Baltimore Sonnets

Passion 

The Craft of Poetry Love's Fire: Sonnet 154, 2024 Carefully selected words beaded with emotion  stitched into verse.  Tangled histories  twisted and knotted for generations  to debate.  Beneath hidden layers of symbolism  we still question the threads.  Glistening  through centuries the edits fade only the foundation shines.  Fourteen lines some angled, some curved.   The straight ones come to a dead  end.   Period.   The needle has made the final mark.   Suzanne Coley My thoughts as I worked on this quilt, Love's Fire: Sonnet 154, during the month of January 2024.  

It was so satisfying to visit the National Museum of African Art library on Tuesday, June 25, 2019 and see two of my textile artist's books in their permanent collection. In 2016-17, I created twelve books during an experimental project at the museum's library.  I was given clothing and fabrics from their collection and transformed them into unique books.  My goal was to create functional and beautiful textile books without sacrificing the archival properties. Finding the best archival-grade and durable adhesives, threads, and backings for the textiles took a lot time and experimentation.  Consulting with specialists at the Smithsonian and the Textile Museum about products and techniques was very helpful. It was wonderful to be able to discuss the history of specific types of textiles: How they were made.  What dyes were used.  How they were worn.  When they were made.  Who made them. Many thanks to my mentor, Janet Stanley and...

What is it? Do you know any book artists?   To celebrate my love and passion for creating unique handmade books with you, during the month of February I will leave a handmade book at a local public library.  You find it, you keep it. Today I am leaving a book at Towson Library in the Teen Section. I remember the first time my grandmother allowed me to touch one of her beautifully textured and layered artist's books.  She often used textiles and mixed media fiber art to make her books. Hers were scented with herbs stuck between the pages.  As I turned each page, the experience was multisensory.   During her time, these beauties were not considered art, but were "evidence of existence" and "bound memories." *Follow me on Instagram , to find out where the next books will be left.

Unperson Erased from books.   I am writing them back in.

Hand Painting Textiles One of the best surprises I had while working on my textiles books was the opportunity to hand paint fabrics. For me, the best fabrics to paint are cottons and linens.  I really like handwoven linens the best, however, they are expensive and hard to find.   The ones I used are from a trip to a small town in Germany (near Kassel). The above photo is my work station after a good day painting.

I have been taking morning walks in tranquil Maryland meadows.   Walking through clouds There is nothing more grounding than walking through clouds.

Balancing Act Finding the Right Balance Handmade Book 365 Materials  1. Lithographs 2. Linocuts 3. Vintage maps 4. Pastels 5. Acrylic paints 6. Pencils 7. Vellum s 8. Stamps Binding & Cover 1. Book boards .087 2. Archival adhesives 3. Acrylic mediums 4. Linen thread Techniques 1. Drawings 2. Mixed Media 3. Linocuts 4. Lithographs Text ...

Relief Handmade Book 362 Materials  1. Linocuts 2. Silkscreens 3. Vintage maps 4. Pastels 5. Acrylic paints 6. Pencils 7. Vellum s Binding & Cover 1. Book boards .087 2. Archival adhesives 3. Acrylic mediums 4. Linen thread Techniques 1. Drawings 2. Mixed Media 3. Linocuts 4. Silkscreens Text Relief

Pictures and Words  Handmade book 351 Materials 1. Linocuts 2. Antique maps 3. Silkscreens 4. Pastels 5. Acrylic paints 6. Pencils 7. Vellum Binding & Cover 1. Book boards .087 2. Archival adhesives 3. Acrylic mediums 4. Linen thread Techniques 1. Drawings 2. Mixed Media 3. Linocuts Text Her Only ID

Handmade book 343 Materials 1. Mathematics pages 2. Linocuts 3. Antique world maps 4. Pastels 5. Acrylic paints 6. Pencils 7. Vellum 8. Decorative papers Binding & Cover 1. Book boards .087 2. Archival adhesives 3. Acrylic mediums 4. Linen thread Techniques 1. Drawings 2. Mixed Media 3. Linocuts Text Relief

Mixed media handmade book 333 Materials 1. Linocuts 2. Gold leaf 3. Pastels 4. Decorative papers 5. Acrylic paints 6. Pencils 7. Vellum Binding & Cover 1. Book boards .087 2. Archival adhesives 3. Acrylic mediums 4. Linen thread Techniques 1. Illustrations 2. Mixed Media 3. Linocuts Text Marked

Mixed media handmade book 329 Materials 1. Linocuts 2. Handmade papers (made in Baltimore) 3. Music sheets 4. Decorative papers 5. Acrylic paints 6. Pencils 7. Vellum Binding & Cover 1. Book boards .087 2. Archival adhesives 3. Acrylic mediums 4. Linen thread Techniques 1. Illustrations 2. Mixed Media 3. Linocuts Text Screws ...