“Woodland Stroll” Birch Tree Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“Woodland Stroll” ©2020 Niki Gulley
10″ x 20” textured oil painting

Today we continued our counterclockwise adventure around Iceland to arrive in the north, near the massive, impressive Godafoss waterfall. Unfortunately, our weather turned for the worse, and it was way too wet to paint the falls. However, just over the mountain, 20 minutes away at our b and b, the skies were fairly clear with even occasional glimpses of sunshine. I loved these birch trees all over their property, leading you down to the gorgeous view of the mountains in the distance. Sprinkled with summer wildflowers, I set out to capture the light casting long shadows from the trunks and causing the grasses to glow in the foreground, leading to a feeling of joy and serenity in this beautiful spot.

Close up texture detail of Woodland Stroll: 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
Iceland – Aug. 2021
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2021
Portugal – Sept. 2021
 
For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
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To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 

  https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

“Parade of Color” Impasto Oil Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley


“Parade of Color” ©2020 Niki Gulley
24″ x 48″ textured oil painting
 
Filled with joy and energy, Parade of Color is loaded with texture and uplifting hues that almost dance on the canvas. Mysterious light leads you down the path, beckoning you into the distance. What lies beyond? Where will your adventure take you next? I hope you can find the excitement in the journey!
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her palette knife aspen tree and contemporary landscape paintings. 
 
 

 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

New “Prickly Tower” Contemporary Cactus Painting by Niki Gulley

“Prickly Tower” ©2020 Niki Gulley
48″ x 30″ Textured Mixed Media Painting on 1.5″ wrap around canvas with the painting continuing around the edges
 

On a recent trip, we came across these gigantic cacti. I had never seen such a large cactus before and I was awestruck by its age and size. Purposely choosing this angle from below and narrowing the perspective as it stretches to the dramatic clouds drifting by in the sky, you can get a sense of its scale. Filled with vibrant colors and dragging my paint in swirling, diagonal patterns add to the energy and joy of the scene. 

 
For more information on my textured palette knife paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
 
Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.
 

 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

“Elevated Love” Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

“Elevated Love” ©2020 Niki Gulley

48″ x 36” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Recently I felt compelled to paint a new treetop painting where a couple has etched a heart into the aspen bark. With romance in the air and the excitement of young love, this painting is full of playful colors and energy to match those emotions. 

Close up texture detail on Elevated Love.
For more information on my textured palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
 
Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

 

 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

“Soaring High” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

Soaring High ©2020 Niki Gulley
30″ x 48″ • Textured mixed media on canvas
 

I wanted this painting to be filled with uplifting colors and energetic strokes all leading you skyward, to soar amongst the clouds. Aspen trees reach towards the heavens while gentle breezes cause the sky to dance while you lay on the ground gazing in wonderment. Happy hues, whimsical shapes and a feeling of movement, hopefully transport you to a carefree childhood moment where all of your worries drift away and dreams are created.

To see more of my palette knife aspen and birch tree paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.
E-mail – Niki Gulley

 

 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

“Climbing Trees” Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“Climbing Trees” ©2020 Niki Gulley
40” x 30” oil on canvas
 

Growing up in the midwest, I loved the first snowfall of the year when everything would get a beautiful dusting of pristine white powder, including even the tiniest of branches in the treetops above. If you caught that moment early enough in the morning before anything had disturbed the intricate frosted web, it was just magical. Then the sun would start rising and peeking through the limbs, and everything would sparkle like diamonds. In Climbing Trees, I wanted to capture that beautiful moment when the sunlight dances through the icing on the treetops and you can feel yourself looking up in wonderment just like you did when you were a kid.

 
 
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E-mail – Niki Gulley for more information on Climbing Trees.

To see more of Niki Gulley’s Palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

 

 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

“Soaring Dreams II” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Soaring Dreams II” ©2020 Niki Gulley
textured oil painting on canvas • 34″ x 34″
 

In this painting I wanted you to feel that child-like wonder of staring up into the treetops and heavens above. Choosing uplifting golds and reds contrasted against a lavender-blue sky with gentle clouds drifting by, I’ve arranged the aspens in a circular pattern to give you a sense of laying on the ground, surrounded by the forest. Using diagonal leading lines with the tree trunks and limbs, your eye gazes into the focal point where all of the elements come together. Meanwhile, utilizing thick, curving paint strokes adds to that joyful, playful feeling of hope and discovery.

To see more of my impressionist palette knife paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.
 
If you have any questions about my aspen and birch tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 

“Reclining Thoughts” Textured Aspen Tree painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

 

“Reclining Thoughts” ©2020 Niki Gulley
40″ x 30” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

In this painting, I wanted you to you to experience the joy of looking up into the treetops – just like you did when you were a kid. Lying on the ground, not a care in the world, you gaze in wonderment as the clouds drift by. Choosing warm yellows, reds and greens and utilizing thick chunky staccato strokes add to that childlike whimsy and I hope you are transported back to a happy, carefree time and place.

 
For more information on my textured palette knife birch and aspen tree oil paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
 
Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.
 

 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 

“Autumn Serenade” Palette Knife Fall Foliage Painting by Niki Gulley

 

“Autumn Serenade”  ©2020 Niki Gulley

36″ x 48″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Shimmering colors of autumn: Aspen, Oak and the forest of trees quiver, their light graceful leaves tremble and quake, silver and gold, scarlet and tangerine, with each light breeze. There is the quiet energy of change coming and vibrant color charges the woods. Crisp fall mountain air, slender trunks cut bright strokes of white against a dazzling kaleidoscope of colors. Staccato strokes and shimmering hues add to the feeling of change in the air and suggest the breeze whistling through the foliage.

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

 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 

“United Journey” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

“United Journey” ©2020 Niki Gulley
30″ x 48″ textured oil painting
 
Shimmering in golden light, this backlit grove of aspen trees reaches tall, greeting you as you enter the forest. First signs of autumn appear as golden leaves dance in the gentle breeze. A well traveled path on the right beckons you to go for a stroll and soak in nature’s tranquility and beauty.
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her palette knife aspen tree and contemporary landscape paintings. 
 

 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/