Aquetzalli
The word `Aquetzalli` comes from the Nahuatl language; its meaning - ‘Divine and sacred water’ - evokes the greatness of the liquid element as the origin of life; that which is "really important and transcendental."
Starting with her first publication, Universo Magico, Melisa Mijares launched Editorial Aquetzalli with a focus on creating watercolors and designs that connect people with nature and the world around them. Editorial Aquetzalli was the first iteration of what has since become Aquetzalli Art & Design.
This is where you've landed today.

Origins

MELISA MIJARES, founder, art & design
Hello! I'm Melisa.
As an artist, I have always been passionate about creating beautiful and functional designs that capture the essence of nature and bring a sense of joy and wonder to people's lives.
I'm currently living in Metepec, Mexico, where I draw my inspiration from my natural surroundings, exploring the local flora and fauna, and incorporating these elements into my work. I received my degree in graphic design in 2010; but had been painting since I was six years old. While studying graphic design, I honed my skills in color theory, composition and surface print design; however, I have been working in the field professionally for over 20 years.
I have a rich history as an educator as well; between 2006-present, I have been an educator of children as well as adults across language instruction, art education and technique, interpretation for English and Spanish projects, and most recently have developed and been delivering online and in person classes for beginner, intermediate (and soon, advanced) watercolor painting courses. I have been involved in art therapy projects, and collaborated on various painting-as-therapy initiatives in Mexico and the United States.
Following the publication of my first book - Universe Magico - a meditative coloring book in 2018, I launched Editorial Aquetzalli with the intention of creating an opportunity for people to connect with nature and the world around them regardless of their age. Editorial Aquetzalli was the first iteration of what has now become Aquetzalli Art & Design.
The word `Aquetzalli` comes from the Nahuatl language; its meaning - ‘Divine and sacred water’ - evokes the greatness of the liquid element as the origin of life; that which is "really important and transcendental." The meaning deeply resonates with the work that I do in watercolors and with my passion for the natural world.
I approach everything I do with an open attitude, with desire and with a hunger to learn, improve, and grow: I feel a deep desire to share what I have experienced and learned, sometimes through my art, but also many times through the everyday interactions I have with people, no matter how seemingly trivial or fleeting.
I bring a bit of playful snarkiness that always comes from a place of love and joy. And I celebrate the daily magic that surrounds us with a willingness to let that appreciation guide how I operate in the world - despite a very real awareness and feeling that our world can feel increasingly fragmented in terms of how people connect with others, with themselves, with their physical and internal worlds. Despite the very real differences in the way we may experience our world and personal situations, I relish finding commonality in our shared experiences - especially those made possible through creating and appreciating art in any of its forms.
It must be said again: I have a deep love for nature and the cosmos. For me, watercolor is a perfect medium to capture the beauty of nature: The intricate details of plants, of flowers, of landscapes - as well as those of the sky, the ocean and so much else. Creating art in all of its forms allows me to explore a range of colors, textures, and patterns; my art creates a sense of movement and depth - my intention is to bring life and energy to my designs and works.
PABLO SCHUHMACHER, operations, strategy
Hi, I’m Pablo. I’m a seasoned product leader with over a decade of experience in product management and strategy. My expertise lies in guiding cross-functional teams to develop and launch both greenfield and brownfield products, skills I have refined through roles in both enterprise and startup environments. As a product owner and consultant, I excel in defining vision, strategy, and roadmaps, collaborating effectively with engineering and design teams to focus on high-impact work. My approach combines qualitative and quantitative customer research, ensuring that product decisions align with business objectives and resonate with customers.
During my tenure at VMware(formerly Pivotal, currently Broadcom), I led product teams making significant contributions to VMware's Tanzu product portfolio. My work in VMware’s R&D Modern Application Platform included co-authoring the OSS project Pinniped.dev, redefining the Tanzu Identity Program, and transforming the Tanzu Cloud Experience. Prior to VMware, I held various roles at Pivotal Software, where I notably increased team efficiency and spearheaded strategic initiatives.
My consulting career spans several major clients, including Dick's Sporting Goods, The Home Depot, and Boston Scientific. Through innovative strategies and workshops, I have driven considerable savings and organizational enhancements for these companies.
I hold a Bachelor's degree from Columbia University, where I majored in Political Science, Ethnomusicology, and Pre-Law. In addition to my professional skills, I am fluent in Spanish and conversational in Italian. My expertise covers advanced facilitation, organizational design, product and project management, user research, UX, and lean experiment design.
I didn’t realize until maybe 10 years ago that I’m a designer at heart; nor until then did I really realize that almost every problem, challenge, perceived barrier - whatever - is actually a design opportunity. I am a systems thinker first and foremost (Donella Meadows’ “Leverage Points: Places to intervene in a System" might as well be scripture to me). And for me, design thinking - experiential design, full-stack, immersive design thinking - coupled with systems thinking has been a tremendously powerful framework for operating in the world to drive positive change.
A little over a year ago when I met Melisa I was already more than burned out and it was something like magic for me to see her work - and even more so - to see her actually paint. Then once we really started talking about her foundational vision for Editorial Aquetzalli, and after spending time with Universo Magico, something shifted in me. I reconnected again finally with the designer inside of me. Together we’ve been able to crystalize a north star vision for Aquetzalli. It’s a very special to bring my experience together with hers. I’m excited for what lies ahead. And looking forward to growing the team.
Our Story
Hello! We are Melisa and Pablo. Both of us have always had a special relationship with water - the ocean, rain, rivers - and the flow of its subtle and wild energy.
First, a serendipitous encounter in Mexico City; then the discovery of complimentary, if wildly different, professional experiences; and eventually - critically - together articulating our shared operating ethos as we connected the dots between our professional experiences, personal desires and where they converge.
Aquetzalli’s venture stands at the crossroads of artistic creativity and operational excellence. We believe in the art of facilitation - not just in bringing brand or client visions into focus, but in creating an environment where our network of service partners can thrive and contribute effectively to each project.
What drives us
Our mission is to make high-quality, engaging designs - and design experiences - accessible to brands of all sizes and ambitions. We want to simplify that process as much as possible, regardless of the scale or complexity of any given business' needs.
When we say "brand" we mean: businesses, people, startups, entities, organizations - whatever.
Our approach is holistic and based on your needs. We integrate our extensive professional experience with our network of service partners as needed to understand and actualize your vision - from the initial scoping of your vision to the final delivery.
We see ourselves as more than just a design firm or consultancy. We are architects of experiences, creators of patterns, and facilitators of brand stories.
Our Network + Experience
Our network of service partners includes architects, software developers, engineers, data scientists and manufacturers, complimenting our in-house expertise, and enabling us to deliver a full spectrum of experiential design services.
Our proven approach enables clarity and alignment up front, a path for delivery, aesthetic excellence and operational efficiency from the initial vision through delivery .
Join us on this journey
We're not just creating designs; we're crafting experiences, weaving stories, and building partnerships. We invite you to consider us on this exciting journey, where your vision meets our expertise to create something truly extraordinary.