Look Into My Eyes: A Grant-Supported Project Inspired by the Mojave Desert

For the past two years, I’ve been pouring my heart into a personal project that means so much to me — a bilingual poetic book inspired by the Mojave Desert. This vast, beautiful, and quietly powerful landscape stretches across Nevada, California, and Arizona; and it has shaped so much of my artistic work in recent years. There is something about the desert that keeps me inspired, grounded, and in love with the place I call home. Its life, colors, silence, and its spirit live inside every page of this book.

Look Into My Eyes / Mírame los ojos is now entering its final stages of editing. The book is almost ready to meet the world — ready to arrive in homes where big and little ones meet with presence, softness, and connection.

I’m also grateful to share that this project has received support through the FY26 Project Grant for Artists – Cycle A (PGA26-A). This grant has helped me continue developing the artwork, refining the text, and preparing the book for its next steps in production. Bringing this vision to life has been a long and meaningful journey, and I’m excited for this story to shine beyond my hands soon.

As part of the grant requirements — and with genuine gratitude — I want to acknowledge that:

“This project is supported in part by the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts”.

Thank you for being here, for supporting my work, and for walking with me as this project prepares to take its first breath in the world.

I can’t wait for you to hold this story soon.

Stay tuned. — Maria.

This project is supported in part by the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Funding from the FY26 Project Grant for Artists supports the creation, printing, and educational distribution of the bilingual illustrated book “Mírame los Ojos / Look Into My Eyes,” a mindfulness-focused project for children and families in Nevada.