Baltimore Sonnets

Sending Good Cheers and Beauty During Tough Times During COVID-19, I've made over 450 postcards.  In April I mailed around 60 cards to members of the African American Quilters of Baltimore, to let them know that I was thinking about them.  We couldn't meet in person and I wanted to send them something beautiful in the mail. I decided to archive the rest of the postcards. They have become a wonderful record of how I experienced each day during COVID-19, especially the beginning days of lock-down.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 12/23/2020 257,862 confirmed cases  5,568 deaths   9,128 recovered Update in New York State - 12/23/2020 878,702 confirmed cases  36,873 deaths    96,185 recovered Total in United States: 18,381,991 confirmed cases, 325,097 deaths Total Worldwide: 78,471,775 confirmed cases, 1,725,959  deaths

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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