With the arrival of spring New York City
residents and visitors alike are encouraged to
visit the many wonderful outdoor attractions
such as The New York Botanical Garden.
Located in the Bronx, this spectacular 250 acre
oasis offers diverse gardens and luxuriant plant
collections.
Viewing art that has been inspired by flowers and
fauna is an experience that offers us the same
healing benefits we receive from exploring
outdoor gardens. The magnificent beauty of
flowers and their symbolic meanings have
inspired artists throughout history. Durer’s
botanicals, Monet’s water lilies, O’Keeffe’s
poppies, Van Gogh’s sunflowers, and Warhol’s
daisies are merely a few of many cherished
examples of life-affirming works of art.
Contemporary artists Lisa Goesling, Arthur
Jacob, and Sheila Grabarsky are also inspired by
nature. They bring their technical prowess and
joie de vivre to their art to uplift our spirits.
Right: “The Orchid Show: Key West Contemporary” at The New York Botanical Garden.
This exhibition features classic and exotic
orchids and continues through April 21, 2014.
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen.
Lisa Goesling
Lisa Goesling is guided by her passion to create
detailed compositions of flowers, vegetables
and insects.
The artist who lives in the Chicago, Illinois area
exclaims, “I find the textures, shapes, patterns,
and repetition of nature incredibly inspiring.”
Goesling begins a piece by first closely
examining the characteristics of her subject
with a magnifying glass. Then, with sharp
tools, she etches fine lines into a museum
quality, acid-free, archival board that has been
covered with porcelain clay and India ink,
manufactured by Ampersand.
By varying the amount of pressure she applies
with her tools the artist achieves a myriad of
contours, values and textures.
Goesling’s impressive artistry has attracted
many collectors and accolades. Most recently,
her drawing titled “Inside of an Iris” was
chosen to appear on the cover of
“TransAtlantic”, the New York Times
bestselling novel by Colum McCann, which will
be published in the spring, 2014. It also
received a Manhattan Arts International
“Critic’s Choice Award” in 2013 from Jill
Conner, New York art critic and curator.
About “Inside of an Iris” Conner stated,
“Blossoms and stems unwind in a circular
pattern as if arranged upon a flat surface. Yet
Goesling’s use of lyricism in line suggests a
series of performative moments that spin
boundlessly.”
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen.
photograph them in case they perish before I
have completed my art.”
Created with flawless execution and originality
Goesling’s art work ranges in size from as small
as 4”x4” to as large as 30”x50”. The prolific
award-winning artist states, “The smaller
boards go everywhere with me, since I never
know when I am going to be inspired!”
To view more of Lisa Goesling’s art visit her
website www.lisagoesling.com.
Goesling’s artistic approach requires mistakefree proficiency, time and patience. She
explains, “Although I prefer to work from the
real flower, weed or leaf, I am careful to
Photo by Ivo M. Vermeulen.
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