Tag: birches

Painting the Aspen Trail

August 27, 2012
SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  
Day 2, afternoon location – Aspen Trail
9″ x 12″ textured oil by Niki Gulley

On day 2 of our Santa Fe Art Trek, the temperature started rising in the afternoon, so we headed up into the mountains for cooler breezes to paint the beautiful aspen trees. We were attracted to the brilliant white trunks with their unique peeling bark and dark protruding knots. I liked how the soft dappled light came through the trees and illuminated the path, leading into the distance. Becoming totally lost in the moment, we set out to capture the peacefulness and contentment we felt that afternoon.
Above: Some of our students painting in the aspen grove, listening to the sounds of the babbling brook nearby. A perfect day!
Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.For new classes and workshops in Texas this fall, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Muted Hues

October 25, 2009

“Muted Hues” ©2009 Niki Gulley
36″ x 36″ oil on canvas

I paint a lot of bold fall foliage scenes from Colorado and farther north, but I wanted this painting to have a more peaceful feel so I used much softer, more muted color palette to add to that mood. For more information on Muted Hues, e-mail me at niki@nikigulley.com. or you can see this painting hanging at the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas.

Harmonious Hues

September 22, 2009
harmonious-hues-7
complimentary-contrast-5
“Harmonious Hues” series by Niki Gulley
oils on canvas • 12″ x 12″

I am really excited about the new paintings I’ve been creating for the Cottonwood Art Festival. I started playing around with thick oil paint and lots of texture early last spring, and the positive response to this new style has been incredible!

Here are a couple of my new seasonal foliage paintings. I love the peeling, knobby bark of the birch trunks, and I feel like I can really recreate that sense of texture by working with thick oil paint and palette knives. I hope you can stop by the Cottonwood Art Festival in Dallas Oct. 3rd & 4th to view them in person, since it’s hard to see their dimension on the computer screen. Each oil painting is 12″ x 12″ and they look great in pairs or threes. I’d love to hear your feedback!