In Celtic mythology, animals—particularly birds—held profound spiritual significance. Birds were seen as messengers between the earthly realm and the spiritual world, symbolizing transformation, guidance, and divine connection. Similarly, Aztec mythology is rich with deities, rituals, and symbolic imagery that reflect the complex beliefs of one of Mesoamerica’s most advanced civilizations. Among these symbols, the Quetzal bird stands out—not only for its radiant plumage but also for its deep cultural and spiritual resonance. Revered in Aztec ceremonies, the Quetzal embodied ideals of beauty, freedom, and the abundance of the natural world. Drawing from her Aztec and Celtic ancestry, as well as the teachings of her healer grandmother, Maria Schechter creates art that explores the profound relationship between humanity and nature. Through historically rooted practices and the use of sustainable materials, her paintings and sculptures promote climate awareness and environmental justice, advocating for the use of regenerative resources.

​

Maria works with natural dyes to create her painting palettes, applying them on watercolor paper mounted to wood panels. Her pieces are infused with preserved mushrooms, mycelium, clay, and ethically foraged, earth-friendly, lightfast dyes. Beyond her artwork, Maria is committed to sustainable creativity, practicing ethical foraging and traditional pigment-making techniques that honor ancestral knowledge. Her workshops on Eco-Grief offer participants tools to reconnect with the natural world and create eco-conscious art materials, fostering emotional resilience and ecological stewardship. As an educator, she leads classes on sustainable art practices, historical pigments, and environmental consciousness—empowering others to embed sustainability into both their creative processes and everyday lives. Maria’s award-winning work continues to bridge art, activism, and environmentalism—nurturing a community dedicated to a greener, more conscious future.