Vicky O’Leary Textiles

I take my inspiration from the beauty of nature. I want the viewer to be able to have a visual representation of those positive feelings we get when we are in nature. I want them to connect and value the nature surrounding them, to realise it’s potential to enhance our lives.

I demonstrate this through the layers I create, each one adding another story to the piece. I use paint and mark making in my backgrounds, before adding lots of texture through mixed media and stitch. Detailed elements of nature are added in the form of hand and free machine embroidery. I connect with my emotions and let this intuitively guide my stitching and choice of materials to produce pictures, greetings cards and wall hangings.

I am passionate about re-using everyday materials in my artwork. Where possible I work on second hand bed sheets. I love the fact that these have a history before I transform them by adding more layers to their story.

My art gives me the chance to slow down the pace of life, to be present, to observe, and to connect with the cloth that I am stitching in to. This helps to create a stitched journey for everyone to enjoy.