contemporary impressionists

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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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 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.

Palette Knife Painter Niki Gulley Paints Covered Bridges

September 25, 2023

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

We have landed in New York, about an hour from Buffalo, in Scott’s hometown. The fall leaves are just barely turning colors and the temps are in the 70s. Beautiful!

Our first stop – Scott played a round of golf with old friends and since the grounds were so pretty, I decided to set up my easel at the golf course. So, here is my first painting of a covered bridge. This was a great introduction to more covered bridges to come!

To purchase, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/covered-drive/.

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 Adirondack Chairs in New York by Niki Gulley

September 22, 2023

7″ x 5″ textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley

We have arrived in New York! Second stop on our Fall Foliage Freedom Tour. 15 hours later in our RV, but we made it. Now time to relax a little bit. Come join me on this inviting Adirondack porch!

If interested in purchasing, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/adirondack-chair/.

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

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

New Colorado Columbine Textured Painting by Niki Gulley

May 31, 2023

30″ x 20″ textured oil painting

Through the pine tree window, Colorado’s splendor unfolds before you. Late light casts its golden glow across rolling hills illuminating Columbine and wildflowers along its journey. Contrasting textures of running paint and thick palette knife strokes create extreme dimension, connecting background to foreground, beckoning you onward and bringing the scene to life. May you relish this peaceful odyssey while soaking in the beauty of your surroundings and enjoying the rhythms of mother nature.

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

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

Packing Your Suitcase for a Painting Trip to Italy with Niki Gulley

February 21, 2023

Niki Gulley, Contemporary Impressionist Painter

Upcoming Venice Art Trek Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

The other day I showed you the materials that I take with me when I’m teaching / painting overseas. So, today I thought you might be interested in seeing how in the world all of this gear fits into my suitcase!

So, pretty much 1/2 to 2/3rds of my case ends up being painting supplies. Above you can see my Pochade box (easel) stacked on top of my wet panel carrier. In front of that, I have a bag with back-up paints should I run out of a color and the supplies that didn’t fit inside of my pochade box along with a roll of paper towels. I could buy those there, but I’m partial to VIVA since they hold up like rags and I have yet to find that brand in Europe. Lastly, in front of that you can see my tripod and my sun hat is in the lid.

Below I’ve attached a photo that shows you how I pack my clothes in the air space bags and below that is another pair of shoes, toiletries, medicines, etc. Voila! I actually got it all to fit and weigh under the maximum limit of 50 pounds. Thank goodness for dressing in layers so my clothes actually fit.

 
To see my plain air landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her paintings or classes.
 
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If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.
For more information on upcoming trips, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
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