contemporary landscape painting

“Scenic Route” oil painting by Niki Gulley

December 12, 2011

Oil on canvas • 20” x 60”

My husband and I love exploring the back roads whenever we’re en route somewhere. We always discover such interesting places, and the scenery is so much more picturesque than along the highway. It’s fun to slow down and enjoy the journey with no agenda, which is what I had in mind when I painted “Scenic Route,” a beautiful fall drive through the winding hills far from the city.

If interested in purchasing this painting, e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

“Reflections in Time” – Autumn oil painting

December 10, 2011

Oil on canvas • 24” x 36”

This painting is inspired by one of my favorite spots just ten minutes from our home in Dallas. It was a perfect autumn day – about 70° with a slight breeze and the peaking autumn colors were more vibrant than usual. With such a gentle wind, the vivid foliage and gorgeous fluffy clouds were reflected fairly clearly in the water and yet at the same time, I chose to create fluid moving strokes to suggest the peaceful energy in that moment.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my fall foliage oils.

“Muted Hues” aspen tree oil painting

December 8, 2011

“Muted Hues” ©2011 Niki Gulley
36″ x 36″ oil on canvas

I paint a lot of bold fall foliage scenes from Colorado and farther north, but I wanted this aspen painting to have a more peaceful feel so I used much softer, more muted color palette to add to that mood.

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

“Deep in the Woods” – Textured aspen tree oil painting

December 5, 2011

oil on canvas • 36″ x 36″

I am absolutely crazy about aspen trees. I love their textured peeling bark, the sound of their tinkling leaves blowing in the breeze, the way the light illuminates their yellow leaves and makes them glow, and the repetition of the trunks packed so tightly together. The first time I saw them was on a trip with my family to Colorado and I fell in love with the beautiful scenery and peacefulness I found immersed in the forest and surrounded by mountains. I wanted to share my love of nature in “Deep in the Woods” so that you, too, could enjoy that calm and the beauty of the aspens.

E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information on my contemporary landscape paintings.

Plein Air Painting at White Rock Lake

November 14, 2011

5″ x 7″ textured oil painting, White Rock Lake, by Niki Gulley

Dallas Plein Air Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley
Day 2 – Afternoon Location: Sunset Bay, White Rock Lake

In the afternoon at White Rock Lake, we switched locations to find better light on our subjects. Everyone was drawn to this peaceful bay and the vibrant fall colors. Even though every painter basically sketched the same scene, it was fun seeing each artist’s individual style come thorugh. With just a short amount of time left at the end of the day, I quickly captured the lake, shoreline and autumn foliage with a palette knife and my leftover paint before starting our critique.

A perfect ending to our plein air painting workshop at the Dallas Arboretum and White Rock Lake – sharing our work from each day with new friends after a gorgeous weekend of painting outside. Thanks guys!

If you’d like more information about my upcoming workshops in the US and Europe, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13.

Or, to see more of my local Dallas and travel paintings, please stop by the Bath House Cultural Center this weekend for my last show of the year, Nov. 18th – 20th. dallasculture.org/bathhouseculturecenter/index.asp

E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Plein Air Painting at White Rock Lake

November 11, 2011

9″ x 12″ oil painting, White Rock Lake, by Niki Gulley

Dallas Plein Air Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley
Day 2 – Morning Location: White Rock Lake

On the second day of our plein-air painting workshop, we enjoyed a beautiful morning at White Rock Lake. Focusing on capturing water and the morning light, each painter picked a different vantage point, some choosing only natural subjects and others depicting sailboats on the horizon. I chose to paint these colorful boats largely for their vibrant colors and I liked how the line of the pier leads your eye back to the docked vessels. With a gentle breeze, the water had a little movement and shimmer to it that I suggested along with the vibrant foliage in this peaceful inlet. A perfect autumn morning!

Morning paintings at White Rock Lake.

If you’d like more information about my upcoming workshops in the US and Europe, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13.

Or, to see more of my local Dallas and travel paintings, please stop by the Bath House Cultural Center for my last show of the year, Nov. 18th – 20th. dallasculture.org/bathhouseculturecenter/index.asp

E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Art Treks – Paris with Niki Gulley & Scott Williams

September 23, 2011

12” x 24” textured oil on wrap around canvas

My initial study for a 48″ x 90″ triptych, but I love how this small oil turned out, too! Inspired by Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, France, I wanted to paint a contemporary rendition of his lily pond, which would be flowing with color, light, warmth and energy.

I’ll have this textured oil painting in addition to many more at the Cottonwood Art Festival, CottonwoodArtFestival.com, next weekend, Oct. 1st & 2nd from 9am – 6pm in Richardson, TX. Please stop by my booth to see them in person.

Or, if you would like to join us in May for our next ArtTrek to Paris, France, and paint Monet’s Gardens in person, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420, which goes into detail about our upcoming Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshops. Early registration deadline for a $500 savings is quickly approaching!

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

Just Sold – “Rushing Desires” textured oil painting

September 1, 2011

SOLD • 60” x 36” textured oil on canvas

Just Sold! Charging down its stone cut course, torrents of water rush through grey boulders past green and gold bracken. Headlong and unrestrained the waters crash downstream, while above they splash into the airy distance a glowing, hazy tiara of misty sunlight. Thick brushstrokes of radiant oils define the powerful landscape carrying your eye through a complex composition of dynamic diagonals cleaved with the vertical cascade, caressed with a delicate crossing of gold dusted branches. A painting of power and energy balanced by graceful strokes of beauty, I wanted “Rushing Desires” to be about texture, movement, mystery and the cathartic feeling in nature.

To see more of Niki Gulley’s textured oil paintings, visit NikiGulley.com/?page_id=33,

Or, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscapes.

Final Critique & Dinner – Santa Fe Painting & Photo Workshop

August 31, 2011

Some of our painters and their wonderful paintings from our Santa Fe Workshop.

Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop in Santa Fe, NM

with Niki Gulley & Scott Williams

Day 5, afternoon Show & Tell

After some free-time sightseeing, gallery hopping and shopping in downtown Santa Fe, we gathered later that afternoon for a final critique and to show off our work. Students get so nervous about the word critique, that I really prefer Show and Tell. Everyone gets so into their work on location that they don’t always get an opportunity to see what others are doing, so this is a great way to share what we did, offer pointers and praise! For the painters, we chose our best 3 or 4 paintings from the week, and for the photographers, Scott put together slide shows of their strongest shots. And, for a perfect ending to the week, we celebrated with a delicious New Mexican dinner at La Choza.

Some of our group celebrating a successful workshop over an authentic New Mexican dinner.

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If you’d like more information on our upcoming

Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshops, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley,

or visit my website at nikigulley.com/?page_id=13.

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To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, go to nikigulley.com/?page_id=33,

or to purchase this plein air study from Santa Fe, e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

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Day 5 – Plein Air Painting Workshop in Santa Fe

August 29, 2011

9×12 pastel by Niki Gullley

Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop in Santa Fe, NM

Day 5, location: downtown Santa Fe

On our last morning of our Santa Fe workshop, we headed back to downtown Santa Fe and settled in a quiet shady spot to paint the geometric adobe architecture of the Loretto Inn. After a week of painting everyday, everyone was loosened up and jumped right into their paintings, creating some of their best work and in a matter of a few short hours!

Some of our group enjoying the shade on the last day of our Santa Fe workshop.

Nancy Standlee, thinking outside the box, painted the Loretto with this eye-catching yellow umbrella at the café next door. Beautiful!

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If you’d like more information on our upcoming

Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshops, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley,

or visit my website at nikigulley.com/?page_id=13.

•

To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, go to nikigulley.com/?page_id=33,

or to purchase this plein air study from Santa Fe, e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

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