• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

London Embroidery School

Central London based Embroidery School

  • About
    • Blog
  • Classes
    • Digital Embroidery
    • Couture Tambour Beading
    • Goldwork
    • Traditional Techniques
    • Introduction to Embroidery
    • Lace Embroidery
    • Flower Making
    • Monogramming
    • Silk Shading
    • Private Tuition
    • Gift Certificate
      • Gift Certificate
  • Online Classes
    • Kits
    • Online Classes
  • Equipment & Materials
    • Kits
    • Specialist Materials
    • Specialist Equipment
    • Beads, Sequins & Others
      • Beads & Sequins
    • Masons Military Badge & Button
      • Blazer Badge
      • Buttons
      • Cap Badge
      • Cufflinks
      • Lapel Pin
      • Pin Badge
      • Tie Bar
  • Contact
    • Custom Embroidery
    • Contact Us
  • FAQ
  • £0.00

Cayce Zavaglia: Textile Artist

Wednesday 20th July 2016 by claire

It is hard to believe when first looking at the work of Cayce Zavaglia that it isn’t infact photography or photo realistic paintings but embroidered portraits mostly of family, friends and other artists.

Cayce originated as a painter until 12 years ago. When becoming a mother she wanted to use less toxic materials round her children so she decided to experiment with thread to create similar brush marks that are used in classical oil painting.

The main focus of the portraits were to create a photorealistic look and, by mimicking the way the colour tones are layered with in the painting helped her achieve this.

At an unbelievable average of 8” x10” all her work is hand sewn using cotton and silk thread or crewel embroidery wool. She layers various shades of thread similar to oil painting which also allows for the illusion of depth volume and form within her portraits. Cayce claims that her stitching methodology ‘borders on the obsessive’ but ultimately it lets her achieve the best quality of flesh hair and cloth.

A few years ago Cayce turned over one of her portraits and discovered a new path of work that was less precise than her other works but still clearly translated to another style of painting. By highlighting the reverse of her embroideries which historically and traditionally had been hidden from the viewer started conversation about the difference between our inner and outer selves. This inspired Cayce to display her work in galleries so both sides of the portrait can be seen.

If you would like to see more of Cayce Zavaglia’s work don’t hesitate to check out her website (http://www.caycezavaglia.com) or check out this great video of the artist at work (https://vimeo.com/51107397)

 

Filed Under: Embroidery Tagged With: artist blog, beautiful embroidery, beautiful technique, cayce zavaglia, cotton thread, crewel embroidery wool, embroidered portraits, layers, photo realistic, realism, silk thread, textile design, textile designer

Footer

Contact

+44 (0) 20 7886 8678

classes@embroidery.london

Join our mailing list

Please sign up to our mailing list today.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

© Copyright 2021 London Embroidery School · All Rights Reserved · Site by Peter Mahoney

The shop will remain open but please be patient as we are working fewer staffs. And please beware Royal Mail / some international postal services are running with some small delay. Dismiss