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!
3 Peppers /
3 Peppers by Lisa Goesling Copyright
Peppers are filled with all sorts of layers, always an invitation for me to explore them further. Their shiny outer shells open to fibrous innards, sometimes filled with a little surprise!
Shadow Box /
In the Shadows by Lisa Goesling Copyright
I love this time of year, nature is so stark, just like my art. Movement and mood were established in this piece by varying line weight and the point of view of each element. I began by flipping over an old frame, staining the wood to achieve a warm glow and then 'etching' out puss willows. Tension was created by contrasting the quiet tone of the background with the bold Black Claybords. By layering the art and using a jig saw to cut around the edge of the Thistle, I achieved my goal of creating dimension through flat materials. Sculpting a 3D Puss Willow out of volcanic ash to match the white layer of clay in the Claybords added the finishing touch to this composition.
Brrrrrr /
Copyright: Winter Leaf by Lisa Goesling
One of the many gifts of having a mild winter is being able to easily find bits of nature just waiting to be drawn. Leaves all curled up, evolving into shapes far more interesting than their first incarnation. Following the twists and turns of this leaf, letting it fall off of the page, made for a really interesting composition.
Sign of the Times /
Copyright: 2 Pinecones by Lisa Goesling
Pine cones laying amongst a pile of needles are a frequent site outside our home. They are one of those hearty signs of winter, thriving despite the elements. Multiple leaf-like shapes fold over one another, creating pockets of contrast and texture. The needles compliment the pine cone's mass with their thin lines, spaced out along a narrow stem. It's natures poetry unfolding before our eyes.
Blowin' In The Wind /
Copyright: Layers of Weeds by Lisa Goesling
I just love the way these weeds dance in the breeze! They are at the mercy of the wind, which ever way it decides to blow, they follow. I varied the amount of pressure with my etching tool enabling me to develop depth and create a constant tension between the these glorious weeds.
All Year Round /
Copyright: Magnolias Up Close by Lisa Goesling
I remember drawing these flowers this past spring. They were right outside my front door and blossoming and twisting open right before my eyes. Today is quite the opposite with winter's gray skies and chilly winds. Thanks to nature and my black clayboards, I can enjoy spring all year round!
Jigsaw Experiment /
Copyright: 3D Thistle by Lisa Goesling
I have been intrigued with using Black Claybords as sculpture. They have a bit of depth to them both by their very nature and by creating dimension through line. I haven't used a jigsaw in years, but going around the Thistle was easier than I thought it would be. Can you notice that I even went around the little hairs at the top? Now I know I can achieve this technique, can't wait to apply it to my next piece of art!
Close to the Sun /
Copyright: Close to the Sun by Lisa Goesling
I find it interesting that this flower is called a Sunflower and has a lot of the same properties of the sun. It has the center shape surrounded by 'rays' which light up the garden. There is a whole lot going on in this 8"x8" space!
Everything is Bigger in Texas /
Copyright: Larger Than Life Texas Thistle by Lisa Goesling
I created this piece for an organization called ACT, Artists Changing Tomorrow. It is part of an International Fund Raising event taking place at The Gallery at Round Top, in Texas. What can be huger than changing lives through art? As owner, Karen Vernon so eloquently put it, Learning through the arts not only results in the creation of beautiful works, but contributes to greater academic achievement, higher test scores, and the creative thought that leads nations. Thank you Ralph Arvesen for allowing me to work off of your gorgeous photography. I incorporated both the Texas Thistle into this piece along with the background flowers which are Crow Poison. (They sound a little scary so I left them black and white!)
Bold 'Gold /
Copyright: Marigold by Lisa Goesling
This flower has so much energy. I love the constant movement, the gorgeous colors, it seems to jump right off of the page! I am so glad that it went to a good home!
Composition of A Coleus /
Copyright: Composition of A Coleus by Lisa Goesling
These leaves are interesting in and of themselves. Coming in close makes them infinitely more interesting! I tried to capture the variegated leaves with their sharp contrasting reds, greens, yellows, maroons, and purples. They almost appear as if someone has taken a paintbrush to them. Of course, that's what I ultimately did after drawing them!
Deep Into a Flower /
Copyright: As Far As The Eye Can See by Lisa Goesling
This one was a little crazy, it took on a life of it's own. Have you ever looked deep into a flower? They are filled with so many shapes and textures, I got completely lost in the details!
Small Wonder /
Copyright: Small Dahlia by Lisa Goesling
I look at this flower and marvel at how the pink outlined petals create a constant movement of shapes, sizes and patterns. I continue to be surprised by the interplay that occurs within a single element in nature.
Name This Flower /
Copyright: Eremurus by Lisa Goesling
My husband sent me a gorgeous arrangement for our Anniversary. I know that most people would place them on a table and simply enjoy their beauty. Personally, I couldn't wait to study the details! I had no idea what the name of this flower was, all I knew was that it was fascinating. I loved the forms of the buds, the way they grew along the stem, the color combinations, fabulous! When I was finished the piece I headed down to Kabloom on the second floor of the Mart to ask exactly what I'd created. Turns out it's called an Eremurus, (or more commonly, Foxtail Lily). Who knew?
Burst of Energy /
Copyright: Burst of Energy by Lisa Goesling
That's what it took to create this piece! There were so many little elements interacting with each other, hard to believe I finally completed it!
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!
Cropping /
Copyright: Orange Tulips by Lisa Goesling
By not focusing directly on the flowers, it adds interest to the entire composition. People expect the flowers to be the star, I like to give the viewer more than what is expected. The leaves interact with the orange flowers bringing your eye right into the art and the rich tones add a stately elegance to the tulips.
Layers of an Iris /
Copyright: Small Evolution of An Iris by Lisa Goesling
My folks were art lovers and built a stunning collection. I remember being quite young and being shown a small painting they had recently purchased. It was no larger than 8"x10" done by a Dutch artist in the 1700's, I believe. The art was filled with layers of details, so much so that they had me look at it through a magnifying glass. It opened up a whole new world for me, I could see so much more than appeared with the naked eye. I believe that that little painting influenced the way I approach my work today. I begin with a magnifying glass, studying all of the shapes, textures, and details. Small Evolution of An Iris, captures the multiple layers and movement of the leaves and flowers outside my door. Art doesn't have to be huge to be powerful!
JL Lily /
It sure is nice when friends send flowers! I especially loved receiving these Lily's since I am crazy about the sender! Besides smelling great, it was fun capturing all of the shapes, textures, patterns, colors and of course-details. This image was used in a Dick Blick Materials Ad in Drawing Magazine.