July 2016

Andalusia Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams: Toledo

July 29, 2016

Day 1, Afternoon – Toledo, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

12″ x 9″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

After lunch on the first day of our Spain Art Trek, we gave everyone free time to explore the city. Some visited the Cathedral, some toured the el Greco art museum, others shopped and some painted.

I set up my easel in this peaceful garden shaded by these massive trees and painted the colorful architecture in the distance and the beautiful dappled light raking across the scene. That evening we dined on a gourmet tapas meal of scallops wrapped in bacon with lobster sauce, duck and strawberry salad, beef tenderloin with grilled asparagus, smoked octopus and assorted desserts. Delicious and a perfect ending to a fun-filled day!

Dinner in Toledo

Next summer we will be leading three different Art Treks 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 trips! See details at ArtTreks.org.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Andalusia, Spain Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 27, 2016

Day 1 – Toledo, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

9″ x 12″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

On
the first full day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that
my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in southern Spain, the painters set up their easels at this gorgeous overlook of the river below and the San Martin bridge built in the 14th century. Meanwhile the photographers and tourists visited the major sites in the city from Medieval synagogues, churches and mosques to wandering the labyrinth of streets and shops. Meeting up for lunch, we dined al fresco on paella, fresh salads and stews, while we swapped experiences from our morning.

Painting at the San Martin bridge overlook

Next
summer we will be leading three different Art Treks 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 trips! See details at ArtTreks.org.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Just Sold – “Creating Memories” Palette Knife Oil Painting of Venice, Italy by Niki Gulley

July 25, 2016

SOLD • 24″ x 36″ • textured oil painting

Inspired
from our first trip to Italy, I fell in love with everything about
Venice. The city feels preserved in time with all transportation
happening on water versus roads. The architecture, art, history, and
people are all fascinating, the food and wine delicious, and it was such
a romantic place to visit. So in this painting, I captured a lone
gondola to convey that feeling of lazily drifting along with your loved
one down this brick canal filled with history and future memories.

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

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

New Palette Knife Lavender Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 22, 2016

24″ x 12″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

The
lavender fields in Provence are incredible – perfectly manicured rows
and rows of an explosion of violet as far as the eye can see. I wanted
to try something different in this painting, arranging the purple waves
vertically to draw your eye up to the lone tree in the distance. One
puffy cloud mirrors its shape as the lavender columns create a flowing
rhythm. Perspective lines all converge, leading you to this joyful spot
and I hope you can smell the amazing aromas and feel your spirits lifted
while gazing into this scene!

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

If
you’re near Ann Arbor, MI, please stop by my booth at the State Street Art Fair this Thurs. – Sun.

State Street Area Art Fair
Thurs. July 21 • 10am – 9pm
Fri. July 22 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 23 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 24 • 10am – 6pm
Ann Arbor, MI • on N. University between Thayer & State St.

Booth #2014B – 2015B
a2StateStreetAreaArtFair.com

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For more information on our plein air painting and photography Art Treks workshops in Europe, please check out ArtTreks.org.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

New Palette Knife Iris Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 20, 2016

“Flowing into Spring III” ©2016 Niki Gulley
24″ x 12″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas • Lee Park, Dallas

Painted on location at Lee Park in Dallas, I loved how the irises signaled that spring was in full bloom. Standing tall, anchoring this corner of the creek these purple blooms lead your eye up through the canvas, along the water’s edge to the stone bridge in the distance. The soft light adds to the peacefulness of this tranquil spot, and I hope all of your cares are transported away while lifting your spirits.

If
you’re near Ann Arbor, MI, please stop by my booth at the State Street Art Fair this Thurs. – Sun.

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

E-mail – Niki Gulley

New “Flowing into Spring II” Palette Knife Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

July 18, 2016

“Flowing into Spring II” ©2016 Niki Gulley
24″ x 12″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

I
painted this scene from the Dallas Arboretum on location a few weeks
ago when the weather was beautiful and the spring buds were in full
bloom. I love tulips being one of the first flowers to announce that
winter has officially ended, so I focused on these colorful red and
white striped ones in the foreground, which contrast so well against the
complimentary green leaves and grasses. I also liked how their height
leads you back into the distant flower beds and onto the Degolyer house
in the background, so I chose this vertical panorama format to
accentuate that feeling. Loaded with thick oil paint, texture and
movement, I hope you can feel the joy that spring is in the air!

If
you’re near Ann Arbor, MI, please stop by my booth at the State Street Art Fair this Thurs. – Sun.

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

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Palette Knife Poppy Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 15, 2016

SOLD • 24″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Just Sold! I
wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of color and energy. Set
beneath a vibrant 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.

In
this vertical wildflower series, I’ve framed the paintings in espresso
floater frames so that you can still see the textured oil paint
continuing around the edges of the canvas. These poppies look great hung
alone or in a grouping, too!

To see more of Niki Gulley’s textured landscape paintings please check out NikiGulley.com,

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary poppy, sunflower, lavender and wildflower paintings.

***

For
more information on our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Art
Trek Workshops in Italy, England and Ireland, please visit www.ArtTreks.org or e-mail Niki Gulley.

New “Flowing into Spring” Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 13, 2016

I painted this scene from the Dallas Arboretum on location a few weeks ago when the weather was beautiful and the spring buds were in full bloom. I was attracted to this Azalea trail with the vivid fuchsia blossoms tucked away in this cool, shady, peaceful garden. Choosing a vertical panoramic format leads your eye from the azaleas to wander up the trail towards the light and the beautiful dogwood tree in the distance, all while lifting your spirits.

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

E-mail – Niki Gulley

New “Visions of Azaleas” Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

July 11, 2016

Painted on location, I set up my easel in front of these prolific azalea bushes along Turtle Creek near my home. The vibrant pinks and fuchsia were so full of life set against the cool green leaves, that I wanted to capture not only that vivid spring color but also the elegant sycamore tree in the distance with its speckled white bark. Contrasting the height of the vertical tree against the horizontal blooms, I chose this vertical panoramic canvas, and repeating shapes throughout creates a harmony to the overall scene. Painted with palette knife and lots of texture, I hope you can feel the beauty and energy of a perfect spring day.

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

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Just Sold – “Carpet of Crimson” Tuscany Painting by Niki Gulley

July 8, 2016

SOLD • 24″ x 12″ textured oil painting

I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of color and energy. Set beneath a multi-hued 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.

In this vertical wildflower series, I’ve framed the paintings in espresso floater frames so that you can still see the textured oil paint continuing around the edges of the canvas. These poppies look great hung alone or in a grouping, too!

To see more of Niki Gulley’s textured landscape paintings please check out NikiGulley.com,

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary poppy, sunflower, lavender and wildflower paintings.

***

For more information on our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek Workshops in Italy, England and Ireland, please visit www.ArtTreks.org or e-mail Niki Gulley.