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.
Tag: contemporary landscape painting
New Whimsical Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley
New Colorado Landscape Palette Knife oil painting by Niki Gulley
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!
“Curves Ahead” New Textured Palette Knife oil painting by Niki Gulley
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.
New Sunflower Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley at the Ann Arbor Art Fair
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.
New Textured Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley
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.
Abstracted Aspen Tree Paintings by Niki Gulley
New “Natural Textures” Palette knife painting by Niki Gulley
“Seasons of Change, Autumn” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley
“Seasons of Change, Summer” Textured Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley
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!












