Baltimore Sonnets

Researching printmaking and painting techniques in Germany. This is the beginning of a new chapter in my artistic process and I am excited about my upcoming projects. I truly appreciated the technical details of the aquatints and woodcuts by scientist Hans-Peter Elsasser.   It was great to be able to touch and study the actual printmaking plates. And, then be able to analyze the printmaking plates next to the actual prints on paper.    

So excited to be printing in a new space!   I will be expanding the ongoing series of textile books, Love Sonnets From Shakespeare to Baltimore. My long-term goal is to make a unique book inspired by each of Shakespeare's 154 sonnets.   The new books will continue to combine relief printmaking (wood and linoleum) with silk screen printing on textiles. Why use the silk screen process for printing text and designs on fabric?  Even though it is multi-step process to create a silk screen, especially when making screens from scratch, I love the final look. This form of printmaking allows me to print Shakespeare's sonnets on textiles in interesting ways.  Each print is custom made, allowing the "reading" of text and imagery to incorporate multiple perspectives.

So wonderful to see Sonia Delaunay's textiles, paintings, books, fashions, and tapestries in person at Bard Graduate Center, NYC.    The exhibition consists of almost 200 objects created over Delaunay's decades-long career.   There are four floors of objects, and each floor captures an aspect of her creative spirit, artistic practice, and marketing methods.   On view at Bard Grad Center until July 7, 2024.

A quilted response to the Bard's sonnet 104 Hand carved linocut printed on dyed textile with machine and hand piecing Three Winters Cold by Suzanne Coley To me, fair friend, you never can be old, For as you were when first your eye I eyed, Such seems your beauty still. Three winters cold, Have from the forests shook three summers' pride, Three beauteous springs to yellow autumn turned, In process of the seasons have I seen, Three April perfumes in three hot Junes burned, Since first I saw you fresh, which yet are green. Ah! yet doth beauty like a dial-hand, Steal from his figure, and no pace perceived; So your sweet hue, which methinks still doth stand, Hath motion, and mine eye may be deceived:    For fear of which, hear this thou age unbred:    Ere you were born was beauty's summer dead. - William Shakespeare  

O, wonder! How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! O brave new world, That has such people in't. The Tempest ~Shakespeare What a magnificent experience!

I am so excited to be back in the letterpress studio!   I am doing the prep work for one of the most ambitious projects I've done in a long time.  Stay tuned for more posts about this project and my residency in October at the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.  

Is the Work Link to my talk Coloring Shakespeare: Book Arts, Wedding Gowns, and Poetry at the recent RaceB4Race : Poetics conference.

What a dream to work with the scholars and staff at Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies! So honored to be part of the invited speakers to RaceB4Race: Poetics.  Here is the link to my talk Coloring Shakespeare: Book Arts, Wedding Gowns and Poetry

To Baltimore: Book 18 Wet A Widow's Eye by Suzanne Coley Linocut and silkscreen on handprinted textile, 2022  

There are moments in life when you know that things will change forever.  You will never perceive the world the same way.  You will never create the same way.   So few of these moments are captured in photos.  This photo was taken at the National Museum of African Art in 2018 after I finished working on a series of twelve unique books called Sun Mirrors.   Primary Lessons is one of twelve unique books in the Sun Mirrors series.   Each book was created with African textiles I received from the museum's library.

linocut on textile by Suzanne Coley from her series Love Sonnets from Shakespeare to Baltimore, 2021 Be not afeard; the isle is full of noises, Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not. Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments Will hum about mine ears; and sometime voices, That, if I then had waked after long sleep, Will make me sleep again: and then, in dreaming, The clouds methought would open, and show riches Ready to drop upon me; that, when I waked, I cried to dream again.    ~ Caliban, The Tempest         William Shakespeare

  I loved creating the poster for this play, and all the plays for Baltimore Center Stage this season. All my designs were inspired by the actual scripts, and The Glorious World of Crowns, Kinks and Curls by Keli Goff is amazing.  It will make you laugh and it will make you cry. I can't wait to see it. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 2/21/2021 376,355 confirmed cases  7,715 deaths   9,606 recovered Update in New York State - 2/21/2021 1,591,672 confirmed cases  46,812 deaths    142,307 recovered Total in United States: 28,133,620 confirmed cases, 498,879 deaths Total Worldwide: 111,333,959 confirmed cases, 2,465,502 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

 from Shakespeare to Baltimore I've been working on some new work for my book arts series.  Lots of experiments with traditional quilting techniques.  I love printing on fabric.  The textures are so rich and beautiful.  It is hard to capture all of the nuances with my camera.  Stay safe. *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 12/20/2020 250,808 confirmed cases  5,448 deaths   9,114 recovered Update in New York State - 12/20/2020 848,042 confirmed cases  36,431 deaths    94,579 recovered Total in United States: 17,840,000 confirmed cases, 317,667 deaths Total Worldwide: 76,789,781 confirmed cases, 1,693,578 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

As I work on new images for Love Sonnets from Shakespeare to Baltimore,  I'm reminded of the wonderful inspirations found on the shelves of the Smithsonian libraries.   I miss the feel of vintage paper and being surrounded by books.    *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 11/29/2020 196,447 confirmed cases  4,625 deaths   8,607 recovered Update in New York State - 11/29/2020 641,161 confirmed cases  34,561 deaths    85,287 recovered Total in United States: 13,376,113 confirmed cases, 266,838 deaths Total Worldwide: 62,670,153 confirmed cases, 1,458,360 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center

Making a book for textile historians has been very exciting. When I begin a project I usually review the history of the textiles and their conditions.  I ask a few questions such as: Will these fabric stand the test of time?  Do I have to cut around designs?  Do I have enough "archival" textile to make a whole page or do I have to collage the remnants with other materials?    For this book, all of the fabrics are in perfect condition, which allows me to design interesting prints.  I should be finished in a week and look forward to posting.   *Coronavirus Disease 2019: Update in Maryland- 8/26/2020 105,486 confirmed cases  3,717 deaths   6,061 recovered Update in New York State - 8/26/2020 431340 confirmed cases  32,921 deaths    74,791 recovered Total in United States: 5,820,113 confirmed cases, 179,657 deaths Total Worldwide: 24,032,128 confirmed cases, 822,480 deaths * All numbers are taken from Johns Hopkins Coronavirus...

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 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 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 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...