Spontaneous Combustion #38

Spontaneous Combustion #38 by Lisa Goesling

After eating grapes, I looked at the vine and thought, the movement of a bare branch is absolutely stunning. So I started to draw the shape of the vine and used the negative space as a jumping off place for the textures and patterns. My new series, Spontaneous Combustion,   incorporates both my love of nature and my love of design. The details force the viewer to come in close. Leaves and flowers abound mixed with all sorts of patterns that intertwine inviting you to keep searching for more surprises. 

Detail of Spontaneous Combustion #8 by Lisa Goesling

UPCOMING SOLO EXHIBITION

3D Cube

Birds Nest in Progress by Lisa Goesling

I love finding little gifts waiting for me outside; they become my muse for a few weeks, or in this case several months! A simple birds nest with a few cracked eggs-instantly consuming my thoughts..."how do I capture this?" After photographing the nest from all angles to make certain I had a good representation of it before it disintegrated; I gathered similar materials from the yard, dried up brush, twigs, leaves and pine needles. For this piece, I am using a 2 sided box that is 20"x20" and 6" deep, one side is a black scratchboard, the other white aqua board. You can see how I treated the black side by using an X-Acto knife to draw layers of dried brush. In addition to capturing the movement and delicacy of the materials, I intend to add smaller paintings and black scratchboards to the surface. I like the idea of providing multiple layers of interest and will repeat this technique on the other side with a mix of photography, paintings, drawings and actual brush. 

Mother Nature

Top: Art of a Catkin from a Pussy Willow and a Fingerprint. Bottom: Lacy Leaf and Dragonfly by Lisa Goesling

Have you ever noticed how much nature's patterns repeat themselves? I first became truly aware when I was drawing a dragonfly. Not long before, I had completed a black and white scratchboard of a leaf eaten away by bugs. I named it Lacy Leaf because the patterns were so delicate and intricate, just like a fine piece of lace. 

When I began to study the dragonfly, it too had a detailed pattern, much like the leaf. I was stunned by how the same seemingly random shapes fit together to form a majestic dragonfly. 

Just the other day a friend came across one of my scratchboards of Pussy Willows. Her immediate response was, "they look like fingerprints!"

By this point, I was well aware of designs repeating themselves in birds, insects, plants and flowers. What I hadn't considered was that we share similar patterns with the rest of nature. All I had to do was to take a closer look. 

Art In A Residential Setting

What better way to get a sense of how dramatic my art is than to see it in a residential setting. The clean designs grouped together create an exciting statement and you can't help but to come in for a closer look.

Simple Elegance

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley is a study in contrasts, not just how the tiny white flowers are enveloped by large green leaves, but from a medicinal standpoint. While it contains glycosides that can produce irregular heartbeat and upset stomach, it is also a formidable brain, lymph and heart herb used to create several drugs. Lily of the Valley has proved successful in treating patients recovering from strokes, in soothing nerves, reducing blood pressure, curing headaches and as a remedy for treating burns! I guess that you can say that it lowered my blood pressure, getting lost in the beautiful shapes. I hope that it does the same for you!

Lily of the Valley by Lisa Goesling-Copyright

Finished Draft

Finished Draft 

It's so freeing to finish a piece without filling it in completely. Sometimes art dictates when it is done and that's exactly what happened in this case. The shapes and details make certain areas the star while the others are happy to sit back and contribute to the composition as a whole.

Finished Draft by Lisa Goesling-Copyright

J/A Magnolia Top Right

Open Magnolias Top Right by Lisa Goesling                                                                Copyright

Concentrating on movement and depth has been the driving force behind each of the twelve pieces that make up this new Open Magnolias commission. Not every panel will have color, but you can see how adding a rich brown to the branches adds another dimension to the composition. Only eight more to go!

Willow Branches with Color

Willow Branches with Color by Lisa Goesling            Copyright                                                              

I am continually amazed by nature. How silky white 'catkins'  and rough gray/brown branches inhabit the same tree. Textures, colors, and shapes...what a perfect subject to draw!

New Technique

Copyright:  Colored Columbine by Lisa Goesling                                                                  

I love the subtle effect of the black on black in this piece. One of the key goals that I aim for with my art is to create multiple layers as they appear in nature. By adding the black outlines to the background, the actual flower seems to float right up to the foreground!

Before and After

Group of Columbines by Lisa Goesling      Copyright 

These Columbines have an incredible amount of movement, taking turns layering over each other. Working within a square format makes it challenging in terms of composition. I needed to edit just how many flowers would fill the space. Adding a touch of color to the finished piece creates energy without becoming too overpowering.

Looking Up

Grapevines by Lisa Goesling               Copyright

Sharing a porch swing with my family at the Edgewood Orchard Galleries in Door County is one of our favorite ways to escape. We begin by strolling through the gallery and enjoying their wide range of art, everything from paintings and sculpture, (don't miss their outdoor sculpture garden) to smaller items like fine jewelry.  When we have experienced an art sensory overload, and perhaps purchased something, we make our way out to their shaded patio to relax and pet their dogs. This image appeared before me as I stretched back on the swing, looked up and saw this beautiful grapevine. I pulled out my camera and began shooting, capturing the way the light hit the leaves as they twisted around the plump little grapes.