Cayce Zavaglia utilizes embroidery to render images of family, friends, and other artists; although originally a painter, Zavaglia uses her skills in needlework in order to create intricately deceptive photo-realistic portraits.

The composition that drew me in was Florence, an image of a little girl that appears to stare through one’s very soul. For many of her pieces, Zavaglia makes sure that the gaze of the subject meets the viewer’s eyes, which is one of the reasons this portrait is so powerful. Zavaglia’s use of materials like silk and cotton entrance the viewer with the slight shifts in light and color all around the composition, while the very gaze of the subject makes the piece seem almost confrontational. The contrast between the flat background and the rendition of the subject also emphasizes the focus on the image. I was initially drawn to the composition since it appeared as though Zavaglia has taken a photo and simply distorted the image through computer manipulation.

Yet another important rendition that caught my eye was Teo Verso, which demonstrates Zavaglia’s background as a painter. Unlike her compositions created solely through embroidery, this piece is comprised of a more two-dimensional medium. Nonetheless, it appears as if we are observing the process she goes through to create her pieces of silk and cotton; it seems as if there are strands of these materials hanging out of the portrait. What drew me in was the unusual combination of lines and color to create an obscure effect. The subject of the portrait no longer meets the viewer with a clear gaze but seems to blankly stare at the space ahead. The void of white that replaces the eyes in the boy’s eye sockets and the arch of his eyebrows confronts the viewer and creates an uneasy feeling that pulls one in.

Zavaglia creates interesting compositions centered around various portraits that capture the attention of the viewer through her wild use of seemingly tame materials. Her pieces are unlike painting in the traditional sense. I would like to expand my usage of materials to depict subjects in various ways, and create emotion through the uncommon usage of mediums such as string. Zavaglia encourages me to continue to test the boundaries of materials in order to create one-of-a-kind pieces.