Tag: contemporary landscape painting

Transcending Luminosity by Niki Gulley now available in Canvas Prints

November 19, 2012
“Transcending Luminosity” ©2012 Niki Gulley

I decided it would be a fun challenge to create an extremely large painting this winter, and I wanted the final piece to be very uplifting, colorful and full of energy. Opting for warm colors and working with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives, I chose this water scene for its energetic flow and yet calming serenity at the same time, and positioned the water lilies and my paint strokes in a circular pattern to enliven that mood.

Now available in canvas prints. 
I have added thick paint to the prints so they are loaded with texture. 
They are UV coated and are stretched with the painting continuing around the edges on 3/4″ stretcher bars so that they can be hung as is without a frame, or if you prefer a traditional look, they can be framed also. 
20″ x 30″ for $295 • 28″ x 40″ for $495
A close up detail of the lily pads where thick paint has been added.

Print wrapped around 3/4″ stretcher bars.
E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com with questions or to order.

“Aqua Dreams” Textured Aspen Painting by Niki Gulley

November 5, 2012

“Aqua Dreams” ©2012 Niki Gulley
36” x 60” textured oil on canvas

When we arrived at this tranquil spot, the early morning light was very cool in color, but as the sun began to rise from the horizon, it shone this beautiful warm light that shimmered on the water’s surface and cast its hope of what was to come from the brand new day. I remember the peacefulness I felt in that moment, and a sense that anything was possible. In Aqua Dreams, by showing the contrast in the cool aqua/blues in the foreground waters against the warm golden glow on the distant pond’s edge, I wanted to share that feeling of hope and promise communicated by nature.

This painting is available at American Fine Art Gallery in Dallas. See americanfineart.com for details.

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.
E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

 

Featured Artist Niki Gulley at the Good Art Company, Nov. 2nd

October 29, 2012
“Autumn Carnival” ©2012 Niki Gulley
36″ x 48″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Painted with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives so that this canvas is loaded with texture and bursting with color, flickering autumn leaves seem to almost dance in a gentle breeze. I wanted this scene to be filled with movement and energy, so I incorporated a lot of diagonal and curving shapes in the design to suggest that feeling. Contrasting short staccato strokes against blended passages with my palette knives, also increase that sense of motion. I hope you, too, can feel the excitement of walking through the woods on a beautiful fall day, letting your cares slip away and your spirit being invigorated.

If you would like to paint with more freedom, color and energy in your work, join me on Nov. 2nd – 4th when I’ll be teaching a “Painting Outside the Lines” workshop sponsored by the Good Art Company in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, visit goodartcompany.com/gacart/index.php?.

This painting, along with several more of my textured aspen and birch tree paintings are hanging at the Good Art Company in Fredericksburg, TX. Visit goodartcompany.com/gac/ for more details.

And, I will be at the gallery to talk with you on Nov. 2nd from 6pm – 8pm as one of the featured artists for Fall Gallery walk. I’d love to see you there!

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If you’d like more information about my upcoming workshops in the US and Europe, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

Discount Registration Deadline for February’s Venice Art Trek

October 6, 2012
“La Foce” Tuscany ©2012 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 5″ x 7″ textured oil painting

Day 4, afternoon location, La Foce – Tuscany Art Trek
That afternoon, we were planning on painting this unique winding road dotted with cypress trees, but it started drizzling. So we decided to tour the gardens next door instead. Extremely formal and organized with clipped boxwoods and plantings in symmetrical stone urns, impressive travertine column staircases, and the largest indoor potted citrus grove in the area, it was interesting to see the contrast between an Italian garden and an American garden, and the challenges of getting irrigation to the remote property. That evening we hung out at the villa again, enjoying the beautiful views and sunset while sampling some delicious authentic Italian pizza. A perfect end to the day!
If you’d like to see my paintings from Tuscany and more of my contemporary landscape paintings, please stop by my booth at the Cottonwood Art Festival this weekend, Oct. 6th and 7th, from 10am – 6pm. Visit cottonwoodartfestival.com for details.
Enjoying the dramatic views from our villa over a leisurely dinner that evening.
If you’d like to join us for next year’s Art Trek to Venice in February, Greece in May, Tuscany in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como in September, please visit NikiGulley.com/Artreks for more information. Workshops fill up quickly, so please let us know if you are interested. The early deadline and to receive a $500 savings for the Venice workshop is today!

If you have questions about the Art Treks workshops or are interested in purchasing any of my plein air paintings, please e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.
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US Classes and Workshops – nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Travel Art Treks and Plein Air Workshops – nikigulley.com/artreks/
Available Paintings – NikiGulley.com

Day 2, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley

September 26, 2012
12×9 oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 2, Montepulciano – Tuscany Art Trek

We woke up the next morning to beautiful blue skies with gorgeous puffy white clouds. We set up our easels at this amazing overlook in Montepulciano, with the whole valley spreading out before us. With so much to choose from for our subject, we decided to focus in on the church below. Our light was constantly changing from the beautiful clouds above so we had to paint quickly, and consequently each of our reactions to the scene came out differently on our canvases. I loved the variety in each artist’s work!

Pat Lautner and Sheri Jones painting at the gorgeous Montepulciano overloook.

If you’d like to join us for next year’s Art Trek to Venice in February, Greece in May, Tuscany in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como in September, please visit NikiGulley.com/Artreks for more information. Workshops fill up quickly, so please let us know if you are interested. The early deadline and to receive a $500 savings for the Venice workshop is less than a month away.



If you have questions about the Art Treks workshops or are interested in purchasing any of my plein air paintings, please e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

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US Classes and Workshops – nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Travel Art Treks and Plein Air Workshops – nikigulley.com/artreks/
Available Paintings – NikiGulley.com

Plein Air Painting in Tuscany with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

September 24, 2012
9×12 textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 1, afternoon location – Tuscany Art Trek

That afternoon it started to drizzle, so we picked a location that was covered where we could still paint and photograph. With the sky fairly overcast and the hues rather dull that afternoon, we used the cypress as our subject, but had fun playing with color. I think the results were even better than had it been a sunny day! Everyone’s paintings turned out beautiful, and that evening we treated ourselves to a fabulous tuscan dinner of pastas, pecorinos, meats and a little vino to treat ourselves. A great end to a fun filled day!

One of our photographers getting into the shot!

An amazing dinner with new friends.
If you’d like to join us for next year’s Art Trek to Venice in February, Greece in May, Tuscany in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como in September, please visit NikiGulley.com/Artreks for more information. Workshops fill up quickly, so please let us know if you are interested. The early deadline and to receive a $500 savings for the Venice workshop is less than a month away.



If you have questions about the Art Treks workshops or are interested in purchasing any of my plein air paintings, please e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

***




US Classes and Workshops – nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Travel Art Treks and Plein Air Workshops – nikigulley.com/artreks/
Available Paintings – NikiGulley.com

New Painting Workshop, “Coloring Outside the Lines” with Niki Gulley

September 17, 2012
“Colorful Transformation” ©2012 Niki Gulley
36″ x 48″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

With “Colorful Transformation,” 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!

I’m excited to announce that I will be teaching a 3 day workshop, “Coloring Outside the Lines” at my gallery in Fredericksburg, TX Nov. 2-4. So if you would like to learn how to paint with more freedom and color, please join me for this fun-filled workshop!
“Coloring Outside the Lines”
Painting workshop with Niki Gulley
9am to 4 pm daily • Nov. 2, 3, 4
The Good Art Company • Fredericksburg, TX
Registration Deadline • Oct. 16th
Contact niki@nikigulley.com for more details on her workshops 
or for more information on her birch painting, “Colorful Transformation.”

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US Classes and Workshops – nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Travel Art Treks and Plein Air Workshops – nikigulley.com/artreks/
Available Paintings – NikiGulley.com

New “Plein Air Painting Landscapes” Class sponsored by the Dallas Arboretum

September 14, 2012
“Golden Moment” ©2012 Niki Gulley
12″ x 24″ pastel
I painted this pastel at the Dallas Arboretum last fall to capture the gorgeous fall colors, and the mysterious long shadows cast by the sun as it was nearing sunset. I loved the vivid reds and oranges of the foliage, and the way the sun was causing those colors to glow along with the highlights on the path.
If you ‘d like to learn how to paint on location, or just improve your skills, please join me at the Dallas Arboretum for my upcoming Plein Air Painting class on Oct. 24th. To register, go to dallasarboretum.org/AdultEducation/CreativeArts.htm.
Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.For new classes and workshops in Texas this fall, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Day 2, Santa Fe Art Trek with Niki Gulley

August 24, 2012
SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  
Day 2, morning location – downtown Santa Fe
9″ x 12″ textured oil by Niki Gulley

On day 2 of our Santa Fe Art Trek, we visited this peaceful little street where each home is postcard perfect. Between the unique adobe architecture, the dramatic morning light, and the beautiful plantings surrounding each home, it was hard to choose what to paint! Each student found something different that excited them, and I became fascinated with this window and rain spout, and the deep shadows they were casting. I also loved the glowing Russian sage against the golden terra cotta wall and the beautiful plum tree in the distance.
Above: Painting in Santa Fe.
Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Santa Fe Plein Air Painting Workshop

August 22, 2012
SANTA FE ART TREK:  
Day 1, afternoon location – Echo Canyon
12″ x 9″ textured oil by Niki Gulley

That afternoon, we headed north to Echo Canyon, a natural stone amphitheater with beautiful rugged surroundings. After painting the entire landscape in the morning, we decided to focus in on a vignette in the afternoon and isolate our focal point. Some of my students chose trees, others rocks, and I picked this lone, persistent conifer growing out the top of the sandstone formation. I liked the dramatic shadows, the texture in the rocks, and the strong will of this one scraggly pine tree. The sky was amazing with dynamic clouds sweeping into our view from distant showers, and I had to capture some of that movement and energy in this scene, too. Luckily the storms stayed away and we had a lovely afternoon!
Above: Niki Gulley helping one of her students with her pastels.
Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

See NikiGulley.com to see more of her contemporary landscape paintings.