María Fernanda Duque
Where it all begins
Maria fernanda Duque is a Venezuelan-American visual artist, illustrator, and writer based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born and raised in Venezuela, and shaped by life in Panama, Brazil, Ecuador, and now the United States-where she lives with her son-Maria brings a rich, multicultural perspective to everything she creates.
Her journey through different countries-often driven by the challenges of migration and life transitions-has profoundly influenced her way of seeing the world. Each culture, landscape, and way of expression has left an imprint on her, enriching the language of her art. From every place she has lived, María has carried something with her-colors, symbols, rhythms-that now live on through her illustrations. Nature, especially, remains her greatest source of inspiration and a universal thread in her creative work.
Since childhood, María has expressed herself through drawing, painting, writing, and dance. Her artistic path has always evolved alongside her studies and personal exploration. She holds a law degree and postgraduate specialization in labor and constitutional law, studied in Venezuela and Spain.
Alongside her academic background, María has spent over 30 years immersed in movement and holistic practices. She practiced classical ballet, jazz, tap, and belly dance. She is a certified yoga instructor for both adults and children and previously owned a yoga and wellness studio in Panama. Her passion for natural healing led her to study reflexology, Bach flower remedies, and plant-based therapies in Barcelona, Spain.
As a self-taught visual artist, María works across drawing, painting, digital illustration, and collage. Her style blends elements of naive and mural art, petroglyphs, impressionism, surrealism, and contemporary illustration-drawing inspiration from both ancient symbols and modern visual culture. Her work explores themes of nature, emotion, resilience, and presence.
Her debut bilingual children's book, Mirame a los Ojos - Look Into My Eyes, is a poetic invitation to pause, breathe, and connect. Her visual series, Whispers from the Mojave, merges animal archetypes with symbolic messages, creating pieces that are both visual and spiritual journeys.
Through duquearts.com, María shares her books, prints, and illustrations-all born from the desire to reconnect with nature, honor inner worlds, and celebrate the healing power of beauty, play, and emotion.
One of María's deepest intentions as an artist is to create not just visually striking work, but tools for reflection, growth, and transformation. She believes that art should awaken the senses and serve a purpose -whether to heal, to teach, or simply to invite a deeper connection to the world within and around.