Picture of Heidi

About the Artist

A few things you may not know about me. Heidi Miracle-McMahill is:

Artist's Statement

I am primarily a fiber artist with a passion for color, texture, rhythm and pattern. I love breaking the rules and have no formal art training. I believe everyone is an artist. You may just need some help to find your creative muse. I create art because I have to. It defines me and makes me happy and I hope it makes others happy as well. I often have no plan and let the materials lead me to the final destination in a very spontaneous manner. I love abstract patterns inspired by nature as well as themes regarding children, motherhood and women's bodies. I often extensively hand stitch on my pieces with embroidery thread. This gives me a chance to put a very personal part of myself in each work. The stitching is a very meditative process for me.

Because I have small children I need to work spontaneously and quickly. I work mostly in a small scale and also with mediums and techniques that can be quickly moved away from small hands and carried out of the house easily. I have found drawing with watercolor pastels on paper an easy way to create my visions without needing many tools (I often create my drawings while laying in bed late at night or while at the playground). I have also found hand stitching to fit my needs to have work that I can take with me outside of home (at the park, in the backyard, etc.). This past year I also became more comfortable in making the work that wanted to be made rather than trying to find a way to create pieces that I thought others would want. I create art to create art. If it turns out that someone likes it that's great. If not, that's okay too.

My Artistic Journey (so far)

I began my creative journey after completing my Masters degree in biostatistics. I went to culinary school for pastry arts certification (completed all but the sanitation course) on the weekends while working full time as a statistician. I enjoyed the creative outlet and had been obsessed (there is that word again) with cooking and cooking classes for many years (I have photos of myself with Jacques Pepin and Julia Child!) so it seemed like the right path. I tried my hand at wedding cakes but found it too stressful. Not to mention that your work of art is demolished and then there is still the kitchen to clean up.(I still make birthday cakes for my kids.)

The next leg of my artistic journey began after having children and leaving my career as a biostatistician. I was struggling to find a way to create space and time for myself. I began with a simple sewing class and chose to make a quilt as my final project. I used a non-traditional pattern (Jan Mullen's Heartz) and used as many fabrics as I could. My sewing teacher kept telling me it wasn't a good idea to start this way. She said I needed to sew a simple patchwork pattern and choose a focus fabric. I didn't listen. I made fun and colorful quilts and also tried making custom totebags for friends. I was getting closer but still not quite satisfied.

A few years later several things occurred around the same time that led to a big turning point in my work.I decided that I wanted to paint, stamp and write on my quilts (after being an avid Quilting Arts Magazine fan for years this seemed like a good idea). I decided to make an "art quilt" for a charity auction and it was a big success. This led to several commissioned fiber art pieces. I also joined the Contemporary Fiber Art and Quilt Alliance (my first time in company with other quilters and artists) around that time. Being in the presence of other creative people on the same journey as I am opened me to trying more new mediums and techniques. I also took a class with a wonderful artist (Laura Cater-Woods) who is also a creativity coach. The advice I received from her helped me find my artistic voice. She taught me many things but the advice that made the biggest difference for me was she told me it was okay to work in small formats This was one of my big AHA moments. Until then I thought I needed to make large fiber pieces (which I was trying to do but never completing). She also introduced me to watersoluble crayons (to die for!). The other moment came soon after while sketching some drawings for future fiber art. I was enjoying the sketching process immensely (sketching was a new activity based on advice from the fabulous creativity coach) but was becoming frustrated when I realized there would never be enough time to actually make the drawings into the fiber art. Well, DUH,my next AHA moment. Why can't the drawings be the end product of my artistic process? So, I began to draw and paint! I love the immediacy as compared to fiber art which takes much more time to create. Well, that's my story. At least so far. I hope you find you find your way on your creative path as I have found mine. Happy creating!

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