contemporary impressionists

“Autumn Hideaway” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 8, 2024

16″ x 20″ textured oil painting

On this morning in Stowe, VT, we ventured up to the majestic overlook by the Von Trapp property to capture the spectacular scenery. I loved how this cabin was perfectly tucked into the mountainside surrounded by vibrant fall foliage. The slightly overcast day made the colors pop even more! I hope you, too, can enjoy the crisp autumn air and a peaceful escape from the bustle of city life.

To purchase “Autumn Hideaway,” please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/autumn-hideaway/.

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

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

Strolling through a birch forest painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

January 25, 2024

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’d like to own “Woodland Stroll,” please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/woodland-stroll/.

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If you’re interested in joining us on our upcoming Art Trek to Iceland, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

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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.

Painting Godafoss Waterfall with Niki Gulley – Iceland Art Trek

January 24, 2024

9″ x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel

To purchase, visit nikigulley.com/cascades-iii/.

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 5 – Godafoss

This evening we arrived in time to witness sunset over the massive Godafoss falls at the top of The Golden Circle. I set out to capture these gorgeous falls with all of their power and glory. Using diagonal strokes to capture the energy and strength of the cascades, I also wanted to show the mountains they were tumbling over as the water gushed and tumbled. Dramatic sunset clouds drift by, adding to the rhythm and emotion of this special place.The colors were so beautiful in the sky and created a rainbow of reflected colors in the cascading water. Sketching out my composition and squeezing out my colors ahead of time helped me be able to capture this fleeting moment. I hope you can hear the surging water and feel the joy of this magical place.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

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If you’re interested in joining us in 2024 on our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Iceland this coming August or on a future Art Trek or Foodie Trek, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

Iceland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

January 23, 2024

12″ x 9” textured oil painting

Iceland Art Trek: Day 2 – Kvernofoss

Next up on our Iceland itinerary was visiting another waterfall. My husband and I love waterfalls, and it feels like Iceland has one even better than the next around every bend! So, needless to say we were pretty happy painting and photographing all of the falls the country had to offer. This cascade that we visited today is smaller in stature but no less impressive. It tumbles down over the rocky mountain and empties into a river carving its way through the lush, craggy valley below. I wanted to capture not only the falls, but the water’s path as it flows and snakes its way around the towering rock formations. Other than the midges that would swarm when the sun came out, it was a perfect afternoon!

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

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For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

Waterfall Palette Knife Painting from Iceland by Niki Gulley

January 22, 2024

12″ x 16” textured oil painting

Iceland Art Trek: Day 1 – Skogafoss

First stop on our Iceland Art Trek this year was the Skogafoss waterfall. Surrounded by lush grassy mountains, this cascade surges downward with such force and power! Today I set up my easel to capture the energy and flow of the water. Creating strokes in diagonal sweeping shapes to enhance that feeling of movement and rhythm, I hope you, too, can hear the flowing water’s music and feel the gentle spray from its mist.

To purchase “Falling Water,” go to https://www.nikigulley.com/falling-water-ii-2/.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

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For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

Iceland Painting and Photography Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

January 18, 2024

9″ x 12” textured oil painting

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 3 – Vatnajokull National Park / Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

The next morning, we stopped by to photograph more puffins on our way out of town. Because you can never have enough puffin watching! Then we gathered up our merry band of trekkers and headed further east to the Vatnjokull National Park. Here we had several hours to hike and photograph the exotic scenery and another amazing waterfall before our final drive to our hotel located near the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

Or, for one click shopping to purchase “Ice Drift,” go to https://www.nikigulley.com/ice-drift/.

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For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

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NikiGulley.com

New Colorado Wildflower Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

December 27, 2023

34″ x 34″ textured mixed media painting on canvas

Crimson Paintbrush fill Colorado’s undulating grassy fields with color joy. Making sure to not over blend my thick strokes allows you to see the marks and feel the peaceful energy, as nature’s palette holds a harmonic concert. Repeating patterns and waves of color create a harmony within the painting, while rendering the blooms and their surroundings abstractly plays with taking a traditional subject matter and showing it in a contemporary way.

To purchase, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/rhythms-of-summer-iv/.

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

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

New Contemporary Summer Aspens Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

December 15, 2023

26″ x 26″ textured mixed media painting on canvas

Colorado in July is such a beautiful sight to behold! Cool mountain breezes and woods loaded with tranquil aspens invigorate your soul while cheerful lupine and native wildflowers lift your spirits and fill your heart with joy. Nature’s symphony dances to a tune that is music for your senses. Loaded with texture and color, may “Rhythms of Summer” transport you to this magical land of summer serenity.

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my palette knife aspen and birch paintings.

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

New “Full Circle” Seasons Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 21, 2023

30″ x 30″ textured acrylic painting on circular board

In “Full Circle,” I started thinking about how everything has its life cycle. Trees evolve from season to season, sprouting buds, forming leaves, turning in the fall and eventually dying back in the winter. Time is a constant. In our lives, the idea of time is often in the back or our mind. How long will we be here and how are we going to spend it? So, here I used nature as a metaphor. I arranged the seasons in the pattern of a clock face, representing the cycle of life. Twelve main trunks act like the hours in a day, arranged in a circle as time ticks on. Gazing into the treetops like looking up to the heavens, light shines through as a reassuring beacon of hope and what’s beyond.

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

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

“Autumn Hideaway” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 20, 2023

16″ x 20″ textured oil painting

After we finished teaching our Art Trek to Vermont, my husband and I stayed another few days to try to capture the gorgeous scenery on canvas and film. This morning, we ventured up to the majestic overlook by the Von Trapp property to capture the spectacular scenery. I loved how this cabin was perfectly tucked into the mountainside surrounded by vibrant fall foliage. The slightly overcast day made the colors pop even more! I hope you, too, can enjoy the crisp autumn air and a peaceful escape from the bustle of city life.

To purchase “Autumn Hideaway,” please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/autumn-hideaway/.

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

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