I started This Illusory Life as a place to share my writing. Although an artist and designer, I have also always written. I had started to travel and wanted to share my experiences of solo travel here. But we all know what happened next!
Since those fateful years I have still managed to travel and have settled in Yorkshire surrounded by a thriving community of artists, makers and designers in Sunny Bank Mills, Farsley where my studio is based. From here I run my graphic design business, Stigner Graphics, now approaching its eleventh birthday! My studio space has allowed me to finally unpack my messy art materials and given me the space to create again. It’s important to have a place where creativity can romp freely, physically and mentally, without the pressures of cleanliness and order stifling any random adventures my head decides to go on.
Creatives hoard. Not just stuff and materials but experiences and memories, colours and textures, words and lyrics. They all stick and my studio is full to the factory rafters of it all. Then we present all of this hoarding back to the world as a thing of beauty and life. This is how art brings meaning to our lives.
My neighbouring studio holders are kindred spirits, fellow hoarders and makers of beautiful and meaningful objects. So it is with great delight that my first post and the launch of my new website is on the weekend of our Open Studios. A twice yearly official event where the public can see what we do all day (nap and eat cake and occasionally paint!) and have a chance to buy our work directly from the artist. It’s a wonderful thing to share our passion with people, it adds a whole other layer of meaning to our work.
So thank you, for taking the time to read this and visit my site. I hope you enjoy what you see here and share my love of combining my art, design, nature, culture, travel and memories. Keep checking back here for my latest art work updates plus more!
I always love to keep in touch so please leave a comment or you can also sign up to my newsletter to get my updates straight to your inbox!
Love Maya x
We loved meeting you at the art and craft event in Haworth recently. We only bought a pack of bee cards and some moth postcards. I sent a bee card to a freind for her birthday card and she loved it.
Thank you
It was so lovely to meet you Helen, thank you for your lovely comments. It’s always nice to hear when people love the bees!