textile art and illustration

Artist Paddy Killer draws onto anything. It began with her work in textile art and illustration. So far she has used textiles, wood, ceramic, and glass, as well as paper.  These drawings add to the three dimensionality of the textures, giving depth and life to her subjects.  Her maxim is “anything you can do on paper you can do on fabrics, but with the added beauty of texture”. Paddy has an international reputation for her textile artwork and is one of the leading textile artists in the field of machine embroidery. Her skills in free-machine embroidery on her old Bernina sewing machine show a degree of precision that appears to be as otherworldly as much of her subject matter. She exhibits widely and is included in many public and private collections worldwide.

As well as her textile art work and illustration, Paddy also gives lectures and teaches workshops, and works to commission for both public and private clients. All her work is highly individual and incredibly detailed. These works include fine art work, work for interiors including counterpanes and pillows, and wearable pieces such as hats and waistcoats.

After graduating from Birmingham Polytechnic, Paddy worked as embroidery designer with Bellville Sassoon in London and then with Marie-Paule in Montreal. In late 1973 she began working from her own studio in London Ontario, later moving to Edmonton Alberta, before returning to the UK in 1981 to set up in the north east of England. She has been a member of the 62 Group since 1985, exhibiting in virtually every exhibition of the Group since then.

Paddy is originally from Halifax, West Yorkshire. Her surname originates from Ireland; originally probably Kellagher, it was written down as Killhare when her ancestors migrated to Derbyshire in the late 16th century. It was then changed to Killer in the 18th century.

To commission Paddy you can contact her. Please take look at commissions to see some.
To book her to give a workshop or lecture contact her.