New website design

Come on over & check it out! There is still some tweaking & adding of bits for me to do, & the Studio page is kind of temporary, but I set myself a deadline of my Birthday (which is on the 27th ) to get it completed by...so I just about made it !! lol

www.juliaguthrie.co.uk

I hope that it is now more user friendly than the old one, & is much easier to browse. If you find any glitches please do let me know of course!
I also plan to add another page to the 'shop' section with Buy Now buttons to make your purchases, but for the time being please use the links to my online MISI & ETSY stores, or just email me with your request!:)

Also I am launching a new look html Newsletter to accompany the new site. It will have info, art updates & a section called 'Studio Chatter...'
Plus a great Subscriber only giveaway or special offer each time!
Visit my website to sign up.

Maya - Goddess of Illusion

'Maya'

Watercolour 11 x 14"

Maya is traditionally the Goddess of illusion. In the old texts, Maya is said to reign in the three worlds – the physical, the mental and the emotional. They are not separate, but aspects of the world of our own creation.

Maya is the light that gives creation form...for what is form, but light particles? Therefore Maya is also a symbol of creation.

The Dragonfly accompanies Maya here, as the Dragonfly is also the symbol of illusion...the power of light & beauty & transformation.

"Maya appears amidst a sunbeam in the temple..shapeshifting, transforming in every second. A moving, disolving, merging image of all things possible. She becomes water, covered in waterlillies...the universe...the planets...the moon & stars.

At her wrist hangs a Crow's feather & a key. Symbols of the gateways through which she can travel.

Like an ever changing hologram, Maya allows us to see whatever we want & it is up to us to claim that creation.

The Crow is a symbol of our connection to both worlds..spiritual & physical. While behind her, the clocks of time all read 11.11...the master number. A portal between worlds."

My beautiful friend...

His correct title is actually 'Beautiful Demoiselle' & he is a Damselfy.

It's a shame the sun was in the wrong direction really as you can't see in the picture what stunning metallic colours he is.
Blue, green & gold...it's the longest I've ever been able to get so close to one & really examine it. He was hanging around my Tomato plants for most of the morning it seems!

I adore these magical looking creatures & a few yrs ago one summer, we saw hundreds of them along the stream in the woods. We spent some time sat by the waters edge & they kept landing on me. I took photos but my old camera wasn't great with close up's.
So this time I was even more excited...new camera..better macro lens!! lol
I was standing patiently, waiting for him to open his wings for a second when suddenly he flew up & onto my hand! I was able to switch the camera to my other one & take a picture:)


I have a little video footage I remembered to take aswell... only 3 minutes long, but he flies again onto my hand!:) I feel like I've had an encounter with a little nature spirit or faery!
(And in case you wondered what the difference was between a Dragonfly & a Damselfly....Damselflies are smaller & you can tell them because they will close thier wings when resting, unlike Dragonflies:))

My dog has a blog!

Yes...Madam furry trousers has her own blog now. As if her ego needs any more stroking! lol

Please go visit her & follow her ramblings...or she will end up a 'madam grumpy trousers' instead!:)

http://secretsofnimh.blogspot.com/

In other news...I have been reaping the rewards of my gardening this year. Not bad for a beginner!! Lots of fresh salads...

Mixed lettuce, rocket, radishes, chives...& soon to include courgette & tomatoes! (The courgettes are looking fantastic!). I shall be expanding my veg patch considerably next year..I want to try some fruit aswell.

Well, the rain & thunder have ceased...but I shall try to make the most of the sun's hiatus by getting my new website design finished *hopefully*. It's been so hard to make myself work indoors lately...I love the weather we've been having this summer!:)