Esther Paterson
Esther Paterson Gill was an Australian artist, book-illustrator and cartoonist.Early years
Paterson was born in Carlton, Victoria, the second child born to Scottish emigrants Hugh and Elizabeth Leslie Paterson. She began her education at Oberwly School, St. Kilda. At age thirteen, Paterson studied painting at the National Gallery of Victoria School from 1907 to 1912.Career
Paterson engaged in mainly commercial art to pay her bills. In addition her art included book illustration and cartooning. Her first book of sketches "Aussie Girls" was published in 1918 by Melbourne Publishing Company.
Her portraits of soldiers both uniformed and civilian is shown at the Australian War Memorial Canberra. The National Gallery of Victoria and Geelong Art Gallery also hold some of her work.Death and legacy
On 8 August 1971, Esther Paterson died at Middle Park and was cremated with Anglican rites. Her husband, George Hermon Gill, died two years later.
