July 2015

Just Sold – “Triple Passion” Red Roses palette knife oil painting by Niki Gulley

July 31, 2015

SOLD • 48″ x 24″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

I love the passion and energy in the color red, so I thought it would be fun to play with the still life I had set up of roses and make a painting where red was the dominant color. In person, seeing these roses at life size, I wanted the viewer to be swept up in the movement and emotion of this piece. Utilizing flowing spirals, weaving back and forth, playful thick and thin paint in bold, loose strokes, ruby petals emerging and disappearing, all meant to tease and excite your senses.

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

To see more of Niki Gulley’s contemporary floral paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

Niki Gulley Exhibiting at Davis and Company Fine Art Gallery

July 29, 2015

SOLD • 36″ x 36″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Just sold through Davis and Company Fine Art Gallery! In April Rhythms II, I wanted to capture the rhythm, color, and density of our Indian Paintbrush, bluebonnets and vibrant wildflowers flowing along the grassy rises and falls of the berms in the Texas Hill Country. Making sure not to over blend my thick strokes so that you could see the marks and feel the energy found in nature, April Rhythms is loaded with texture, color and movement. Repeating patterns, shapes and hues in the blooms, sky and distant mesquite trees unite foreground and background and add to the harmony of spring’s symphony.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my bluebonnets and Texas Wildflower paintings.

Last Day, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 27, 2015

Last Day, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

7″ x 5″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the last day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Greece, some folks shopped, some relaxed by the pool, others continued photographing. I couldn’t miss one last opportunity to paint our gorgeous Santorini view from our hotel balcony. Everyone had a lovely, rejuvenating afternoon!

Later that day we all gathered to share what we had painted and photographed during the trip, and sample some of the local wines and cheeses while we discussed the art. To cap off the evening, we treated ourselves to a delicious seafood dinner with another gorgeous view of the ocean, catching up with new friends and savoring our last night. A perfect ending to a perfect trip!

Dinner with an amazing view on our last night.

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Day 5, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Sunset Cruise

July 24, 2015

Day 5, Sunset Boat Cruise – Greece Art Trek

5″ x 7″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

That afternoon we rode the cable cars to the port below and caught a boat cruise that ferried us across the bay and around the island at sunset. Stopping at the volcano, some of our group hiked to the top, which was quite intriguing with its sci-fi type lava rock. Meanwhile some of us pulled out our paints and sketched the scenery around us. I particularly liked the casual posture and conversation of these two ladies who were part of our group, so I chose them for my subject. Both were wearing their new hats, which glowed in the sunlight. With just an hour to paint, all we could do is loosely capture a particular feeling. A fun challenge!

Next we stopped at a hot spring for anyone who wanted to swim. And, finally we cruised around the island enjoying the view from the water while the sunset on the horizon, sipping some Greek wines and nibbling on some local meats and cheeses. A great end to the day!

Watching sunset from the boat cruise.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.Or, if you are in the Denver, CO area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at the Cheesman Park Art Fest.

Cheesman Park Art Fest
Sat. July 25 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 26 • 10am – 9pm
Denver, CO
dasheventsdenver.com/#!cheesman/ctzx

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Capturing Sunrise in Santorini with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 22, 2015

Day 5, Sunrise in Oia – Greece Art Trek

8″ x 10″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

The next morning of our Greece Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop, the photographers got up early to shoot sunrise and I decided to join them. Town was so peaceful and the views were incredible. I chose this strategic location to capture the iconic blue domes over the caldera. It was cloudier this morning which created a peaceful feeling with softer sunrise colors that spread across the sky. I hope you, too, can feel the beauty and tranquility of this special spot.

Enjoying a drink that afternoon at our gorgeous pool view.

Cheesman Park Art Fest
Sat. July 25 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 26 • 10am – 9pm
Denver, CO
dasheventsdenver.com/#!cheesman/ctzx

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Painting and Photographing in Oia, Greece with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 20, 2015

Day 4, Afternoon – Greece Art Trek: Oia, Santorini

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

With so much beautiful scenery, it was hard to decide on a subject, but a couple of the painters chose this iconic view of the windmills and bleached architecture contrasted against the cobalt blue skies and waters below. Meanwhile the photographers climbed every nook and cranny in town in search for the perfect shot, and others chose to shop or relax with a snack, soaking in the gorgeous view over the caldera.

One of my student’s easels with their completed painting overlooking Oia in the background.

Cheesman Park Art Fest
Sat. July 25 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 26 • 10am – 9pm
Denver, CO
dasheventsdenver.com/#!cheesman/ctzx

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Day 4, Greece Art Trek

July 17, 2015

Day 4, Greece Art Trek: Afternoon Location – Oia, Santorini

8″ x 10″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

That afternoon, we headed to the other end of the island, to the beautiful city of Oia. The painters chose to set up their easels by the lookout point at the edge of town, with some painting the windmills and skyline to our left and I chose this sprawling view of the city on the right. With a far more complicated scene, we had to allow a full afternoon and evening to capture the view. After so much white and blue architecture, I loved how several of the buildings were painted oranges, yellows and pinks contrasting agains the stark alabaster.

That evening we put down our brushes and let the photographers work on capturing the beautiful sunset, while we sat back and enjoyed the amazing view!

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.Or, if you are in the Ann Arbor, MI area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at the State Street Area Art Fair.

State Street Area Art Fair
Wed. July 15 • 10am – 9pm
July 16 and 17 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 18 • 10am – 6pm Ann Arbor, MI
Booth #B214 on N. University between Thayer and State St.
a2statestreetareaartfair.com

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Day 4 of Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 15, 2015

Day 4, Greece Art Trek: Morning Location – Akrotiri, Santorini

5″ x 7″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the fourth day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Greece, we visited Akrotiri, the remains from a Minoan civilization preserved during the volcanic eruption from the 16th century BC. The ancient city was fascinating! The beach next door also made for a beautiful, relaxing painting location!

The Red Beach • photo by Scott Williams

State Street Area Art Fair
Wed. July 15 • 10am – 9pm
July 16 and 17 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 18 • 10am – 6pm

Ann Arbor, MI
Booth #B214 on N. University between Thayer and State St.
a2statestreetareaartfair.com

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Painting and Photographing in Santorini, Greece with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 13, 2015

Day 3, Greece Art Trek: Santorini

7″ x 5″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

The next day we painted around the corner from hotel where we had this beautiful vantage point of the white domed church and the ocean below. The photographers viewed more of the town, while others relaxed at the pool at our hotel. That afternoon, we headed to a Santorini winery and sampled the local wines. Yum!

Taking a little time out to enjoy the view and sample the Greek wines, which are quite tasty!

State Street Area Art Fair
Wed. July 15 • 10am – 9pm
July 16 and 17 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 18 • 10am – 6pm
Ann Arbor, MI
Booth #B214
on N. University between Thayer and State St.
a2statestreetareaartfair.com

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

“October Rhythms” Textured Aspen Painting by Niki Gulley – Just Sold

July 6, 2015

SOLD • 36″ x 48″ textured oil painting on gallery wrap canvas

Just Sold through the Good Art Company Gallery! I find being immersed in nature can have such an uplifting effect, and I wanted to share that feeling with you in October Rhythms. I chose pure, intense reds and yellows contrasted against autumn golds and chocolates to create an fall forest that vibrates with color, energy and sound. The repetition in the aspen trunks and foliage patterns, combined with the flickering tones of the breeze rustling the leaves reminded me of a symphony in the forest so I titled this painting October Rhythms.

To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail – Niki Gulley