Allow me to present Putting on my Face, a symbographic work of art created with fabric and stitch. As I mentioned in my last post , I’m focusing on pieced art quilts made with wonky graphic symbols. Wonky graphic symbols, although it expresses the humorous and light-hearted intent, just isn’t the term I wanted. I’ve decided to call this style symbography. To read more about symbography, click here.
The Story
Why is there no human face in Putting on my Face? Sure, I could create symbographic faces. I doodled around and came up with some perfectly fine faces.
But then I remembered my grandma used the term “putting on my face” to refer to putting on her makeup. My grandmother didn’t use a lot of makeup (I don’t think I ever saw her with nail polish on her fingers), but I liked the term, and it was fun developing symbographs for of all sorts of makeup and personal care products.
The Color
In the past, I’ve used two colors to create my symbographic imagery, but this time I’m using more colors, but sticking with a monochrome color scheme—shades and tints of red. All but one of these fabrics came from my stash. It was fun remembering a long-outgrown hot pink dress I made and an equally bright tablecloth.
The Construction
I start out by cutting lots of strips of varying widths. Then I start stitching them back together in stripes, in shapes, and finally in symbographs. Then I cut some more and sew some more. There are very few pieces that I consider too small to reuse.
The Thread
I used lots of metallic thread to quilt Putting on my face. Again most were from my stash.
The Back
I thought I should show you the back. It’s a vintage border print. The weave is like huck toweling, the same as the pink dress I made, but the threads are much finer on the vintage fabric.
Symbography
How did I arrive at symbography? I turned to my friend Google and started looking at definitions and synonyms of words like symbol, icon, and graphic. Then, as any good student of the German language would do, I started combing words. What about graphy?
-graphy noun combining form
Definition of –graphy1
1 : writing or representation in a (specified) manner or by a (specified) means or of a (specified) object stenography photography
2 : writing on a (specified) subject or in a (specified) field hagiography
Merriam-Webster.com
Hmm. I like that suffix. One of the definitions of iconography definitely fit: pictorial material relating to or illustrating a subject. But when I think of icons I think of the little graphics used in the computer world or Byzantium and religious paintings with gold halos. Since I’m getting away from creating my images in Photoshop or other computer programs, and my imagery is most definitely not religious, I decided against that term.
What about symbography? Although the term is in use, I couldn’t find a definition. (If you happen to have a subscription to the OED, please look it up for me.) But I liked the term. It rolled off my tongue. It combined two of the words in wonky graphic symbols, and, since there wasn’t really a definition, it’s a bit wonky. Perfect. And if you’re wondering how to pronounce the term here are two options I prefer the first2.
1. “graphy.” Merriam-Webster.com. 2021. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/-graphy (24 July 2021).
2. Note the volume or audio icon. I try not to use curved lines in my symbolograhpic designs, therefore I had to create my own icon using slanted lines for the sound waves instead of the typical curves.
Putting on my Face
Deb Cashatt
Dimensions: 40″ h x 35″ w
Material: cotton and cotton blend fabric, cotton batting, quilted with metallic thread.
Technique: machine pieced and quilted.
It’s been amazing to watch your transition to this new style of artistic expression. You have held your nose to the grindstone and it’s paying out. This is an excellent rendition of the mundane topic of “Make-up”. I love both. The word symbography (applause to applying German language rule ) and the title: Putting on my Face”. Says it all!
Symbography and prosopagnosia. Two new words in one round! I kind of miss your previous style, but I look forward to you breaking new ground at the same time.
I’m impressed with your Symbography and great image richness.
Thank you, Mikiko!
Your piecing is really great, what fun to discover all the details in this piece!
I’ve got to say I love getting back to piecing.
This is fantastic, Deb! Love the term, symbols you chose and the color palette! My gramma used that term too! Makes me wonder if there was a commercial where that was said. How did it enter that generation’s lexicon? Can’t wait to see what you do next!
Thanks, Ellen. I wonder about the phrase, too.
I Love your process, narrative, commitment and the quirkiness you inject into your art Deb. Well done!
Thank you, Zara. I love quirky.
Looking at that pile of strips, I can’t believe what you accomplish! It’s fun, new, exciting, bold, humorous and well conceived. My mom still, “puts her face on” at 94.
Thanks, Kevan. Glad your mom is still putting on her face!
I love the quilt and the name. Symbography!!
Thanks to you and everyone it our group for your your support!
Love symbography. Clever and I love the shapes.
Thank you, Lisa. Making the shapes was fun.
Wonderful piece and great writing about the process!!
Thanks, Susie, for your nice comments. They make me really happy!
So excited – your new work is fantastic, and the “symbography” is all new to me – thanks for the fun! I am really fascinated by the beautiful, clearly well planned, and complex design play – really great, Deb! I’ll be studying this one for awhile!
Thanks, Bethany. Isn’t the term symbography wonderful?
What a special quilt with beautiful colors. Thanks for the comprehensive explanation.
Thank you, Elfriede.
Fun, FUn, FUN!! I too remember my Gram saying “Putting on my face”. I love “Symbography” as well. It so fits your creativity. Thanks for this well thought out presentation of your amazing quilt!
Thanks, Nancy. It was really hard not to show you this quilt earlier!
This is fabulous, Deb! I’ve been looking forward to it since JiJ. I love how you have created your own language with the bits and units of fabric. btw – when my older sons were little, they called it “decorating my face”. I felt like a Christmas tree 🙂
I love that term, Martha. Decorating my face sounds wonderful.
It is amazing, thank you for sharing the process, I am really impressed!
Thanks, Vera. Coming from you that’s a compliment.
Love it so much!!
Thanks, Sue.