January 2023

New Orleans Garden District Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

January 31, 2023

12″ x 9″ palette knife oil painting

On our plein air painting and photography workshop my husband and I taught in New Orleans, we rode the trolley to the Garden District and set out to capture the beautiful architecture so distinctive of the area. I was attracted to this grand pink house, and in particular I loved the huge old oak tree framing it. The dappled light hitting the trunk was so striking that I decided to accentuate that in my painting with a multitude of colors and values while making the background soft to keep the composition from becoming too cluttered. The sheer size and age of the trees in New Orleans is incredible, which I set out to show juxtaposing the massive oak against the smaller two-story homes in the distance. Created with palette knife and a lot of oil paint, this canvas is loaded with texture and uplifting colors so that you feel the joy and energy of hanging out in New Orleans.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my paintings.

Pastel Home Portrait by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

January 30, 2023

SOLD • 11″ x 14″ pastel by Niki Gulley

Just Delivered! My final request for 2022 was to create a special home portrait. I no longer advertise that I make these, but I am still happy to paint something special for my collectors or their referrals by request. So for this particular pastel, someone new reached out to me with the craziest 6-degrees-of-separation story! They had purchased a home in the M streets of Dallas and the previous home owner (who turned out to be one of my early collectors) had gifted and left them the home portrait I had created for her in 2004.

Fast forward to this year, and these home owners were ready to move into another place, so they wanted to pass on the gift again to the new people purchasing their home and leave my home portrait from 2004 with the house. So, of course when they moved into their new place (and no one had left a home portrait here), they asked me to create something special for their Christmas gift. So fun! I was even able to include their doggie in the window this time. I hope they enjoy the new memories, and a big thank you to both home owners from 2004 and 2022.

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

For more information on my large floral paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Santa Fe Pastel by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

January 27, 2023

“The Blue Door,” Santa Fe ©2022 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9″ pastel

During our Santa Fe workshop, one morning we headed to a quiet street in downtown. It was a beautiful day, and we were all drawn to the unique adobe architecture typical in Santa Fe, the soft morning light, and the vibrant color accents on each home. I chose this periwinkle doorway, both for the striking contrast against the orange pueblo and also because the Russian sage everywhere was so beautiful, and added some balance on the left hand side of the composition. We all thoroughly enjoyed the morning, even if a passing homeowner or two were disappointed that we hadn’t picked their doorways to paint!

To see more of Niki Gulley’s New Mexico and Southwest paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my plein air travel paintings.

“Oldest House in Glen Rose” by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

January 26, 2023

12″ x 16″ textured oil painting • Glenrose, TX

Painted on location in Glen Rose, Texas with the company of my Outdoor Painters Society, I chose to paint the oldest house in town. It was so full of character and charm and I loved the big huge front porch and white-washed picket fence. The pergola welcomes you to step right in and relax on a rocking chair, visiting with neighbors and loved ones. Dramatic lighting and shadows add to the warmth of the moment.

For more information on my textured contemporary landscape paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at: nikigulley.com.

“Going to Class” from Oxford by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

January 25, 2023

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Inspired from a visit to Oxford, England, I loved the feel and energy of the old college town. We stopped in our tracks one day as we were passing in front of this Ivy covered wall, almost engulfing the massive hand-carved wooden door. Golden light was raking across the scene, beckoning you to take a look and go inside. The fact that the bike was parked right there, made it the perfect photo opp and later in the studio, the perfect painting subject.

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

Winter Wonderland Commission by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

January 24, 2023

SOLD • 24″ x 12″ Textured Mixed Media on Canvas

Just Shipped! This has been a busy year for commissions! Next, I was asked to create two special paintings for some collectors of mine, whom we have become really close to over the years. They have accompanied us on an Art Trek and have graciously invited us to stay with them in Mexico and the United States since that fun-filled trip. So, I was truly honored and flattered that they asked me to paint Cookie’s garden in full bloom during the summer and also frosted with snow in the winter.

Trying to take fairly horizontal compositions and turn them into narrow vertical paintings made for a fun, challenging project! While, making sure the garden was filled with a beautiful dusting of snow so that every branch was iced and including personal details like the angel statue and the Christmas wreath on the red door, I wanted their garden and walkway to welcome you into their lovely home.

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

For more information on my large floral paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

New Garden Commission by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

January 23, 2023

SOLD • 24″ x 12″ Textured Mixed Media on Canvas

Trying to take a fairly horizontal composition and turn it into a narrow vertical made for a fun, challenging project! While, making sure the garden was filled with prolific colorful blooms and including personal details like the angel statue and the bird bath in the tree, I wanted their garden and walkway to welcome you into their lovely home.

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

For more information on my large floral paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Abstract Poppy Field Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

January 20, 2023

20″ x 30″ textured mixed media painting on wrap around canvas

In this painting I wanted to create a dream-like feel using one of my favorite flowers, the poppy. There is something awe-inspiring about the transformation of a single dainty flower into a dense explosion of vibrant, energetic crimson that delights your senses and lifts your spirits. Arranging the wildflower masses in the foreground to create waves of color and repeating those curving shapes throughout the landscape add to a sense of joyful harmony and tranquility.

For more information on this painting, please contact The Good Art Company Gallery, in Fredericksburg, TX at goodartcompany.com/gacart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25&sort=20a&page=1&z.

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For more details on my abstracted wildflower paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

“Blossoming Dreams II” Abstract Bluebonnet Painting by Niki Gulley

January 19, 2023

24″ x 36″ textured mixed media painting on 1.5″ wrap around canvas with the painting continuing around the edges

I wanted to show Texas’ spring landscape in a completely different way. Making sure not to over blend my thick strokes so that you could see the marks and feel the energy found in nature. Repeating patterns and waves of color create a harmony within the painting, while rendering the bluebonnets and wildflowers along with their surroundings abstractly plays with taking a traditional subject matter and showing it in a contemporary way. With an aura of mystery, late day light touches the tops of the grasses and hills with glimmers of hope.

For more information on this painting, please contact The Good Art Company Gallery, in Fredericksburg, TX at goodartcompany.com/gacart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25&sort=20a&page=1&z.

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For details on more of my bluebonnet and Texas wildflower paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

“Blue Rhapsody II” Abstract Bluebonnet Painting by Niki Gulley

January 18, 2023

36″ x 36″ textured mixed media painting on wrap around canvas

I wanted to show Texas’ spring landscape in a completely different way. With an aura of mystery and the promise of what tomorrow holds, late day light sparkles over the horizon casting its warm glow kissing everything it touches with glimmers of hope. The vague suggestion of bluebonnets and colorful wildflowers peek through the dancing golden tangle, leaving the landscape loose and free so that your imagination can tell its story. May you relish the joy in the beauty of nature, bathing in the moment and looking forward to what tomorrow will bring.

Please contact AO5 Gallery in Austin, TX to purchase this painting:

https://ao5gallery.com/collections/niki-gulley.

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

For more information on my palette knife bluebonnet and Texas wildflower paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.