Baltimore Sonnets

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Inspired by poetry Flirtation BY RITA DOVE After all, there’s no need to say anything at first. An orange, peeled and quartered, flares like a tulip on a wedgewood plate Anything can happen. Outside the sun has rolled up her rugs and night strewn salt across the sky. My heart is humming a tune I haven’t heard in years! Quiet’s cool flesh— let’s sniff and eat it. There are ways to make of the moment a topiary so the pleasure’s in walking through. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/31/2020 52,778 confirmed cases  2,532 deaths   3,764 recovered Update in New York State - 5/31/2020 370,770 confirmed cases  29,784 deaths    65,934 recovered Total in United States: 1,790,172 confirmed cases, 104,381 deaths Total Worldwide: 6,166,946 confirmed cases, 372,035 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Re...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Read lots of poetry today.  Baked a lemon cake.  Walked around my neighborhood.  Listened to a Toni Morrison interview about racism. Thought about Carroll's poem Jabberwocky.   Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll "Twas brillig, and the slithy toves          Did gyre and gimble in the wabe:  All mimsy were the borogoves,        And the mome raths outgrabe.  “Beware the Jabberwock, my son!        The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!  Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun        The frumious Bandersnatch!”  He took his vorpal sword in hand;        Long time the manxome foe he sought—  So rested he by the Tumtum tree        And stood awhile in thought.  And, as in uffish thought h...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic The Life of an Artist Today's postage stamp from Granada features the Quadrille of the Moulin Rouge by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec (1864-1901)  This offset lithograph printed stamp was issued on July 20, 1976. Toulouse-Lautrec is one of my favorite painters and printmakers.  I love his colorful and provocative posters of dancers and entertainers.  He is known for his theatrical works such as "At the Moulin Rouge."   The original Quadrille at the Moulin Rouge, oil on cardboard, 81 x 59.8 cm, is housed in the Smithsonian National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Born in France, Toulouse-Lautrec died from alchololism at the young age of 36.  *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/29/2020 50,988 confirmed cases  2,466 deaths   3,571 recovered Update in New York State - 5/29/2020 368,284 confirmed cases  29,646 deaths    65,289 recovered Total in United States: ...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic What the world needs now . . .  Postcard no. 67.   I am swell.  Wish you were here. by Suzanne Coley Is Love, Sweet Love *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/28/2020 49,709 confirmed cases  2,428 deaths   3,468 recovered Update in New York State - 5/28/2020 366,733 confirmed cases  29,529 deaths    64,954 recovered Total in United States: 1,721,753 confirmed cases, 101,616 deaths Total Worldwide: 5,808,672 confirmed cases, 360,289 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic The Gracious Light of the Sun Here is a sneak peek of my newest book, Sonnet VII. All pages are custom printed using linocuts and silkscreens.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/27/2020 48,423 confirmed cases  2,392 deaths   3,401 recovered Update in New York State - 5/27/2020 364,965 confirmed cases  29,484 deaths    64,632 recovered Total in United States: 1,699,126 confirmed cases, 100,411 deaths Total Worldwide: 5,690,951 confirmed cases, 355,615 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Balloons and Little Horse Today's postage stamp is from Romania.  Issued on 26 November 1981, this postage stamp celebrates children's games, with a print run of 475,000.  The illustration on the postage stamp is by American artist Norman Rockwell (3 February 1894 - 8 November 1978). Norman Rockwell paintings and illustrations continue to have a broad appeal in the United States for their reflection of American culture  through two World Wars, the Great Depression, and the civil rights struggles.   According to the Norman Rockwell Museum, "his works often provided levity during times of great strife."  Rockwell is most famous for his illustrations of everyday life for the covers for The Saturday Evening Post magazine for more than fifty years. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/26/2020 47,687 confirmed cases  2,333 deaths   3,334 recovered Update in New York State - 5/26/2020 363,8...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic  Today is Memorial Day, J dressed in period costume at Fort McHenry National Monument, Baltimore an official federal holiday in the United States for paying tribute to those who have fought and died while serving in the US Armed Forces.  From 1868 through 1970, Memorial Day was observed on May 30, now it is observed on the last Monday of May. Thank you to those in uniform serving today and to those who have served in the past.  *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/25/2020 47,152 confirmed cases  2,302 deaths   3,329 recovered Update in New York State - 5/25/2020 362,764 confirmed cases  29,229 deaths    64,280 recovered Total in United States: 1,662,250 confirmed cases, 98,218 deaths Total Worldwide:       5,493,482 confirmed cases, 346,209 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the time of a Pandemic Postcard no. 63, I am swell.  Wish you were here.  by Suzanne Coley Today's postage stamp was issued in May 1974 by The Maldives to commemorate the life of Spanish painter Pablo Ruiz Picasso (1881-1974).  Picasso spent his adult life in France and is regarded as one of the most influential artists of the 20th Century. Six different stamps of Picasso's paintings were issued with this series. Today's postage stamp is called Les Deux Saltimbanques or Harlequin and His Companion.  The original 73 x 60 cm, oil on canvas, is housed at the Pushkin Museum, Moscow. According to Picasso's website, street entertainers, such as the figure of the harlequin or acrobat "represented for Picasso the dark side of the city" and they would feature prominently in his work over the next few years.   Today in the news: *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/24/2020 46,313 confirmed cases  2,277 ...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Stamps as History Today's postage stamp is from the German Democratic Republic (GDR); Deutsche Demokratische Republik (DDR),  Magdeburg.  I don't know much about the history of this stamp and am very curious about it. Issued on 23 September 1969, it is a photogravure print with a face value of 10 Pf. - East German pfennig with a print run of 10,000,000.  I looked on-line for information and read that the theme of the issue was "Anniversaries and Jubilees/ Buildings/ Coats of Arms/ Townscapes/ City views".  Series: 20 years GDR Expiry date: 2 October 1990.  Stamp number: DD 1134    Michel: DD 1500 *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/23/2020 45,495 confirmed cases  2,243 deaths   3,283 recovered Update in New York State - 5/23/2020 359,926 confirmed cases  29,031 deaths    63,292 recovered Total in United States: 1,622,612 confirmed cases, 97,...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Keep Dreaming Big! Today's stamp is from The Republic of Maldives.  Issued on February 1, 1974, it is a multicolored offset lithographic print of Mercury-Atlas and astronaut John Glenn. Mercury-Atlas (MA-6) was the first American orbital space flight, which took place February 20, 1962. It was piloted by John Glenn and operated by NASA as part of Project Mercury. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/22/2020 44,424 confirmed cases  2,207 deaths   3,243 recovered Update in New York State - 5/22/2020 358,154 confirmed cases  28,853 deaths    63,292 recovered Total in United States: 1,600,937 confirmed cases, 95,979 deaths Total Worldwide:       5,210,817 confirmed cases, 338,160 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic DREAM BIG! Today's postage stamp is from Romania.  Issued on 15 January 1964, it is an offset lithographic print of American astronaut John Herschel Glenn. On 20 February 1962, Glenn flew the Friendship 7 mission, becoming the first American to orbit the earth, circling it three times.  Glenn was the fifth person and third American in space. On May 5, 1961, Alan Barlett Shepard piloted the Mercury-Redstone 3 mission and became the first American, and the second person, to travel into space. Virgil "Gus" Grissom was the second American in space and the first NASA astronaut to fly twice in space. Yuri Gagarin was the first man in space.  His flight, on 12 April 1961, lasted 108 minutes as he circled the Earth for a little more than one orbit in the Soviet Union's Vostok spacecraft. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/21/2020 43,531 confirmed cases  2,159 deaths   3,099 recovered Upd...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic I've been so inspired this week. Especially when I found these beautiful crystals when I was looking through my bead drawer.  I bought them when I visited Seoul, South Korea a few years ago.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/20/2020 42,323 confirmed cases  2,123 deaths    2,993 recovered Update in New York State - 5/20/2020 354,370 confirmed cases  28,636 deaths    61,886 recovered Total in United States: 1,551,668 confirmed cases, 93,431 deaths Total Worldwide:       4,995,712 confirmed cases, 328,095 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Today's postage stamp is from Rwanda Issued on February 23, 1980, this commemorative stamp celebrated Rotary International's 75th Anniversary.  The multicolored stamp has a prominent design of a globe and the San Francisco Emblem.   Rotary International is a non-political and non-religious organization that provides humanitarian service and advances goodwill.  Its headquarters is in Evanston, Illinois, USA. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/19/2020 41,546 confirmed cases  2,081 deaths    2,868 recovered Update in New York State - 5/19/2020 352,845 confirmed cases  28,558 deaths    61,886 recovered Total in United States: 1,527,895 confirmed cases, 91,878 deaths Total Worldwide:       4,896,312 confirmed cases, 323,221 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Sending you warm greetings! Deltiology  - Terminology for the study of postcards.  Taken from Greek   δελτίον ,  deltion , diminutive of  δέλτος ,  deltos , writing tablet, letter; and  -λογία , -logia.  This term was first used by Professor Randall Rhodes of Ashland, Ohio in 1945.  Alternate words for the study of postcards is Cartology and Cartophilist. These are my handmade postcards created each day during the pandemic.  I wish everyone good health and cheer during this time.  💛Stay safe! *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/18/2020 39,762 confirmed cases  2,023 deaths    2,817 recovered Update in New York State - 5/18/2020 351,371 confirmed cases  28,339 deaths    61,381 recovered Total in United States: 1,508,291confirmed cases, 90,340 deaths Total Worldwide:       4,801,943 confirmed cases, 318,465 ...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic A look back today. Some of the first textiles I transformed into books were African clothing and textiles.  These textiles were gifted to me by the National Museum of African Art library in Washington, DC.  It was an experimental project in which I transformed textiles into one-of-a-kind hard cover books.  I met with a mentor, a senior Smithsonian art historian, a curator and/or conservationist bi-monthly.  They would review my work and offer suggestions.  At the end of fourteen months, I completed twelve books.  Two of these books are in their permanent collection. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/17/2020 38,804 confirmed cases  1,992 deaths    2,816 recovered Update in New York State - 5/17/2020 350,121 confirmed cases  28,232 deaths    61,381 recovered Total in United States: 1,486,757 confirmed cases, 89,562 deaths Total Worldwide: ...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Sketching my design on fabric. Today I want to give you a glimpse of my embroidery process.   I usually have a clear vision of what the final design or pattern will look like. Therefore, with a permanent fabric marker,  I draw an outline where I want the design to go.  This is done  free hand, directly on the fabric.  It is a little risky.  Any mistake at this critical point can destroy the whole page.  However, over the years, with practice, I've learned to successfully transfer a design directly from my thoughts onto fabric in one step.   It takes me about 400 hours to create one of my books, and if I sketched and planned every single drawing on a separate piece of paper, I would never finish.  *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/16/2020 37,968 confirmed cases  1,957 deaths    2,806 recovered Update in New York State - 5/16/2020 348,232 confirmed cases...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Two Postcards and a Mask Today I made my first children's masks and I was reminded of a childhood activity that was very popular decades ago - Pen Pal Programs.  Having a pen pal was a great way to practice penmanship, to learn more about other cultures and lifestyles, and to develop friendships. My life was enriched by writing these letters and receiving them, especially if the pen pal lived in a foreign country.   Therefore, today when I mailed the masks I also included two postcards for the children.  I encouraged the children to write messages on the postcards and mail them to a pen pal.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/15/2020 36,986 confirmed cases  1,911 deaths    2,685 recovered Update in New York State - 5/15/2020 345,813 confirmed cases  27,878 deaths    60,302 recovered Total in United States: 1,442,657 confirmed cases, 87,530 deaths Total W...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Face Masks When the CDC recommended wearing face coverings in public to slow the spread of the coronavirus, I had already begun experimenting with different patterns.  The main problem I encountered with some of the available patterns was the fit.  The masks didn't fit snugly or comfortably around my face.  I had to make several adjustments to ensure a proper fit.   This week I went online and found a really nice pattern at  Joann Fabrics'  website.  They also have a "how to" video that shows you how to make shaped face mask with tips for making cloth ties instead of elastic straps.   I've been using various textiles and fabrics from my quilting and book art stash.  These fabrics are much thicker, with tighter weaves than most cotton fabrics.  They also have pleasant, flowery patterns that are cheerful to look at.  And, these days, I like a lot of "cheer." *Coronavirus Disease...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Shakespeare Sonnets I've been working on my textile books inspired by Shakespeare Sonnets. This is a glimpse of one of the books I am currently working on.  They read like visual poems, full of rhythm, rhyme, complexity, and emotion.  I love making them, although they take so many hours to complete. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/13/2020 34,812 confirmed cases  1,809 deaths    2,456 recovered Update in New York State - 5/13/2020 340,661 confirmed cases  27,477 deaths    59,193 recovered Total in United States: 1,390,361 confirmed cases, 84,119 deaths Total Worldwide:       4,345,646 confirmed cases, 297,108 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic I am swell.  Wish you were here.  postcard series by Suzanne Coley Postcard no. 51  HemisFair '68 postage stamp.   This stamp was issued on 30 March 1968 to publicize the opening of the HemisFair '68 in Southwestern United States. The official 1968 International Exposition or World's Fair, HemisFair '68 was held in San Antonio from 6 April through 6 October.  The theme of the fair was "The Confluence of Civilization in the Americas", celebration the many mixed cultural heritages of the region. More than thirty nations and fifteen corporations hosted pavilions at the fair. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/12/2020 34,061 confirmed cases  1,756 deaths    2,397 recovered Update in New York State - 5/12/2020 338,485 confirmed cases  27,284 deaths    58,679 recovered Total in United States: 1,369,386 confirmed cases, 82,339 deaths T...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic 1980 Moscow Olympic Games Postcard no. 50 - I am swell.  Wish you were here.  by Suzanne Coley This postage stamp from the Republic of Equatorial Guinea features an American discus thrower at the 1980 Moscow Olympic games.   What is interesting about this stamp?  In 1980, the United States boycotted the Olympic Games in Moscow because the Soviet Union failed to comply with President Jimmy Carter's February 20, 1980 deadline to withdraw its troops from Afghanistan.   I was a high school student in NYC, and it was the first time I saw how political sports could be, both domestically and internationally.  I remember the television news announcements, the protests, the newspaper articles, and the voices of athletes and coaches. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/11/2020 33,373 confirmed cases  1,683 deaths    2,298 recovered Update in New York State - 5/11/2020 337,055 conf...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Experiments with textiles During this quarantine and lock-in, I've been experimenting with various embroidery techniques and styles that I had little time to explore.  This is one of the textile pages I've been working on for a few weeks.  It needs about 10 more hours of embroidery and beading before it's ready for binding with the other pages.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/10/2020 32,587 confirmed cases  1,644 deaths    2,293 recovered Update in New York State - 5/10/2020 335,395 confirmed cases  26,641 deaths    58,006 recovered Total in United States: 1,329,260 confirmed cases, 79,526 deaths Total Worldwide:       4,101,699 confirmed cases, 282,709 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Strong Mind in a Sound Body 5 Cent Centennial of the Sokols - Physical Fitness stamp was issued in the United States on February 15, 1965.  This stamp commemorates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Sokol athletic organization in the US, and promotes the importance of physical fitness.   This was beautifully printed by the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing.  *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/9/2020 31,534 confirmed cases  1,614 deaths   Update in New York State - 5/9/2020 333,122 confirmed cases  26,612 deaths Total in United States: 1,309,550 confirmed cases, 78,795 deaths Total Worldwide:       4,024,009 confirmed cases, 279,311 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic I 💛 Decorative Arts  15 cent vintage American stamps featuring a Pennsylvania Toleware coffee pot and sugar bowl.  Issued on April 19, 1979, these designs were created by Bradbury Thompson.  He based the designs on watercolor renderings in the Index of American Design in the National Gallery of Art.  The Index is a collection of more than 18,000 renderings of American folk and decorative arts objects from 1700 to 1900.   I love creating postcards with these stamps, therefore you may see them a few more times in my series: I am swell.  Wish you were here. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/8/2020 30,485 confirmed cases  1,560 deaths   Update in New York State - 5/8/2020 330,407 confirmed cases  26,243 deaths Total in United States: 1,283,929 confirmed cases, 77,180 deaths Total Worldwide:       3,938,064 confirmed cases, 274,898 deaths * All nu...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Folk Art Today's stamp is a vintage US postage stamp of a Pennsylvania Toleware curved spouted coffee pot.  This stamp was issued on April 19, 1979 as part of the American Folk Art Series.  *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/7/2020 29,374 confirmed cases  1,503 deaths   Update in New York State - 5/7/2020 327,469 confirmed cases  26,144 deaths, (no longer reports number of deaths in NYC - change in interface) Total in United States: 1,256,972 confirmed cases, 75,662 deaths Total Worldwide:       3,846,816 confirmed cases, 269,584 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Quarantine Passion Hand embroidered fabric postcard by Suzanne Coley 6th Anniversary of the Constitution is the title of today's stamp from Cabo Verde.  Issued on April 15, 1981, six years after getting its independence from Portugal, this tiny stamp speaks volumes about the history of Cabo Verde. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/6/2020 28,163 confirmed cases  1,437 deaths   Update in New York State - 5/6/2020 323,978 confirmed cases  25,623 deaths, (no longer reports number of deaths in NYC - change in interface) Total in United States: 1,228,603 confirmed cases, 73,431 deaths Total Worldwide:       3,755,341 confirmed cases, 263,239 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Keep moving Today I spent most of my time in the studio experimenting with silkscreens and linocuts.  It felt refreshing to work at my own pace, in my own space -- just concentrating on creating stories.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/5/2020 27,117 confirmed cases  1,390 deaths   Update in New York State - 5/5/2020 321,192  confirmed cases  25,124 deaths, (no longer reports number of deaths in NYC - change in interface) Total in United States: 1,204,351 confirmed cases, 71,043 deaths Total Worldwide:       3,662,101 confirmed cases, 257,207 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic History at my finger tips. The Spanish explorer with Spain's royal banner in the red background caught my attention.  The 1965 stamp appeared to be European, but it was issued in the United States.  How was this possible?  The stamp commemorated the St. Augustine, Florida settlement of 1565.  It was the first continuous permanent European (Spanish) settlement in the new world. Spain ceded Florida to the US in 1819. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/4/2020 26,408 confirmed cases  1,317 deaths   Update in New York State - 5/4/2020 318,953  confirmed cases  24,999 deaths, including 18,925 in NYC Total in United States: 1,180,288 confirmed cases, 68,922 deaths Total Worldwide:       3,582,469 confirmed cases, 251,510 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Embracing change. Today I began working on a smaller series of books similar to the ones I created in 2015.  It was fun experimenting with ideas I never had time to explore.  Some experiments came out well and others will need a little more work.  It was a refreshing change and I look forward to posting some of the experiments soon.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/3/2020 25,462 confirmed cases  1,281 deaths   Update in New York State - 5/3/2020 316,415  confirmed cases  24,708 deaths, including 18,925 in NYC Total in United States: 1,158,040 confirmed cases, 67,682 deaths Total Worldwide:       3,506,729 confirmed cases, 247,470 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Art is Life I had a good week printmaking and finalizing some projects I began before the quarantine.  Hope your week is going well and you are safe.   Thanks for stopping by! *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/2/2020 24,473 confirmed cases  1,251 deaths   Update in New York State - 5/2/2020 312,977 confirmed cases  24,039 deaths, including 18,491 in NYC Total in United States: 1,132,539 confirmed cases, 66,369 deaths Total Worldwide:       3,427,343 confirmed cases, 243,808 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic EMBARK: Travel the World with Stamps I am swell.  Wish you were here.  Postcard series by Suzanne Coley, 5/1/2020 Today's stamps really took me on a journey.  Over the years, I visited three of the countries: Russia, Spain, and Mexico.  Looking at the stamps brought back wonderful memories of my trips.   I was surprised to see Flemish paintings on two stamps issued by different countries on different continents: Mahra State's 1960s stamp of Husband and Wife by Anthony Van Dyck.  Paraguay's 1987 Christmas stamp by Peter Paul Ruebens.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 5/1/2020 23,472 confirmed cases  1,080 deaths  (Note: 4/30/2020 total was 1,140) Update in New York State - 5/1/2020 308,314 confirmed cases  24,039 deaths, including 18,399 in NYC Total in United States: 1,103,461 confirmed cases, 64,943 deaths Total Worldwide:       3,343,777 confirm...