy Papas" picture book
  • SCBWI Austin Portfolio Honor
  • SCBWI Austin Creators of Diverse Worlds Scholarship
  • Best Illustrator Gold Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards

Work experience

Self-employed

Jan, 2016 — Present
Mariya (pronounced Maria) is known for her award-winning depictions of animals, nature, and warm children’s illustrations. Her art goal is to give the viewer a hug. She would love to work on more: - Middle-grade covers and interior illustration projects - Picture books that tackle emotional learning, multi-generational relationships and/or the environment - Secular Christmas - Packaging Self-taught in art from an early age, Mariya completed a BS degree in Biology Pre-Medicine at Baylor University, and upon graduating worked in medical device consulting. Mariya is passionate about wildlife conservation and works as the Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator for Austin Wildlife Rescue as well as volunteers with the Refugee Services of Texas. .

Portfolio

Little Moss, Big Tree

M. Yap-Stewart

Little Moss and Little Tree are the best of friends. They do everything together. One day, Little Tree grows into Big Tree. Can the two remain friends? And what will they do when a winter storm comes their way? Little Moss, Big Tree is a celebration of the fri... read more
KyRose Takes A Leap: Saving the World with STEAM and Magic

Bricault, Cicek

Little Moss Big Tree (Hardcover) (Chinese Edition)

Anonymous

Junior Wildlife Rescuer Activity Book: Over 40 Animal Puzzles, Games, and Crafts for Ages 6-12

Prytula, Mariya

Unknown Waters: Sara's Magical Coral Reef Adventure

Bordelon, Cynthia

Aran: A fantasy adventure

Handley, P. L.

Revoyage of the Mayflower: Societal Values - Conservation's Driving Force

Raffaele, Herbert A.

Nimbus

Voss, Bernard

The Kilkenny Clowder

Perry, Shelley

True Feathers

Patrick, Carolyn

Happy Papas

Kathleen T. Pelley

Happy Papas, the follow-up book to CWLA's award winning Happy Mamas, is a beautiful read aloud that celebrates the wonder of fatherhood, exploring how both animal and human fathers shelter, nurture, and interact with their little ones. From ocean to sky and sa... read more

Mariya has 11 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Cindy B.

Cindy B.

May, 2024

I can't recommend Mariya highly enough! She is a true professional and was always ready to assist and coach me with her experience and knowledge of the publishing industry and how to make my project better and more professional (important since I'm a self-published author). I especially value h...
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Johnna S.

Johnna S.

Dec, 2023

Mariya is a true creative professional! You will get a top notch, competitive book design and cover from her. She knows and understands the industry, for me - Middle Grade fiction. She pays attention to details in the book and is able to subtly weave the themes into the illustration. She brought ...
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Kitty G.

Kitty G.

Nov, 2022

It was a joy working with Mariya, a good collaboration. She had a tough assignment-- I needed spooky, but not too spooky and scary, but not too scary. It needed to be an invitation to stories that offered mystery with a touch of paranormal.
Cindy B.

Cindy B.

Jul, 2022

As a new author who wanted to self-publish my children’s chapter book, I consider myself extremely fortunate to have retained Mariya to edit and illustrate my book. My book (which will be part of a series) seeks to raise ecological awareness for children and the setting is a coral reef in the Ca...
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Shelley P.

Shelley P.

Jul, 2022

As always, Mariya went above and beyond my expectations. I couldn't be happier with her work. She is truly talented! I will definitely work with Mariya again.

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