Artist Statement
My name is Tina Leahey and I am a Liverpool textile artist specialising in free motion embroidery line drawings of city skylines and iconic buildings
I first began experimenting with free hand machine embroidery several years ago. I was excited by the lack of restraints, having total control over the stitch direction, the rhythm between the needle speed and fabric motion
The inspiration for my designs is deeply rooted in my fierce pride for the city in which I live. Liverpool has some wonderful buildings with their architectural charm, others for their historical significance, the iconic importance of museums, churches and other landmarks.
There’s one area of textile art I've really fallen in love with is free motion embroidery. I was excited by the lack of restraints, having total control over the stitch direction, the rhythm between the needle speed and fabric motion using freehand machine embroidery to sketch images in thread over my illustrations of famous iconic buildings. It’s just like drawing but with a lovely textured feel.
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My “Home Is Where The Heart Is” Royal Liver Building design is my best-seller both online and at the local artisan events I attend. This was my first building commission I’d sewn over 10 years ago when my career as an artist was still in its infancy so it holds a special place in my heart.
I’m at my happiest when found at my sewing machine, working on new designs from my purpose-built studio in my Liverpool home. I love to sew complicated realistic pictures of buildings giving it added depth. I’m currently developing a range of new skylines of other cities which brings with it new levels of challenge and reward as I’m getting to know their wonderful architecture – which I'm excited to embrace.