contemporary landscape painting

Experience Asheville’s Gorgeous Fall Foliage in Niki Gulley’s Paintings

December 22, 2025

SOLD • 20″ x 30″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

Just WOW!!! Our timing in Asheville was perfect. Gorgeous peak color and ideal 70 degree days. The view from our campsite was spectacular and I had to capture those autumn hues before they were gone. Especially since the leaves were falling into my paint as soon as I mixed the next color. I hope you can feel pure joy and energy in this one! And, there may be a little extra real leaf texture as a bonus.

To see a video about this painting, check out https://www.instagram.com/p/CzBw2bNOy_9/.

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For more information on my textured palette knife paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

Or, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

“Rhythm Reflections” Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

December 16, 2025

36″ x 60″ textured oil painting on canvas

I love being immersed in nature. After living in a city surrounded by concrete and noise, I find being surrounded by mother nature to be extremely cathartic, peaceful and rejuvenating. In Rhythm Reflections, I became fascinated with the mirror reflection on the aspen trees in the water below the horizon line. With the lake surface slightly blurring the individual leaves, patterns started emerging that created a sort of rhythm that I found mesmerizing. Working first with thin drippy paint, and then building up thick layers of oil paint with palette knives to achieve extreme dimension, this painting is loaded with movement, energy and color. Leaving the composition slightly abstracted gives you a chance to form your own contemplative narrative with nature.

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

E-mail – Niki Gulley

“Between the Birches” Fall Foliage Painting from Maine by Niki Gulley

December 15, 2025

18″ x 24″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Painted on location in Acadia National Park, we discovered this beautiful spot alongside the road with plenty of room to park our RV, which isn’t always easy to find a spot large enough. The birches were starting to turn colors and I loved this peaceful lake view. I hope it transports you to serenity, too!

For more details and to purchase, “Between the Birches,” follow https://www.nikigulley.com/between-the-birches/.

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For more information on my textured palette knife paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

Or, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

“Woodland Adventure” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

December 12, 2025

18″ x 24″” textured oil painting on board

I find being immersed in nature can have such an uplifting effect, and I wanted to share that feeling with you in Woodland Adventure. I chose pure, intense reds and yellows contrasted against autumn greens to create a fall forest that vibrates with color and energy. I placed the vivid foliage in diagonal sweeping shapes to create a sense of movement, so that you can feel the wind gently rustling the leaves and causing them to dance on a beautiful fall day.

To purchase this highly textured oil painting, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/woodland-adventure/.

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

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

Capturing Vermont’s Fall Foliage with Palette Knife Painter Niki Gulley

December 9, 2025

24″ x 18″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

The color explosion in northern Vermont was out of this world, and I just had to capture its fleeting beauty. So, we found a nice big place to park the RV and I was able to work larger again today. The reds were so vibrant and intense on this maple that it had to be my focus. Feeling like a kid with the excitement of the colors, I chose this uplifting view reminiscent of laying on the ground as a child and staring up into the treetops and sky. Totally lost in the moment and not a care in the world, I hope you are transported to a similar happy memory from your youth!

To purchase “Climbing to the Sky,” please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/climbing-to-the-sky/.

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For more information on my textured palette knife paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

Or, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

“Laundry Day II” Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

August 8, 2025

5″ x 7″ textured oil painting on panel

I had to capture this laundry drying with a cool morning breeze set against a peeling paint backdrop in the back canals of Venice. Dramatic lighting made the sheets glow in the morning sun. I love the rich colors Europeans paint their houses!

We are excited to announce a new Art Trek for next year, where you will feel like you’ve stepped into a different time and world, like right out of a movie set. We’re elated to be returning to Venice, Italy in February 2026 for the costumed fantasy that occurs during Carnival. We’re already about half full, so let us know if you’d like to come along.

And, while our Switzerland Trek is completely booked this month, we actually have 2 spots open in our Tuscany Foodie Trek this coming September. Always everyone’s favorite trip, please let us know if you would like to join us on that delicious gastronomic journey!

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Carnivalé Art Trek – Venice, Italy 2026
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings – Aug. 9th

https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

__________________________________

NikiGulley.com

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Visiting Siena, Italy – Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 7, 2025

7″ x 5″ oil painting on panel

Day 3: TUSCANY ART TREK – Siena

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the fourth day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we visited the Medieval hill town of Siena, with its incredible marble Duomo, great people-watching plaza, and interesting alleyways radiating out from the campo with something new to discover around every turn. While some of our group shopped, some photographed and others relaxed on the square, I set up in one of the quiet cobble streets to capture the textures of these ancient walls and mood of this unique city. For dinner that night, we treated ourselves to a delicious home-made Italian meal of pastas, truffles, pecorino cheese and some amazing red wine!

That night we had a Tuscan chef prepare us an amazing 7 course meal at the villa – Buon Appetito!

NikiGulley.com

E-mail Niki Gulley

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Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you’re in luck if you’ve always wanted to go! We’ve had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2025. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Carnivalé Art Trek – Venice, Italy 2026
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings – Aug. 9th

https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

Palette Knife Painting of the Piazza in Siena, Italy by Niki Gulley

August 5, 2025

7″ x 5″ textured oil painting on panel

One of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon in Siena, is to just sit in the Piazza and paint from different vantage points. Studying the architecture and experiencing the buzzing energy as residents co-mingle with tourists in the square is so fun to witness!

E-mail Niki Gulley.

NikiGulley.com

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Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Carnivalé Art Trek – Venice, Italy 2026
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings – Aug. 9th

https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

“Windows on the World” Oil Painting by Niki Gulley from Tuscany

August 4, 2025

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting on panel

Inspired by Tuscany, you can almost imagine what the view must be like when you throw open the shutters and greet the morning as the scene unfolds below you! I loved the morning light raking across the building, casting long shadows and causing the textured stone and brick to tell its detailed history. And, there’s always one piece of laundry that refuses to dry as quickly as the others on the closthesline!

If you’re interested in purchasing this painting, just follow this link nikigulley.com/windows-on-the-world/.

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

NikiGulley.com

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Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Carnivalé Art Trek – Venice, Italy 2026
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings – Aug. 9th

https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Colorful Rose Garden Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 24, 2025

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

When we checked into our B and B in Tuscany this year, we were greeted by beautiful rose gardens surrounding the property. WOW! With such a plethora of gorgeous blooms, it was really hard to narrow down what to paint. Finally I landed on these crimson beauties with a peek at the Tuscan villa in the distance. I adore the cypress trees so indicative of Tuscany so I made sure to include them in the background. I also loved how this ancient twisted vine hugged the scene, creating an organic window of the view beyond. Filled with joy and color, I hope you are transported to this serene escape.

“Ruby Blooms” is available through the Good Art Company at https://www.goodartcompany.com/product-page/abstract-impression-original-art-20×10-landscape-ruby-bloomstps://www.nikigulley.com/ruby-blooms/.

For details on more of my Tuscany or rose garden paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

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Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Carnivalé Art Trek – Venice, Italy 2026
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings – Aug. 9th

https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.