“Aqua Dreams” ©2011 Niki Gulley
36″ x 60″ textured oil on canvas
When we arrived at this tranquil spot, the early morning light was very cool in color, but as the sun began to rise from the horizon, it shone this beautiful warm light that shimmered on the water’s surface and cast its hope of what was to come from the brand new day. I remember the peacefulness I felt in that moment, and a sense that anything was possible. In Aqua Dreams, by showing the contrast in the cool aqua/blues in the foreground waters against the warm golden glow on the distant pond’s edge, I wanted to share that feeling of hope and promise communicated by nature.
For more information on this painting, e-mail
Niki Gulleyor to see more of my textured palette knife paintings,
Niki's Blog
aspen art, aspen tree oil painting, birch tree painting, contemporary water painting, expressionist lake scene, Niki Gulley paintings, palette knife painting, textured oil painting landscapes
“Transformation” ©2011 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 48″ x 60″ oil painting
Rather than create an exact replica of the forest, I wanted to focus on brilliant color and simple shapes to see if I could communicate the excitement I feel when surrounded by nature. Using energetic diagonal strokes and thick, textured paint, I hope you get a sense of the motion in the leaves and the power of nature to invigorate your spirit. I just love how this piece captured that essence!
Or, e-mail me at
Niki Gulley if you would like more information.
Niki's Blog
aspen tree oil painting, aspens art, birch tree oil painting, birches painting, contemporary landscape painting autumn, fall aspen color, large scale contemporary oil painting, Niki Gulley paintings, palette knife art fall, Texas artist Niki Gulley
“Scarlet Emergence” ©2011 Niki Gulley
36″ x 60″ oil painting
I wanted this painting to be about the power and energy in nature to invigorate your spirit more so than an exact replica of the forest, so I chose to use warm vivid colors and thick staccato strokes to add to that feeling. I placed the foliage in diagonal sweeping shapes to create a sense of movement, so that you can feel the wind gently rustling the leaves and causing them to dance.
If you’d like to see this aspen painting in person, stop by my booth at “Art in the Square” in Frisco, Texas this weekend. See friscosquare.com/AITS for more details.
And, I’ve just released a limited edition stretched canvas print of
“Scarlet Emergence” in two sizes:
18″ x 30″ for $295
26″ x 40″ for $595
With only 100 signed and numbered prints in the series, these canvases are sure to go quickly so e-mail me at
Niki Gulley if you are interested in purchasing.
Niki's Blog
aspen tree oil painting, aspens art, autumn birches, birch tree painting, Colorado painting, contemporary landscape canvas print, Dallas art shows, dfw art festivals, Frisco art in the Square, Niki Gulley paintings, palette knife painting trees, Texas artist Niki Gulley
“Vertical Prism” ©2011 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 30″ x 40″ oil on canvas
Sold to a collector in Madison, WI. These playful aspen trees were created with palette knife and gallons of oil paint to achieve texture, movement and colors that explode off the canvas, all while capturing the childlike wonder of staring into the treetops.
Niki's Blog
aspen tree oil painting, aspens art, birch art, birch trees oil painting, Colorado painting, contemporary landscape painting, Niki Gulley paintings, palette knife painting
“Jeweled Forest” ©2011 Niki Gulley
30″ x 30″ oil on canvas • SOLD
Just sold to a new collector in Indianapolis. These aspen trees were painted with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives to create heightened color, texture and energy.
Niki's Blog
aspen tree oil painting, aspens art, autumn forest, birch tree oil painting, birches painting, Colorado painting, contemporary landscape painting, fall trees, Niki Gulley paintings, palette knife art, textured oils
“Snowfall Comes Early” ©2011 Niki Gulley
Oil painting • 24” x 12”
On our drive from Durango to Aspen, Colorado, as we rounded the last switchback near the summit north of Durango, we were greeted by these brilliant orange aspen trees and awestruck by their rare, unusual coloring. With the sun shining intensely, the contrast between the vibrant tangerine foliage, the cobalt blue sky, and the pristine white snow was absolutely breathtaking.
Niki's Blog
aspen tree oil painting, aspens art, Colorado lanscape painting, contemporary landscape painting, Niki Gulley paintings, snow scene painting, Texas artist Niki Gulley, winter landscape art
“Skyward Bound” ©2010 Niki Gulley
SOLD • oil on canvas • 30″ x 40″
Recently sold to new collectors in Dallas! In “Skyward Bound,” I wanted you to feel like a little kid again looking up into the treetops, enjoying the beautiful sky and colors above. We forget to do that as adults – we’re so focused on straight ahead! Choosing vivid reds, yellows, blues and greens in addition to the perspective of the aspen trees and autumn forest from below adds to that playful mood.
Niki's Blog
aspen tree oil painting, aspens art, autumn birches painting, birch tree art, Colorado painting, contemporary landscape painting, Dallas artist Niki Gulley, Niki Gulley paintings, palette knife painting
5″ x 7″ Aspen oil paintings by Niki Gulley
I painted these miniature aspen trees with palette knife and extremely thick oil paint so that the resulting paintings are filled with color, texture and movement. These oils look great in pairs and threes, and the wide black frame really draws your eye into the artwork and sets each one apart. If you’d like additional information or would like to purchase my aspen tree paintings, e-mail
Niki Gulley.
Niki's Blog
aspen art, aspen tree oil painting, birches painting, contemporary autumn landscape, Dallas artist Niki Gulley, miniature landscape painting, Niki Gulley paintings, palette knife art
“Touched by Gold” ©2010 Niki Gulley
30″ x 30″ oil on canvas
Aspen trees are one of my favorite subjects to paint. I love their peeling bark and the color of the trunks in addition to the beautiful tinkling sounds the leaves make blowing in the wind. In this painting, I wanted to try something different and rather than show a whole grove of trees in the landscape, I wanted to focus in and concentrate on the wonderful texture in the trunks and the uniqueness of each knot, so you really notice the beauty of each aspen.
Niki's Blog
aspen art, aspen tree oil painting, Colorado landscape oil painting, contemporary landscape painting, Niki Gulley paintings, palette knife painting
“Skyward Bound” ©2010 Niki Gulley
oil on canvas • 30″ x 40″
In “Skyward Bound,” I wanted you to feel like a little kid again looking up into the treetops, enjoying the beautiful sky and colors above. We forget to do that as adults – we’re so focused on straight ahead! Choosing vivid reds, yellows, blues and greens in addition to the perspective from below adds to that playful mood.
If you’d like more information on Skyward Bound, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.
Niki's Blog
aspen tree oil painting, autumn colors, birches art, Colorado landscape, contemporary landscape painting, Dallas artist Niki Gulley, fall trees, Niki Gulley paintings, palette knife painting
