Most folks know that Chicago, and most of the country for that matter, have been dealing with a brutal winter. Spending time surrounded by every variety of my favorite flower was awe inspiring! My friend Vivian and I devoted hours photographing their individual nuances. More importantly, I was able to devote time to sketching the glorious patterns of this delicate flower.
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.
Linus Galleries, CA /
http://linusgallery.com/art-gallery/flora-2/
Three of my pieces are part of Linus Galleries Flora Show, Pasadena and Long Beach, CA.
Eremurus or Foxtail Lily by Lisa Goesling
Dahlias by Lisa Goesling
Group of Columbines by Lisa Goesling
Kale Completed /
Delving deep into a bunch of Kale may have been one of the crazier subjects I could have chosen to create. I was drawn to its movement, the varying layers of textures of and shapes cascading over one another. Mystery was created by keeping the art black and white and choosing to look deeply into the leafy structure. Would you have guessed it was kale at first glance?
Progress-Composition of a Coleus /
Coleus's by nature are wonderful to behold. Their hearty leaves winding around each other, bold colors and shapes within shapes, make them both thrilling to draw and and a little bit daunting! Fitting everything together is like working on an intense puzzle. The line work is almost done, then I'll add colored inks. That magic moment of going from a blank slate to a finished work of art will soon be realized!
Stages of Kale /
I had started my veggie series over the holidays when I was preparing all sorts of different dishes. I haven't completed Kale yet, but I thought I would post my progress thus far. The movement from overlapping shapes and textures makes Kale the perfect subject!
Stage 1 of Kale by Lisa Goesling
Stage 2 of Kale by Lisa Goesling
New Series /
I am beginning a new series called Veggies, the first of which is the top of a Beet. I am pretty excited about mixing Colored Inks with the Black scratchboard. The backgrounds will all be covered in Black Enamel Paint creating the texture and depth of soil.
Top of Beet by Lisa Goesling
Beginnings of a Coleus /
My friend Barbara requested that I create a new Composition of a Coleus for her, since the original has already been spoken for. I love when art lovers commission me to create new art. Check out my progress!
B&R Composition of a Coleus
My Book Finally Arrived /
And it's beautiful! Thank you William Etundi Jr., Founder & CEO of See.Me
Dear Lisa,We have exciting news. After reviewing the work you submitted into the Art Takes Times Square competition, our Editorial Committee has chosen one of your pieces to be featured in our upcoming publication, Art Takes Times Square.Out of the tens of thousands of artists who entered the Art Takes Times Square contest, only a select few will appear in this publication. You can take pride in knowing that your work was among the best we saw, and we believe this special coffee-table book will be even better with your art included.Congratulations!
Jeffrey Aldrich
Managing Editor
My Art /
Every artist tells a story. I rarely provide a synopsis about my creations. I count on the visual senses of the the people viewing my art to be activated and inspired. Ultimately it is their words that best describe my art.
-Lisa Goesling
Multiple Images by Lisa Goesling-Copyright
One Catkin In Bloom /
One Catkin In Bloom
Capturing a single catkin, (the puffy bloom on a pussy willow) right when all of the little buds were exploding was so much fun! I spend a lot of time studying pussy willows. Their fine lines, depth and details are perfect for Scratchbords. Taking a small surface and making a big impression proves that art doesn't have to be huge to be powerful.
One Catkin in Bloom by Lisa Goesling-Copyright
Swept Away /
Swept Away
I spend a whole lot of time distracted, not exactly watching where I am going. That's because I am always focused on finding the next great subject matter to create from. This branch with it's spotted, crumpled, leaves was waiting for me one day outside of my door. It isn't fall yet, but it didn't seem to know that.
Swept Away by Lisa Goesling-Copyright
Orchid Evolution Stage 2 /
Orchid On Steroids
Slowly but surely, this 30"x60" scratchboard is evolving. I am just as surprised as you are watching the detailed lines create living, breathing forms.
Orchid on Steroids by Lisa Goesling-Copyright
Snapdragon /
Snapdragon
I am captivated by the delicate shapes and bold colors of these spring flowers. Did you know why they are called snapdragons? It's because they resemble the face of a dragon opening and closing their 'mouths' when squeezed!
Snapdragon by Lisa Goesling-Copyright
Catkin Study /
Catkin Study
In keeping with my pussy willow theme, I thought I would concentrate on their most distinctive element, the catkin. Before male catkins come into full flower, they are covered in fine greyish 'fur', one of the earliest signs of spring. Chinese legend says that the young green shoots sprouting through the puffy white buds signify prosperity. I am only about half way through this single catkin, still debating whether or not to add color. A lot more dimension needs to be added to this 20"x20" piece, but eventually I hope that you will feel as if you can reach out and touch it!
Catkin Study by Lisa Goesling-Copyright
Artist to Artist Pussy Willow /
Artist to Artist Pussy Willow
I demonstrated my Scratchbord technique on the show Artist to Artist back in November. Concentrating on the details, I drew a small portion of a Pussy willow. I finally had the opportunity to complete the piece and as host Enid Silverman said, "you sure can create a lot of drama with this medium!". http://vimeo.com/65342171
Artist to Artist Pussy Willow by Lisa Goesling-Copyright
Inside of an Iris /
I found so much detail looking deep into this Iris flower, developing a strong sense of movement through the shapes and textures as they wrapped around themselves. The multiple layers ultimately formed an interesting abstract. A background of Black Enamel paint, applied with an irregular pattern, serves as a stark contrast with the fine lines of the flower. This piece was used for the cover of the book, Transatlantic, by New York Times Bestseller, Colum McCann.
Inside of an Iris by Lisa Goesling-Copyright
The Nature of Design-Movement-Color /
Colored - The Nature of Design - Movement
While going through the exploration process of how to add color to this piece, I knew that I wanted to make it appear ethereal. I love how the colors and textures evolved into a completely different entity from their original form.
The Nature of Design-Movement-Color-Copyright
The Nature of Design-Movement /
The Nature of Design - Movement
I have absolutely no idea what this strange dried sea creature, or perhaps seaweed, is. My friend Alex found it on a beach in North Carolina. It is crusty, and twisted and filled with lines that move along a crooked path. The eye travels across the page stopping to embrace each shape, a study of movement unto their own.
The Nature of Design-Movement-Copyright
The Nature of Design-Pattern-Color /
The Nature of Design-Pattern-Color
Adding color the original black and white art adds a totally different dimension. Color alters the entire feel of each element.
The Nature of Design-Pattern-Color by Lisa Goesling-Copyright