Between Land and Water
Reptiles and amphibians live between worlds. Along Las Cachinches, turtles, lizards, snakes, frogs, and toads find food and shelter in and around the stream, each playing an important role in this small but surprisingly rich ecosystem.
On warm days, turtles may be seen basking on rocks before slipping quietly back into the water. Lizards dart among stones and vegetation, while snakes often remain hidden from view. Most of these animals go largely unnoticed, but with the summer rains, the calls of frogs and toads can announce their presence. Temporary pools become nurseries, where eggs hatch into tadpoles and a new generation begins.
As the rains end and the arroyo dries, activity diminishes. Shelter among rocks, vegetation, soil, and protected pockets of moisture helps these animals survive the long dry season until the rains return.
Reptiles and amphibians are an essential part of the food web. They consume insects and other small animals and, in turn, provide food for birds, mammals, and other wildlife. Amphibians are particularly sensitive to changes in water quality and habitat, making their presence an important sign of environmental health.
Protecting the arroyo means protecting both land and water: clean pools, healthy vegetation, rocks, soil, shade, and quiet places where these remarkable animals can feed, reproduce, hide, and survive through the changing seasons.
ARTIST: Merle Herrera
Merle Herrera is a Mexican urban artist, muralist, and cultural promoter based in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato. A self-taught artist with 20 years of experience, she has developed a distinctive visual language that combines muralism, graffiti, and contemporary painting to transform public spaces into places for dialogue, community engagement, and social reflection.
Her work is inspired by nature, wildlife, femininity, and resilience, using art as a tool to strengthen social bonds, rehabilitate public spaces, and foster a sense ofmbelonging within communities. Through her projects, she seeks to amplify the voices of those who have historically been underrepresented, bringing art to places where it has traditionally had little or no access.
In 2019, Merle founded Trazando Vuelo, an independent collective dedicated to developing community-based urban art projects. Through this initiative, she promotes collaborative work and creates safe spaces for women artists, helping open new opportunities for emerging female creators while strengthening networks of support through art.
From 2021 to 2023, she coordinated urban art programs for vulnerable youth at the San Miguel de Allende Adolescent Center, encouraging art as a means of expression, inclusion, and social transformation. She has also led community mural projects focused on rehabilitating public spaces, environmental awareness, biodiversity conservation, and strengthening community identity.
Her work has been exhibited throughout Mexico and internationally, including at the Milano Latin Festival in Italy and in Iquitos, Peru. In 2022, she received the Municipal Youth Award of San Miguel de Allende in recognition of her artistic career and social impact.
Today, Merle continues to develop projects that combine public art, community participation, and environmental education. She believes muralism has the power to transform public spaces, inspire collective action, and give a voice to communities that have too often gone unheard.
merleherrera6@gmail.com
tel: +52 415 133 0229
ARTIST STATEMENT
Between earth and water, two rattlesnakes intertwine with dahlias, creating a dialogue between the transformative power of nature and the human spirit.
The rattlesnakes symbolize the ability to shed one’s skin, adapt, and be reborn. Rather than representing fear, they embody wisdom, resilience, and ecological balance, reminding us that every species plays an essential role within the ecosystem.
The dahlias, Mexico’s national flower, represent beauty that blossoms through change, strength, and the diversity of life. Their encounter with the snakes reflects the harmony between inner transformation and the flourishing of nature.
The artwork invites us to recognize that human beings are also part of this cycle. Just as nature has the power to regenerate, we too have the ability to grow, learn, and care for the environment we inhabit. True balance emerges when we understand that protecting the earth, water, and biodiversity begins with the
transformation of our own consciousness.
MURAL APPRENTICE: Andrea Urbina
Andrea has been studying with Merle for four years. She is a talented artist and a light spirit.with a glowing spirit.
MURAL SPONSORS
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Maison Mexique is a luxury 9-suite, adults-only, pet-friendly boutique hotel in the historic center of San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Mexico.
Located in Zona Centro, a six-minute walk from the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, the property occupies a restored colonial home and was awarded the Michelin Key in 2024 and 2025.
Our on-site Bistro Mexique, led by Chef Mirian Ramírez, serves delicious modern Bajío-region Mexican cuisine.
We believe what endures from a hotel stay are the experiences that move your soul and linger long after your return home. Our historic architecture, contemporary design, indigenous craftsmanship, attentive concierge, helpful staff, and carefully selected amenities combine to create a unique and memorable stay nthat earns the long-lasting loyalty of our guests.
https://www.instagram.com/maisonmexiquehotel/
+52 415 111 7258
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Ranchito Cascabel is a privately owned property outside Atotonilco, where wonder and magic are found within a landscape of surrealist buildings populated by giant sculptures of rattlesnakes and other zoomorphic and anthropomorphic figures.
Created by artist and owner Tim Sullivan, this fantastical architectural complex took shape over more than 20 years. Inspired in part by Antoni Gaudí, Tim transformed what began as a place to store his bicycles and a fun park for his children into an imaginative world unlike any other.
Ranchito Cascabel has attracted international attention and has been featured in architectural books, VICE en Español, and the Los Angeles Times.
Experience Ranchito Cascabel for yourself. Public and private tours are available for those who want to explore this extraordinary place.
Ranchito Cascabel also offers a memorable private setting for photography sessions, meditation, yoga, creative gatherings, and other activities—a place where architecture, art, nature, and imagination meet.
https://ranchitocascabel.com.mx/home
https://www.instagram.com/ranchitocascabel/
Whatsapp: +52 415 181 1660
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