Hi,

First of all you really should take a look an the maya books.
If you are new in Maya then look for Gnomon Video tutorials or take a look at the Maya in Production Video Tutorials from Digital Tutors. Volume 3 is Texturing. What else i can help you? I even don't know if you would understand we if I explain you now everything, therefore I will just give you a short way which should help you. Create your Model. Open the hypershade. On the Left Side ( in the Tree) choice Texture And drop it in the cube and unbelieveable you got an textured cube *lol*

Hope this helps you a little bit.

Bye

Black