MILLER, Hilda T.

From an early age Hilda Theodora Miller (née Baker) wanted to be an artist but found no support in this ambition from her family.  Due to a childhood illness she became somewhat deaf and this, added to a natural shyness, made her rather retiring.  Despite this she enrolled herself in the Birmingham School of Art and later at the Slade School. In 1907 she married Andrew Miller, who was a representative for a Scottish woollen company with West End connections.  Through him she was introduced to Liberty & Co., where she made her name designing calendars, advertisements and cards from 1910 to 1918.  However her greatest success came with her illustrations for children’s books, particularly those with a fairy theme. Her paintings show a delicate use of colour and, along with her line drawings, display a deftness of touch bringing vigour and passion to her subject.  Her later work was influenced by H. Willebeek Le Mair, both of them working in watercolor, a medium that showcased their delicate, detailed drawings.

Her best known work is The Rose Fyleman Fairy Book, full of beautiful fairy images.

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