Featured Artist: Kori Deller

Kentucky Fiber Artist Kori Deller brings a modern perspective to the traditions of quilting and fiber art. Working from her home studio in Bellevue, Kentucky, Kori creates dimensional artwork shaped by fabric, color, pattern, and texture.

Her journey into fiber art, however, has followed anything but a straight line. It has moved from weaving and batik to technical illustration and, eventually, back to quilting.

Kentucky Fiber Artist Kori Deller

Kori first explored fiber arts during her college years. She took floor loom weaving classes and experimented with batik fabric dyeing.

Later, after moving to Portland, Oregon, her creative interests took a more technical direction. She studied illustration, computer graphics, and drafting. Those skills led to work illustrating technical manuals for Intel and other engineering companies.

When Kori returned to Northern Kentucky, she continued working in drafting and graphics for engineering firms. Still, the desire to create by hand remained.

After retiring from full-time work, Kori found herself increasingly drawn to quilting. She began by making keepsake greeting cards from fabric. Gradually, those smaller projects led her toward larger and more complex pieces, including wall hangings.

Painting with Fabric

A class in landscape quilt design became an important turning point in Kori’s artistic development. She studied with local artist and quilter Larry McKenney and quickly connected with the techniques he introduced.

Kori often describes landscape quilting as “painting with fabric.” Instead of applying paint to a canvas, she builds an image through layers of cloth, pattern, color, and stitching.

That approach allows the fabric itself to influence the finished work. A particular print might suggest movement in a landscape. Likewise, a change in color or texture can create depth, shadow, or visual interest.

Kori especially enjoys the natural three-dimensional qualities of quilting. Rather than forcing every element into a predetermined plan, she allows the materials to help guide her.

As a result, each piece develops its own character.

Exploring Modern Quilting

Kori has continued learning throughout her fiber arts journey. Her involvement with the Northern Kentucky Modern Quilt Guild introduced her to other talented quilters and new approaches to the medium.

Through that experience, she explored the elements that distinguish modern quilting. She also gained a deeper appreciation for quilting’s evolution from a traditional craft into a recognized form of fiber art.

That balance between tradition and experimentation continues to shape her work today.

Kori’s background in drafting and illustration also brings another dimension to her creative process. Years spent thinking about lines, shapes, proportion, and composition now find a different expression through fabric.

Creating Art with a Story

Over the years, Kori has also created commissioned fiber artwork. Most recently, she completed a wall hanging inspired by a photograph of the Monks Walk for Peace in January 2026.

Projects like this show how fiber can move beyond pattern and decoration. It can capture a place, preserve a moment, and tell a story in a uniquely tactile way.

Meanwhile, Kori continues to create new work from her Bellevue studio. She remains connected to the region’s fiber arts community while continuing to learn and experiment.

Her artwork has been displayed locally, including the Art After Hours exhibition at the Campbell County Public Library’s Carrico/Fort Thomas branch.

We are also delighted to have Kentucky Fiber Artist Kori Deller as part of the community of artists whose work can be found at Purple Paisley.

Creativity, Curiosity, and Joy

Kori recently discovered a line of text printed along the selvage of fabric she was trimming for a wall hanging. The words captured something important about the creative process for her:

“When you do things from the soul you feel a river moving in you. A joy.”

That sense of curiosity and joy comes through in Kori’s work. She respects the traditions behind quilting while remaining open to wherever a color, pattern, or piece of fabric might lead.

Her work reminds us that an art form can carry its history forward while continuing to change.

Meet Kori at an Upcoming Workshop

Interested in joining Kori for an upcoming creative experience? On October 10 at 11:00 a.m. at Purple Paisley, Kori will lead the No-Sew Scandinavian Star Ornament Workshop.

In this beginner-friendly class, participants will use folded fabric techniques to create a dimensional Scandinavian-inspired ornament—no sewing required.

Registration and additional information: [INSERT REGISTRATION LINK]

Whether you already love quilting or simply enjoy discovering original local art, Kori’s work offers a new way to experience fiber. Stop in, take a closer look, and celebrate another talented artist creating right here in Kentucky.

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