“Textures of Time” New Palette Knife oil painting

“Textures of Time” ©2013 Niki Gulley
18″ x 24” textured oil painting

In my next painting from this barn series, I wanted to show the personality and individuality of this red barn, since it was built by hand from nearby trees on the property by the owner’s family. I almost feel like it has a playful twinkle in its windows, inviting us to come closer and check out it’s hand-carved timbers and discover what stories it holds. Juxtaposed behind this sturdy oak, two enduring souls, are loaded with character, texture and rustic beauty, monuments to a simpler disappearing way of life.

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

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

New Whimsical Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Soaring on a Dream,” ©2013 Niki Gulley

18″ x 24″ textured oil painting


I wanted this painting to be full of joy and energy, reminiscent of a simpler time. Working with palette knife, I moved thick oil paint around in long sweeping circular strokes to add to that feeling of movement and excitment, while choosing vivid primary colors to communicate a time of youth, innocence and freedom.

 

New Colorado Landscape Palette Knife oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Falling Rocks” ©2013 Niki Gulley
20″ x 24” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

This painting is inspired from my first trip to Colorado. I loved the majestic mountains, the meandering creeks and rushing rivers, the lush terrain and the quaking aspen trees. The ride through the mountains was thrilling, as we straddled cliff sides, our tires gripped the road through spine-tingling hairpin turns, we raced through cavernous tunnels carved through the dense rock, and jagged mountains hugged us like there was no tomorrow. And, as if the journey wasn’t exciting enough, we were reminded of the  adventure that lay ahead with a new falling rocks sign every few bends!

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

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

“Curves Ahead” New Textured Palette Knife oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Curves Ahead” ©2013 Niki Gulley
30″ x 40” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

On this trip, it felt like we were flying up and down these curvy mountain roads almost like we were on an adult roller coaster. So I wanted to have a little fun in my painting and capture that sense of movement and playful excitement. Choosing bright vivid colors an curving my strokes almost in a fish-eye composition, add to the youthful energy and thrill of adventure that I wanted to communicate.

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

New Sunflower Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley at the Ann Arbor Art Fair

“Sunny Disposition II” ©2013 Niki Gulley
30″ x 48″ • textured oil on cavan
Inspired by our trip to Provence last summer, I was awestruck by these massive fields of sunflowers blooming. Seeing this brilliant carpet of gold, with its sea of faces smiling towards the sun, just made me feel happy and I wanted you to experience that joy, too. In person “Sunny Disposition II” practically leaps off the canvas with its vibrant yellow petals and extremely thick three-dimensional oil paint.

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Paris June 19-27 and Provence, France June 26-July 4, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing during lavender and sunflower season in France, and following in the footsteps of Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne, please join us for this amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

If you would like to see “Sunny Disposition II” and more of my textured oil paintings in person, please stop by my booth at the State Street Art Fair in Ann Arbor, MI this Wednesday through Saturday.
State Street Art Fair
Wed. July 17 • 10am – 9pm
Thurs. July 18 • 10am – 9pm
Fri. July 19 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 20 • 10am – 6pm
Ann Arbor, MI
Booth #B211 on N. University between Thayer and State St.
E-mail – Niki Gulley

 

New Textured Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

“October Blaze” ©2013 Niki Gulley
36″ x 48″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
With “October Blaze,” I wanted to focus on brilliant color and simple shapes to see if I could communicate the excitement I feel when surrounded by nature. Using energetic diagonal strokes and thick, textured paint, I hope you get a sense of the motion in the leaves and the power of nature to invigorate your spirit. I just love how this piece captured that essence!

If you would like to see “October Blaze” and more of my textured oil paintings in person, please stop by my booth at the State Street Art Fair in Ann Arbor, MI this Wednesday through Saturday.

State Street Art Fair
Wed. July 17 • 10am – 9pm
Thurs. July 18 • 10am – 9pm
Fri. July 19 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 20 • 10am – 6pm
Ann Arbor, MI
Booth #B211 on N. University between Thayer and State St.
For more information on palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Abstracted Aspen Tree Paintings by Niki Gulley

“Natural Textures II” ©2013 Niki Gulley
24″ x 24″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
Bordering on the edge of abstraction and the cusp of realism, Natural Textures is loaded with layers and layers of paint, built up with thin glazes and then palette knife to create extreme dimension and depth.
 Hang it alone, pair it with Natural Textures II to create a diptych,
or for a larger space, hang it with Natural Textures III to form a rhythmic triptych.
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings.

New “Natural Textures” Palette knife painting by Niki Gulley

“Natural Textures” ©2013 Niki Gulley
24″ x 24″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
Bordering on the edge of abstraction and the cusp of realism, Natural Textures is loaded with layers and layers of paint, built up with thin glazes and then palette knife to create extreme dimension and depth.
 Hang it alone, pair it with Natural Textures II to create a diptych,
or for a larger space, hang it with Natural Textures III to form a rhythmic triptych.
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings.

“Seasons of Change, Autumn” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

“Seasons of Change, Autumn” ©2013 Niki Gulley
30″ x 30″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
With “Seasons of Change,” I wanted to focus on brilliant color and simple shapes to see if I could communicate the excitement I feel when surrounded by nature. Using energetic diagonal strokes and thick, textured paint, I hope you get a sense of the motion in the leaves and the power of nature to invigorate your spirit. I just love how this piece captured that essence!
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured oil paintings of aspen and birch trees.

“Seasons of Change, Summer” Textured Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

“Seasons of Change, Summer” ©2013 Niki Gulley
30″ x 30″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

With “Seasons of Change,” I wanted to focus on brilliant color and simple shapes to see if I could communicate the excitement I feel when surrounded by nature. Using energetic diagonal strokes and thick, textured paint, I hope you get a sense of the motion in the leaves and the power of nature to invigorate your spirit. I just love how this piece captured that essence!

This image looks great hung alone or with its companion piece pictured below.
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured oil paintings of aspen and birch trees.