Heidi by Johanna Spyri, white out, glue, and crochet cotton

Collaged, embroidered, and hand crocheted

2004

30 x 30”

In 2004 I took my first Fibers class at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with Diana Guerrero-Maciá. In Sampling, we looked at the history of samplers, crazy quilts, and textiles through the lens of a DJ sampling music and using appropriation in their work. Thus, I sampled my namesake, the book Heidi by Johanna Spyri. Each chapter of the book became a quilt block and I cut, colored, redacted, and collaged to explore the progression of the book. In class, I constantly worked with paper, thread, an exacto blade, and glue. As a class field trip, Diana invited us to her home in Chicago's Ukrainian Village, and seeing her basement studio where she made her work was a formative experience in realizing the benefits of a textiles practice and a home studio. A decade later, I attended her exhibition at the Elmhurst Art Museum, and being a high school art teacher myself, I was moved that Diana recognized me and remembered my name. It was one of many small moments that inspired me to take a leap of faith, changing careers and pivoting to be a full time quilter.

Exhibitions: Heidi Parkes: Soft Magic, Wisconsin Museum of Quilts & Fiber Arts, Cedarburg, WI (2025)

*Shipping may take up to 2 weeks

*Shipping within the United States is included in the purchase price. To make an international purchase, contact Heidi at HeidiParkesArt@gmail.com