Catherine O'Leary

As an artist who works in the textile arts with formal training in fine arts, my portfolio spans forty years. I have taught and exhibited extensively throughout Australia and overseas, and have won various awards and have two published art books.

This series of portraits have been hand crafted using merino wool fibre. Pen and ink and fabric paint have been used to draw the image which is then hand stitched with thread.

I draw not only to make something visible to others, but also to accompany an emotion which is invisible to its eventual destination in my work. The drawn and stitched line has an honesty about it as only necessary lines are used to create composition and form. The portraits are deeply personal and very time consuming, so I was able to spend lots of quality time with each family member.