March 2011

New “Flowing Light” Oil Painting

March 30, 2011

“Flowing Light” Original Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

You walk down a path sheltered by autumn drenched trees, intrigued by the light flowing through the leaves and branches, casting shadows, colors changing with each gentle breeze, sunlight cascading down your pathway. Peaceful, tranquil this painting flows around the canvas capturing the memory of autumn: lush crisp colors, crunchy leaves and a walk through the woods Walt Whitman would have envied. “Flowing Light” is oil on canvas, 36″ x 60″ and is available for purchase.

To see “Flowing Light” and more of my textured palette knife oil paintings in person, stop by my booth at Art City Austin, the premier juried outdoor art festival in Austin, TX, April 2-3. I’ll be at booth #328 – on Cesar Chavez St. between San Antonio & Guadalupe Streets. Visit artallianceaustin.org/art_city_austin.html for details.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

NikiGulley.com

Niki Gulley Paintings From Tuscany

March 28, 2011

Pastel • 10” x 8”

From our last Tuscany workshop, we found this quiet alleyway and were immediately attracted to the unique doorways, cobblestone walkway, and stacked stone archways. The aging brick had so much character and the passageway was filled with warm light and dramatic shadows, making it a perfect afternoon painting spot.

If you’d like to join us Sept. 2-10 for our next Tuscany Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13. With limited space and a final registration deadline of April 9th quickly approaching, we suggest registering soon.

To see “Doorway to the Past” and more of my paintings in person, stop by my booth at Art City Austin, a premier juried outdoor art festival in Austin, TX, April 2-3. I’ll be at booth #328 – on Cesar Chavez St. between San Antonio & Guadalupe Streets. Visit ArtAllianceAustin.org /art_city_austin.html for details.

NikiGulley.com

Painting & Photographing in Tuscany with Niki Gulley & Scott Williams

March 26, 2011

pastel • 24″ x 36″

I was inspired to paint this pastel of the beautiful rolling Tuscan hills and vineyards after our last Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop that my husband and I taught in Tuscany. Not only were the views amazing, but the food and the wine were absolutely delicious, too!

From our last Tuscany workshop: Part of group pictured while touring this 300 year old wine cellar, always run by the same family.

To see “Autumn Harvest” and more of my paintings in person, stop by my booth at Art City Austin, a premier juried outdoor art festival in Austin, TX, April 2-3. I’ll be at booth #328 – on Cesar Chavez St. between San Antonio & Guadalupe Streets. Visit ArtAllianceAustin.org /art_city_austin.html for details.

Aqua Dreams – New Textured Oil Painting

March 24, 2011

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 Gulley

or to see more of my textured palette knife paintings,

visit NikiGulley.com/?page_id=229.

Tuscany Plein Air Painting / Photo Workshop – deadline Apr. 9

March 22, 2011

SOLD • pastel • 10″ x 8″

Just sold! I painted this pastel of Sienna, Italy on our last Plein Air Painting & Photography workshop that my husband and I taught in Tuscany. Sienna is such an interesting town, with the narrow cobble streets forming a labyrinth of passageways, the energy of the people in the central square, the ancient stone architecture and unusual adornments, and the picturesque views from the rambling hillsides. We just love it!

From our last Tuscany workshop, one of my students composing her painting of one of the picturesque Tuscan hill towns.

If you’d like to join us for our next Tuscany Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop, Sept. 2 -10, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information, or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13. With limited space and a final registration deadline of April 9th quickly approaching, let me know if you’d like to join us!

NikiGulley.com

Artscape at the Dallas Arboretum – this weekend

March 19, 2011

9″ x 12″ oil painting

To see more of my paintings, stop by my booth at Artscape, an outdoor art show at the Dallas Arboretum this weekend, http://www.dallasarboretum.org/artscape/index.htm.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Texas Bluebonnets & Indian Paintbrush painting at Artscape

March 16, 2011

Oil on canvas • 30” x 40”

When I was a teenager my grandparents moved to Texas and I loved coming down from Chicago to visit them. I remember the first time I saw a massive field of bluebonnets and I was awestruck by the expanse of color. It was amazing that such tiny flowers when planted in mass could form a solid sea of blue. I wanted to relive those fond family memories by recreating those exciting bluebonnet and Indian Paintbrush displays I remember seeing for the first time in “Rhapsody in Blue.” Using this interesting weathered farm house in Marble Falls and painting it engulfed in one of our prolific bluebonnet and Indian Paintbrush displays perfectly captures those memories.

To see more of my Texas wildflower paintings, stop by my booth at Artscape, an outdoor art show at the Dallas Arboretum this weekend http://www.dallasarboretum.org/artscape/index.htm.

To see more of my textured oil paintings, visit my website at NikiGulley.com/?page_id=33 or

e-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Bluebonnet & Texas Wildflower oil paintings

March 14, 2011

12″ x 12″ oil painting on canvas

I painted these Texas bluebonnets & Indian Blanket with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives to achieve extreme texture so that the image comes to life and leaps off the canvas! In this wildflower painting series, I’ve painted the scene around the edges of the canvas on 1 1/2″ deep stretcher bars so that the paintings can be hung without a frame for a unique sculptural effect.

To see companion pieces for “Texas Treats IV,” visit NikiGulley.com /?page_id=229, or please stop by my booth at the

Dallas Arboretum’s Artscape art show this weekend (March 18-20), dallasarboretum.org/artscape/index.htm, where I will be exhibiting this bluebonnet painting along with several of my other new palette knife paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

What Dreams May Come – poppy oil painting at the Dallas Arboretum Artscape

March 12, 2011

36″ x 48″ oil on canvas

In this painting I wanted to create a dream-like feel using one of my favorite flowers, the poppy, so I chose to paint this landscape at dusk as the sun is starting to set over the distant hills to add to that mood. I love the wildflower masses in the foreground creating waves of color, and the curving shapes adding to the sense of tranquility. I was mesmerized watching the cinematography in the movie “What Dreams May Come” and my painting reminded me a little of those magical graphics, so I decided to title my piece the same.

Please stop by my booth at the Dallas Arboretum’s Artscape art show next weekend, (March 18-20), dallasarboretum.org/artscape/index.htm, where I will be exhibiting “What Dreams May Come” along with several of my other new palette knife paintings.

E-mail me at Niki Gulley if you would like more information.

Transformation oil painting

March 9, 2011

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!

To see more of my textured oil paintings, go to NikiGulley.com.

Or, e-mail me at Niki Gulley if you would like more information.