Maarten Donders is a visionary illustrator blending nature, fantasy, and vintage artistry

Story behind 'the Eyes on the world'

For me, it’s about that mutual relationship between humans and nature,” Maarten said. “We look at nature, study it, admire it but at the same time, it’s looking right back at us. Plants absorb light and their surroundings, just as we do. It’s this ongoing cycle, a kind of shared awareness between all living things. When you look at nature, nature looks back. It’s like consciousness reflecting on itself. This piece is my way of celebrating that connection, that symbiosis that defines who we are.”