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.

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

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

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

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!