Baltimore Sonnets

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Ordering supplies during the pandemic I must talk about ordering art supplies during the pandemic.  In February I was commissioned to create original art for Baltimore Center Stage .  I knew I wanted to hand carve all images on linoleum and then print them on paper.  Art stores began closing in March and by April, I realized I wasn't going to be able to order enough linoleum to finish the projects.   Fortunately, I purchased a roll (12" by 90 ft) of linoleum in 2019 and I had about 45 feet left.  I used every inch of linoleum for the posters.  For some of the posters, I incorporated other printmaking techniques such as silkscreening and mono printing.  I love the results.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/30/2020 67,559 confirmed cases  3,190 deaths   4,982 recovered Update in New York State - 6/30/2020 393,454 confirmed cases  ...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Leaving traces . . .  *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/29/2020 67,254 confirmed cases  3,168 deaths   4,976 recovered Update in New York State - 6/29/2020 393,069 confirmed cases  31,403 deaths    70,435 recovered Total in United States: 2,588,020 confirmed cases, 126,131 deaths Total Worldwide: 10,275,392 confirmed cases, 504,851 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Radical Quilting  I loved reading about quilter Rosie Lee Tompkins in today's NY Times.  Wonderful article by art critic Roberta Smith .   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/28/2020 66,777 confirmed cases  3,168 deaths   4,976 recovered Update in New York State - 6/28/2020 392,539 confirmed cases  31,397 deaths    70,010 recovered Total in United States: 2,544,418 confirmed cases, 125,768 deaths Total Worldwide: 10,104,045 confirmed cases, 500,882 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

On Friday, 26 June, 2020, Milton Glaser died at the age of 91.  I wrote this blog post on 3 December 2013 and am reposting it again today in memory of his wonderful work.  1977, the year    I LOVE NEW YORK advertisements kicked off with a bang! The year I realized art is not just for walls and museums: It can be part of life. Both a song and a logo, everyone in NYC was singing the song on the buses, on the trains, in my middle school and in the streets. The logo was designed by  graphic designer extraordinaire   Milton Glaser , and his iconic  I (heart) New York was on stickers, posters, signs, T-shirts, mugs, pencils, my notebook -- everywhere. I still remember Stephanie Mills and the cast of the Broadway musical  The Wiz  singing the song and dancing! Milton Glaser also designed the  fabulous poster for The Wiz. My favorite image by Milton Glaser was created in 1966...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic I am swell.  Wish you were here .  Postcard series. I haven't been posting the postcard series lately, so I want to update you on their status.  I am still making postcards daily.  However, they have turned into something much more personal and academic.   On the personal side, I have been creating the background and base images from leftover fabrics from my art practice.  I didn't really know what to do with the scraps, and during the pandemic I discovered that they make excellent background material for postcards.  Also, the leftover beads and sequins make great embellishments! On the academic side, I never noticed how political some postage stamps are.  How stamps contain important historical information that becomes so embedded in our cultural norms that we forget they were, and still are, created by governments.  *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/26/2020 66,115 confirme...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic The Journey  Seoul, Korea, 2014  *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/25/2020 65,777 confirmed cases  3,129 deaths   4,874 recovered Update in New York State - 6/25/2020 390,415 confirmed cases  31,301 deaths    70,010 recovered Total in United States: 2,418,356 confirmed cases, 125,796 deaths Total Worldwide: 9,581,748 confirmed cases, 490,141 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic No Going Back So honored to create artwork for theatre during this historic time.  Today Baltimore Center Stage Theatre announced their 2020/21 Season and my commissioned artwork.    For the last few months, I have been reading plays and creating images based on the scripts. Read more at Where We Stand  by BCS. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/24/2020 65,337 confirmed cases  3,108 deaths   4,810 recovered Update in New York State - 6/24/2020 389,666 confirmed cases  31,257 deaths    69,710* recovered (*This number has been the same for 3 days) Total in United States: 2,380,452 confirmed cases, 121,969 deaths Total Worldwide: 9,405,800 confirmed cases, 482,128 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Words and Images Stories buried beneath the glitter. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/23/2020 65,007 confirmed cases  3,092 deaths   4,797 recovered Update in New York State - 6/23/2020 389,085 confirmed cases  31,232 deaths    69,710 recovered Total in United States: 2,346,937 confirmed cases, 121,224 deaths Total Worldwide: 9,239,794 confirmed cases, 476,945 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a  Pandemic Archiving my linoleum blocks. Spent the day cleaning my studio and archiving some of my older works.  Making room for new prints and books.   Hoping everyone is safe! *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/22/2020 64,603 confirmed cases  3,074 deaths   4,776 recovered Update in New York State - 6/22/2020 388,480 confirmed cases  31,176 deaths    69,710 recovered Total in United States: 2,310,786 confirmed cases, 120,393 deaths Total Worldwide: 9,074,624 confirmed cases, 471,640 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic The threads that connect us. AAQB quilting session, 2020 before the pandemic This week my quilting guild had its first virtual Zoom meeting.  I didn't realize how much I missed our sewing sessions until I saw everyone.  While we have been apart, we have been working on mini-quilts inspired by the events happening during the pandemic.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/21/2020 64,306 confirmed cases  3,066 deaths   4,773 recovered Update in New York State - 6/21/2020 387,436 confirmed cases  31,125 deaths    69,056 recovered Total in United States: 2,279,875 confirmed cases, 119,969 deaths Total Worldwide: 8,928,652 confirmed cases, 467,671 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Today's stamp is from Cuba: Issued on February 26, 1962, this offset lithograph print is part of the National Militia series.  This series of revolutionary Cuban stamps depict various backgrounds of militias - farmer, welder, and seamstress.  This is the 2 Cuban centavo stamp, featuring an armed worker and welder.  The 1 Cuban centavo stamp features an armed farmer and his tractor. The 10 Cuban centavo stamp features an armed woman and her sewing machine. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/20/2020 63,956 confirmed cases  3,052 deaths   4,745 recovered Update in New York State - 6/20/2020 387,272 confirmed cases  31,083 deaths    69,506 recovered Total in United States: 2,254,662 confirmed cases, 119,719 deaths Total Worldwide: 8,769,383 confirmed cases, 463,999 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Research and development day *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/19/2020 63,548 confirmed cases  3,030 deaths   4,685 recovered Update in New York State - 6/19/2020 386,556 confirmed cases  31,015 deaths    69,377 recovered Total in United States: 2,219,976 confirmed cases, 119,099 deaths Total Worldwide: 8,639,023 confirmed cases, 459,437 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic   Before and After: Finalizing a few projects.  Looking forward to showing you soon! *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/18/2020 63,229 confirmed cases  3,016 deaths   4,640 recovered Update in New York State - 6/18/2020 385,760  confirmed cases  30,974 deaths    69,243 recovered Total in United States: 2,189,128 confirmed cases, 118,421 deaths Total Worldwide: 8,463,533 confirmed cases, 453,268 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic LIFE hand marbled paper with collage by Suzanne Coley, 2015 Each day there is a new story to tell.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/17/2020 62,969 confirmed cases  2,996 deaths   4,596 recovered Update in New York State - 6/17/2020 385,142  confirmed cases  30,939 deaths    69,085 recovered Total in United States: 2,162,785 confirmed cases, 117,709 deaths Total Worldwide: 8,328,538 confirmed cases, 448,455 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Sun Mirrors embroidered page from new book On the edge of Earth sits my library At sunrise I walk along sparkling symphonies Life songs from distant shores Captured by midnight winds Carried by morning dew Halted dreams etched on rocks Shiny shards reflecting sunlight. I collect them, transcribe into color and language. Unpersons no longer, Placed back into the  Book of Existence     by Suzanne Coley *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/16/2020 62,409 confirmed cases  2,982 deaths   4,567 recovered Update in New York State - 6/16/2020 384,575  confirmed cases  30,897 deaths    68,938 recovered Total in United States: 2,136,208 confirmed cases, 116,905 deaths Total Worldwide: 8,152,885 confirmed cases, 441,407 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Winter's ragged hand . . . Sneak peek at my newest textile book inspired by Shakespeare's Sonnets.  Work in progress. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/15/2020 62,032 confirmed cases  2,942 deaths   4,567 recovered Update in New York State - 6/15/2020 383,944  confirmed cases  30,856 deaths    68,851 recovered Total in United States: 2,113,372 confirmed cases, 116,135 deaths Total Worldwide: 8,015,502 confirmed cases, 436,319 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Sometimes it is okay to ROAR! ROAR! a page from my 365 series Painted Songs, 2015 *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/14/2020 61,701 confirmed cases  2,939 deaths   4,541 recovered Update in New York State - 6/14/2020 383,324  confirmed cases  30,825 deaths    68,761 recovered Total in United States: 2,094,058 confirmed cases, 115,732 deaths Total Worldwide: 7,899,547 confirmed cases, 433,019 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic All I Have Handmade book All I Have by Suzanne Coley Photo credit: National Museum of Women in the Arts All I Have is part of a larger year-long book arts project inspired by African textiles I received from the National Museum of African Art Library.  While working on this project, there were numerous news reports about thousands of migrants traveling in unsafe, overcrowded rickety boats in the Mediterranean Sea to Europe.  Strong winds and bad weather conditions could easily capsize these boats, drowning everyone on board.   In the last 5 years, nearly 16,000 migrants have drowned while crossing the Mediterranean from North Africa in hopes of a better life in Europe.  One survivor of these death voyages described the ordeal as, "it was our only hope."  I imagined her story and gave voice to a mother's painful mourning of the loss of her son while crossing the Mediterranean in All I Have. *Cor...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Is it Christmas yet? Postcard no. 81 by Suzanne Coley   I love these jolly postage stamps.   Postcard no. 82 by Suzanne Coley I know Christmas is six months away, but it is nice to feel a little festive for a moment.  May you have a happy weekend! *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/12/2020 60,613 confirmed cases  2,900 deaths   4,474 recovered Update in New York State - 6/12/2020 381,714  confirmed cases  30,758 deaths    68,399 recovered Total in United States: 2,046,646 confirmed cases, 114,643 deaths Total Worldwide: 7,620,750 confirmed cases, 425,313 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Public places are slowly opening Looking forward to the Library opening soon.  This is a view of a some of my handmade books on exhibit at Baltimore County Public Library a few years ago. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/11/2020 60,197 confirmed cases  2,875 deaths   4,365 recovered Update in New York State - 6/11/2020 380,892  confirmed cases  30,480 deaths    68,211 recovered Total in United States: 2,023,385 confirmed cases, 113,818 deaths Total Worldwide: 7,502,278 confirmed cases, 421,032 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Research day Spent time today researching and studying.  Preparation for new books. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/10/2020 59,465 confirmed cases  2,844 deaths   4,310 recovered Update in New York State - 6/10/2020 380,156  confirmed cases  30,542 deaths    68,019 recovered Total in United States: 1,999,552 confirmed cases, 112,895 deaths Total Worldwide: 7,357,011 confirmed cases, 416,084 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Master Classes Now that Maryland is in phase II of re-opening, I am looking forward to working with skilled crafters of the African American Quilters of Baltimore.  The photo above is 87 year-old Mrs. Vera Hall showing me how to correct a few crooked paillettes on one of my textile pages.  It is a very tricky sewing process to precisely place medium sized sequins and paillettes along the edges of pages, and she showed me a few ways of accomplishing this. Usually you get to see hand sewn late 1800s quilts like this in museums behind glass.  In Baltimore, I get to see these beauties at my meetings.   One of my quilt sisters was restoring parts of it for a family.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/9/2020 58,904 confirmed cases  2,811 deaths   4,279 recovered Update in New York State - 6/9/2020 379,482  confirmed cases  30,458 deaths   ...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic 94 Years of Textile Stories After a three month pause due to COVID-19, I am back at work with the African-American Quilters of Baltimore.   Recording their stories, collecting samples of their work and turning their textile stories into beautiful handmade books. Growing up in NYC there were many women in my family and neighborhood who worked in the garment district.  I always loved hearing their stories of what it was like working with textiles and the things they were making.  I also loved to see the bits and pieces of textiles transformed by these very skilled women into evening gowns, bridal wear, upholstery, and curtains for Park Avenue homes.  Forever thankful for this unique and wonderful opportunity.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/8/2020 58,404 confirmed cases  2,776 deaths   4,240 recovered Update in New York State - 6/8/2020 378,799  confirmed cases ...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Postcard no. 77: You have the Power! by Suzanne Coley It was a little difficult selecting a postcard to publish on my blog tonight.  I had a few postcards ready, however, at the last minute I decided to post this one. Today's postage stamp was issued by the Republic of Equatorial Guinea.  The stamp features Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci at the 1980 Moscow Olympics when she won 2 gold medals. When I found this stamp tonight, I was overcome with emotions because I remember watching Nadia during her first Olympics,  the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.  It is during the 1976 Olympics that Nadia made history when she received the very first perfect score of 10.0 in gymnastics.  I witnessed her phenomenal performance on the uneven bars on television back in 1976. What was even more fascinating about witnessing history in the making was when the judges posted her 10 score.  They posted 1.0 instead of 10 because...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Postcard no. 76 by Suzanne Coley, 6/6/2020 *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/6/2020 57,482 confirmed cases  2,740 deaths   4,175 recovered Update in New York State - 6/6/2020 377,316  confirmed cases  30,280 deaths    67,261 recovered Total in United States: 1,919,430 confirmed cases, 109,791 deaths Total Worldwide: 6,855,858 confirmed cases, 398,321 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Freedom.  Liberty.  Equality.  Justice. Postcard no. 75 Freedom.  Liberty. Equality.  Justice. by Suzanne Coley, June 5, 2020 The USPS Forever stamps - Four Flags - Freedom, Liberty, Equality and Justice were issued on  February 22, 2012.   The quartet of stamps features the US flag.  On the bottom of each stamp, a single word appears in large black typeface: Freedom, Liberty, Equality, and Justice. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/5/2020 56,770 confirmed cases  2,702 deaths   4,159 recovered Update in New York State - 6/5/2020 376,208 confirmed cases  30,236 deaths    66,992 recovered Total in United States: 1,897,380 confirmed cases, 109,132 deaths Total Worldwide: 6,734,088 confirmed cases, 394,875 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Letters to My Sisters Many who read this blog know that I am a member of the African American Quilters of Baltimore. During the last two years, I've been interviewing senior members, many in their eighties and nineties, to record their stories and document their quilting styles and techniques. Due to COVID-19, all of our regular meetings have been cancelled.   Today when I was in my print studio, I decided to print a few special images for all the members.  I will mail a print and a letter to each of my "quilt sisters" tomorrow. Blessings to all. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/4/2020 55,858 confirmed cases  2,668 deaths   3,985 recovered Update in New York State - 6/4/2020 375,133 confirmed cases  30,174 deaths    66,756 recovered Total in United States: 1,872,660 confirmed cases, 108,211 deaths Total Worldwide: 6,632,985 confirmed cases, 391,136 deaths * All...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic L.A.N.G.U.A.G.E. noun 1.  the method of human communication, either spoken or written, consisting of the use of words in a structured and conventional way. 2.  a system of communication used by a particular country or community. This quote by Toni Morrison has had a profound impact on my work.   I have always been fascinated by language and its powers to convey a range of feelings, thoughts, principles, rules, laws, and customs.   And, as I move forward with my construction of handmade books, I know that this quote will continue to resonate strongly in my work.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/3/2020 54,982 confirmed cases  2,641 deaths   3,970 recovered Update in New York State - 6/3/2020 374,085 confirmed cases  30,019 deaths    66,502 recovered Total in United States: 1,851,530 confirmed cases, 107,148 deaths Total Worldwide: 6,429,453 co...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic When Life Slows to a Whisper Gracious Light, unique book made by Suzanne Coley,  6/2020 When life slows to a whisper, it is easier to notice that which has stood the test of time. Gracious Light, is the latest unique book in my series "Love Sonnets, From Shakespeare to Baltimore."  Conceived and created entirely during the pandemic in one of the hardest hit zip-codes in Baltimore, this textile book continues the style of deconstructionist couture that characterizes the entire series. The book's cover was the main technical challenge of the work.  The embroidery pattern on the front cover came from one of the vintage wedding dresses in my collection.  I had to re-embroider the entire pattern, which took a lot of planning.  It was necessary to sew every bead onto a bookbinding cloth to ensure that none of the beads would come off in the press.  The embroidery design on the back cover was created and sewn by...

My Art in the Time of a Pandemic Sonnet VII Page from my newest book Gracious Light, completed 6/1/2020 Today I finished another book for my series Love Sonnets, From Shakespeare to Baltimore.  My primary inspiration for this project is literary:  I am fascinated with Shakespearean sonnets, the fourteen-line masterpieces structured like logical arguments about the emotions influenced by love and hate. The secondary inspiration for this project is fashion history:  I am interested in historical textiles and their social, economic, and cultural significances. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 6/1/2020 5,327 confirmed cases  2,552 deaths   3,782 recovered Update in New York State - 6/1/2020 371,711 confirmed cases  29,917 deaths    66,110 recovered Total in United States: 1,811,370 confirmed cases, 105,165 deaths Total Worldwide: 6,265,496 confirmed cases, 375,526 deaths * All numbers are taken...