Digital Embroidery/Printing

Paddy Hartley

Embroidery Magazine (July/August 2008)

Surrey, The Embroiders' Guild. 

Paddy Hartley first caught my attention when flicking through the pages of the July/ August 2008 edition of embroidery magazine. I was truly captivated by his unique take on War. Paddy was inspired by a gravestone at Highgate Cemetery in London which developed into a four year project titled 'Project Facade'. There is a direct link to a military theme revealed through the heavy fabric weighting and colour palette. This is teamed up with the delicate texture of lace creating really unique and inspiring embroidery. The combination of hand, machine and digital embroidery works well, as realistically it would take years to complete using only hand techniques. This adaptation is what I find the most interesting, as I have always found myself to be focused towards hand embroidery however in my final major project I bit the bullet and started experimenting with digital printing. This doesn't make my work any less authentic, I am just learning how to experiment with digital techniques to create interesting images that could not truly be replicated solely in stitch. The idea of collage directly relates to my project, as it is built up of collected fabrics and paper and patched together. The distressed nature of his work adds a really weathered effect which helps to evoke thoughts of war and emotion. 

Clio Padovani 'Jaune, Videostill' 2011

Available at:

http://cliopadovani.com/jaune-diagonale-montreal/comp-1-screengrab-0-01-47-22/

Padovani's use of typography is what excites me the most... The texture emerging on the background works beautifully.The colours suit the composition in a subtle yet complex way. I am interested in creating backgrounds using scanned textures, lace and paper, which has become a key element within my exploration which is why I feel myself particularly drawn to Clio's work.

Deirdre Nelson

Embroidery Magazine (September/October 2009)

Surrey, The Embroiders' Guild.

This piece of work is particularly interesting as it is very much image based with a collaged and cut and pasted effect which is effective.  Key themes emerging surround the idea of memory, loss, recollection and storytelling. The use of computer manipulated images that have been digitally printed works particularly well. Deirdre has combined this with stitch on top which works effectively, creating colourful patterns which contrasts perfectly with the black and white background. The combination of digital printing and embroidery is what I feel truly inspired by at the moment.