Month: July 2014

Day 3, Paris Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Notre Dame

July 30, 2014
Notre Dame ©2014 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9″ oil painting • SOLD
Day 3, Paris Art Trek:
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the third day of our Paris Art Trek, we visited Notre-Dame Cathedral it all of its Gothic Splendor. Fortified by a delicious lunch of crepes, salads and quiches, the painters went back to replicate this view of the church’s rose window across the Seine while the rest of our photographers and tourists visited Saninte-Chapelle, the Latin Quarter and St. Germaine.

That night we gathered for you guessed it…more epicurean experiences! Beef Bourguignon, Strawberry cheesecake gelato, Kir Royals and profiteroles with chocolate sauce were just a few of the highlights.
 

If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks 
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014 • Sept. 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014 • Sept. 2015
New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015
Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015
 Provence, France – June 25 – July 3, 2014

 

July 28, 2014
“Peaceful Morning,” Tuileries ©2014 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ oil painting
Day 2, Paris Art Trek:
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the second day of our Paris Art Trek, half of our group visited the Louvres in the morning, and for any of my painters who had been to the museum before, we set up our easels across from this peaceful fountain in the Tuileries. It was a gorgeous day, and the light was soft and beautiful hitting the garden. We did a quick black and white value sketch to simplify the complexity of the scene, and then moved onto color. A perfect morning!

After we finished, we met up with the rest of the group for a picnic in the park, and in the afternoon some of us visited the Musee d’Orsay and their amazing impressionist art collection. That night we gathered for another amazing French dinner!

If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks 
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014 • Sept. 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014 • Sept. 2015
New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015
Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015
 Provence, France – June 25 – July 3, 2014

Day 1, Paris Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 25, 2014
“Paris in June” ©2014 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9″ oil painting
Day 1, Paris Art Trek:
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 

with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the first day of our Paris Art Trek, the sun was shining and it was a lovely 80 degrees. A perfect way to start our trip! In the morning, we went up in the Eiffel Tower and enjoyed the amazing views of the city. That afternoon, we painted in a quiet park next to the tower while the photographers shot around the city, and we all convened that night for a delicious Parisian dinner.

If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks 
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014 • Sept. 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014 • Sept. 2015
New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015
Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015
 Provence, France – June 25 – July 3, 2014

“October Blaze” Textured Birch Trees Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 23, 2014
“October Blaze” ©2014 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 36″ x 48″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
Just Sold! With “October Blaze,” 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!
For more information on palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

12×12 Palette Knife Floral Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 21, 2014

Hydrangeas ©2014 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 12″ x 12″ textured oil on canvas


Just Sold! I painted these hydrangeas with extremely thick oil paint and palette knife. The resulting canvas is loaded with texture, color and energy! I’ve painted it on 1 and 1/2 inch deep stretcher bars, with the image continuing around the edges so that it can be hung as is frameless for a contemporary look. 
These hydrangeas look great hung alone to brighten up a little spot, or in a grouping with some of my other 12×12 florals. Hang them horizontally, vertically, on a diagonal or stacked. If interested in seeing companion pieces, please e-mail Niki Gulley for options.


To see more of my textured flower paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.

New Tuscany Sunflower Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 18, 2014
“Flowing with Sunshine,” Tuscany ©2014 Niki Gulley
10″ x 30″ textured oil painting

I chose to paint this view of our villa that we stay in during our Tuscany Art Treks, since I’d been admiring it for years. I like how the old stone farmhouse sits high on its hilltop with amazing 360 degree views of the rolling valleys and hill towns. The clouds have been gorgeous every trip we’ve taken, so I also wanted to convey that beauty in this panorama. Taking a few liberties and adding the sunflowers in place of the pool, “Flowing with Sunshine” is loaded with texture, color and uplifting energy!

If you’d like to join us in Tuscany for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 5th-13th, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
Upcoming Art Treks
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014
New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015
Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015
Andulucia, Spain – May 2014
The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015
 Provence, France – June 25 – July 3, 2014



Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!
E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

***

If you’re in the Ann Arbor, MI area this coming weekend and you’d like to see Flowing with Sunshine and more of my palette knife landscape paintings in person, please stop by my booth at the State Street Area Art Fair.

State Street Area Art Fair
Wed. July 16 • 10am – 9pm
Thurs. July 17 • 10am – 9pm
Fri. July 18 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 19 • 10am – 6pm
Ann Arbor, MI
Booth #B212 on N. University between Thayer & State St.
A2StateStreetArtFair.com
To see more of my sunflower and palette knife floral paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

New Poppy Palette Knife Painting, “Ruby Delights,” by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

July 16, 2014
“Ruby Delights” ©2014 Niki Gulley
24″ x 12″ textured mixed media on canvas 

Inspired from a wonderful trip to Provence, I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of color and energy.
Set beneath floating clouds and an azure blue sky on a beautiful day in springtime with the poppies and wildflowers in full bloom, I hope all of your cares drift away while gazing into this cheerful scene.

If you’re in the Ann Arbor, MI area this coming weekend and you’d like to see Ruby Delights and more of my palette knife paintings in person, please stop by my booth at the State Street Area Art Fair.

State Street Area Art Fair
Wed. July 16 • 10am – 9pm
Thurs. July 17 • 10am – 9pm
Fri. July 18 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 19 • 10am – 6pm
Ann Arbor, MI
Booth #B212 on N. University between Thayer & State St.
A2StateStreetArtFair.com
To see more of my poppy and palette knife floral paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

New Palette Knife Poppy Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 14, 2014
“Spring’s Rewards” ©2014 Niki Gulley
24″ x 12″ textured mixed media on canvas 

Red headed poppies nod and wave, basking in summer sunshine, nestling amidst green pastures and soon to be harvested crops. It’s Provence: fertile, fruitful and filled with stunning vistas in every direction.
I hope you, too, feel an uplifting sense of peacefulness and the beauty of the countryside looking into Spring’s Rewards.

If you’re in the Ann Arbor, MI area this coming weekend and you’d like to see Spring’s Rewards and more of my palette knife paintings in person, please stop by my booth at the State Street Area Art Fair.

State Street Area Art Fair
Wed. July 16 • 10am – 9pm
Thurs. July 17 • 10am – 9pm
Fri. July 18 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 19 • 10am – 6pm
Ann Arbor, MI
Booth #B212 on N. University between Thayer & State St.
A2StateStreetArtFair.com
To see more of my poppy and palette knife floral paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

“Heightened Awareness” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

July 11, 2014
Heightened
Awareness III ©2014 Niki Gulley
48″ x 36″ • Textured mixed media on canvas

In this painting I wanted you to feel that child-like wonder of staring up in into the treetops and the heavens above. I chose vibrant, cheerful yellows contrasted against a violet blue sky filled with big, puffy clouds. And, by arranging the aspens in a circular pattern heightened by thick, curving paint strokes, that joyful, playful feeling of hope and discovery are enhanced.

If you’re in the Madison, WI area this coming weekend and you’d like to see Heightened Awareness and more of my palette knife paintings in person, please stop by my booth at Art Fair on the Square.

Art Fair on the Square
Sat. July 12 • 9am – 6pm
Sun. July 13 • 10am – 5pm
Capitol Square • Madison, WI
Booth #364

To see more of my aspen and birch tree paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

“Aqua Dreams” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 9, 2014

“Aqua Dreams” ©2014 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.

If you’re in the Madison, WI area this coming weekend and you’d like to see Aqua Dreams and more of my palette knife paintings in person, please stop by my booth at Art Fair on the Square.

Art Fair on the Square
Sat. July 12 • 9am – 6pm
Sun. July 13 • 10am – 5pm
Capitol Square • Madison, WI
Booth #364

To see more of my aspen and birch tree paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail – Niki Gulley