DFW art lessons

“Long Shadows,” White Rock Lake by Niki Gulley

August 15, 2012

12” x 24” oil on canvas

Sunset draws lengthening shadows across the grassy waters edge at Sunset Bay, White Rock. The lake shimmers in the evening glow as sky high above fills with deep blues and before you the soft, moody colors stretch out, long lines beckoning you into the complex diagonal composition. Rich texture models the leaves, branches and tree trunk rimmed in the sunset and shadow. Vivid masses of color form the foliage on the opposite bank, fall at its peak. The long cast shadows draw you into the tranquil landscape and the peaceful, dreamy sunset at White Rock Lake.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings.

“Golden Moment, White Rock Lake” by Niki Gulley

August 13, 2012

Textured oil on canvas • 12″ x 24″

On a peaceful autumn day last fall, I went out with my camera to White Rock Lake and captured this beautiful sunset behind the Dallas skyline. I liked how the pampas grass and various plants in the foreground were back lit by the setting sun and how the water’s surface was shimmering from the low light, adding to a sense of mystery and tranquility in that golden moment.

If you’d like information on “Golden Moment,” e-mail Niki Gulley, or contact American Fine Art, AmericanFineArt.com.

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NikiGulley.com.

Feb. 18th Painting Workshop

February 10, 2012

SOLD • 30” x 30” textured oil on canvas

Growing up in Chicago, our brutally cold winters would feel like they lasted forever so my family tried to vacation along our tropical coasts whenever possible. I loved this week we spent together – the cathartic rhythm of the ocean waves lapping against the shore as dad and I tried to ride each crest as close to the beach as possible, feeling the cool sand squish between my toes and fingers while building sand castles together, and enjoying the peacefulness at sunset as the gorgeous fireball dropped down from the sky and cast diamond-like reflections across the ocean’s surface.

If you’d like to create paintings with more freedom and expression, please join me Feb. 18th and 19th for a workshop I’m teaching on “Loosening Up,” at my studio in Dallas, TX. See nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 for more details and to register.

If you have any questions, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

To see more of my contemporary landscape oil paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

Landscape Painting at the Dallas Arboretum with Niki Gulley

January 27, 2012

“Spring Blooms,” Dallas Arboretum ©2012 by Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ oil painting

Another beautiful spring day at the Arboretum during Dallas Blooms last year.

Please join me on Feb. 4th at the Dallas Arboretum where I’ll be teaching a Painting Workshop covering tips and guidance for creating gorgeous landscape paintings.

For more information, go to dallasarboretum.org/AdultEducation/CreativeArts.htm.

If you’d have any questions, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

NikiGulley.com

Or, to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

Plein Air Painting Workshop at the Dallas Arboretum

November 7, 2011

Purple Clematis, 8″ x 10″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

Morning Location: the Dallas Arboretum, Poetry Garden

On the first morning of the Plein Air Painting Workshop I taught at the Dallas Arboretum last weekend, we found one of the most quiet locations we could on such a busy, beautiful morning at the Arboretum. While a little chilly at the start of the day, it quickly warmed up to a beautiful 68 degrees. The gardens were in full fall bloom, and it was difficult to narrow down just a single subject to paint, but each painter picked out something that spoke to them – from a single flower, to a sun-lit path framed by trees, to the architecture in the private garden or a quiet bench framed by flowering pots.

So that my students wouldn’t miss out on the morning light, I started a quick demo that I had sketched out the previous day of these clematis. To save time, I had also laid out my palette colors, working with water-soluble oil paints, the night before and stored them in the freezer to keep them from drying out. Pre-mixing some of the purple values in the flowers, the greens of the leaves, and the stucco colors in the background so that I could just paint, and not have to stop and mix colors in the process, I quickly laid in a thin coat of the stucco wall and shadow colors so they could be drying.

Then, I established the darks in the flowers with brush and came on top with lighter colors and palette knife to give the flowers dimension. Normally I would work around the whole canvas, but with plein air painting, your time is so short between when your light changes, that at this stage, I went ahead and finish out the details in my focal point, the two main flowers. Lastly, if there is time left, I finish up the painting, in this case adding leaves, vines, and thick painter to the stucco wall to suggest the sun reflecting off its surface. At this point, it’s best to stop and not overwork the spontaneity of the sketch – you can always go back and tweak things back in the studio later.

Check out some of my students’ morning paintings. Even though we were set up within 20 feet of each other, I love how each painter sees things differently.

If you’d like more information about my upcoming workshops in the US and Europe, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13.

Or, to see more of my local Dallas and travel paintings, please stop by the Bath House Cultural Center, for my last show of the year, Nov. 18th – 20th. dallasculture.org/bathhouseculturecenter/index.asp

E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com.

NikiGulley.com

ART TREKS: Tuscany, Day 2

October 3, 2011

“Autumn Harvest, Tuscany” • 24″ x 36″ pastel by Niki Gulley

Day 2, Afternoon – ArtTreks: Tuscany with Niki Gulley & Scott Williams

After lunch, we explored the streets and shops of Montepulciano, and then later that afternoon we treated our group to a wine tour in the surrounding countryside. One of the wineries has been in business for over 300 years, and their pride and enthusiasm for their wines is infectious. Their robust Vino Nobiles were delicious, and the local meats and cheese they paired with them exceptional. Many students said this was their favorite day of the trip!

If you would like to join us on future ART TREKS to Paris, France in May or Tuscany, Italy in September, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420, which goes into detail about our upcoming Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshops. Early registration deadline for a $500 savings is only 5 days away!

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Or, if you’d be interested in learning how to paint “plein air” or improve your location painting a little closer to home, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13, which tells you about my upcoming Painting Workshop at the Dallas Arboretum and White Rock Lake, Oct. 29th and 30th.

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E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

Plein Air Painting Workshops in the Greek Isles

September 24, 2010

Oil painting • 12” x 9”

The crystal-clear turquoise and cobalt waters in Greece are an endless source of inspiration. I felt liked we’d stepped right into the set of Mama Mia and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants! It’s hard to believe someplace so beautiful actually exists. We can’t wait to take painters and photographers with us on next year’s workshop to share in the beauty and serenity of the Greek Isles.

Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop

Tuscany, Italy – September 2010 & 2011

Athens & Santorini, Greece – May 2011

Led by Niki Gulley & Scott Williams

Our trip to Tuscany for this year is full, but please join us next September in Tuscany or May 2011 in Greece.

Visit nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=13 for more details.

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Adult Art Classes – 3 spots left

December 14, 2009

I still have a little bit of room in my art classes starting Jan. 12th. E-mail me atÂ nikigulley@sbcglobal.net if you are interested in signing up or if you have any questions. I’d love to have you join us!

Adult Art Classes – Playing with Color

Through guidance, encouragement and suggestion, learn how to create gorgeous paintings. With enrollment limited to six students, receive personalized attention similar to what you would experience in private lessons. Bring your favorite medium and develop your skills in oils, watercolors or pastels.

Price for all levels: $185

Tuesdays

Jan. 12th â€“ Feb. 2nd & Feb. 23rd â€“ Mar. 2nd

(No Class â€“ Feb. 9th or 16th)

Day Class: 12:30 pm â€“ 2:30 pm

Evening Class: 7 pm â€“ 9 pm

Registration deadline Dec. 15th

Maximum class size of 6.
Make-up lessons available during opposite class times.
Near the intersection of Northwest Hwy. and Abrams Rd. in Dallas

Next Session Fall 2010

Email Niki, nikigulley@sbcglobal.net if you are interested!