Mountain Hideaway oil painting – SOLD

“Mountain Hideaway” ©2010 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 18″ x 48″ oil on canvas

I just sold this painting to a collector in Chicago and it’s one of my favorites. A few years back, I visited Colorado to be inspired by the aspens turning color and to see the gorgeous mountains and scenery. I love it there! My husband and I ventured off the main roads and were exploring back in ranch land where there were hardly any signs of city life. At a couple of points, we even had to wait for the ranchers to round up their cattle herds out of the middle of the roads in order for us to drive in deeper – not something we witness in Dallas!

I wanted to capture that feeling of nostalgia in “Mountain Hideaway.” I particularly liked this one ranch – their barn and wood post fence had so much character. I liked how the mountains surrounded the property and created such a beautiful backdrop. The panorama format really worked well to give you a sense of scale and the sprawling landscape. I liked how the road zigged and zagged next to the property, too, leading you back to the house. Also, it was just slightly overcast and the sun would peak out once in a while, creating this beautiful dramatic lighting that I had to capture.

Touched by Gold – New aspen painting

“Touched by Gold” ©2010 Niki Gulley
30″ x 30″ oil on canvas

Aspen trees are one of my favorite subjects to paint. I love their peeling bark and the color of the trunks in addition to the beautiful tinkling sounds the leaves make blowing in the wind. In this painting, I wanted to try something different and rather than show a whole grove of trees in the landscape, I wanted to focus in and concentrate on the wonderful texture in the trunks and the uniqueness of each knot, so you really notice the beauty of each aspen.

If you’d like more information on “Touched by Gold,” e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Ruby Woods pastel

“Ruby Woods” ©2010 Niki Gulley
pastel • 25″ X 19″
In “Ruby Woods,” I wanted you to be transported to a beautiful autumn day, completely surrounded by nature. Hiking through the forest, hearing the leaves crunching under foot and the canopy rustling above, you can be totally carefree and lost in the peaceful moment. Making short energetic strokes with my pastels and including vivid warm colors add to that joyful feeling of being immersed in nature.

New Dallas Skyline oil painting

“Golden Moment, White Rock Lake” ©2010 Niki Gulley
oil on canvas • 12″ x 24″
Just off the easel! On a peaceful autumn day last fall, I went out with my camera to White Rock Lake and captured this beautiful sunset behind the Dallas skyline. I liked how the pampas grass and various plants in the foreground were back lit by the setting sun and how the water’s surface was shimmering from the low light, adding to a sense of mystery and tranquility in that golden moment.
If you’d like information on “Golden Moment,” e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.
I will also have several pieces on display and available for sale at my Last Art Show of 2010 this weekend at the Bath House Cultural Center in Dallas. See bathhousecultural.com for details.

Last Art Show of 2010

“Skyward Bound II” ©2010 Niki Gulley • SOLD
oil on canvas • 40″ x 30″
Sold to a collector in Dallas this month – I painted these aspen trees with extremely thick paint and palette knife so that the artwork is loaded with texture and almost three-dimensional. I love the playfulness of looking up into the treetops, as did the collectors!
If you’d like information on more of my aspen tree paintings or commissioning a unique piece, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.
Also, I will have several pieces on display and available for sale at my Last Art Show of 2010 this weekend at the Bath House Cultural Center in Dallas. See bathhousecultural.com for details.

Skyward Bound oil painting

“Skyward Bound” ©2010 Niki Gulley
oil on canvas • 30″ x 40″
In “Skyward Bound,” I wanted you to feel like a little kid again looking up into the treetops, enjoying the beautiful sky and colors above. We forget to do that as adults – we’re so focused on straight ahead! Choosing vivid reds, yellows, blues and greens in addition to the perspective from below adds to that playful mood.
If you’d like more information on Skyward Bound, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

New Textured Aspen Painting by Niki Gulley

“Jeweled Forest” ©2010 Niki Gulley
oil on canvas • 30″ x 30″
In “Jeweled Forest,” I wanted you to feel like you were deep in the middle of the woods surrounding by nature in all of its beautiful autumn glory. I painted these aspen trees with extremely thick oil paint so that the texture and colors leap off the canvas. For more information on “Jeweled Forest,” e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Emergence oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Emergence” by Niki Gulley
oil on canvas • 48″ x 60″
SOLD

I painted these birch trees with extremely thick oil paint and palette knife, resulting in a painting that is filled with texture and explodes with color!

Artists of Texas – Opening Reception Saturday

“Autumn Aspens” ©2010 Niki Gulley
12″ x 12″ oil on canvas
I painted these autumn aspen trees with palette knife and extremely thick paint. I love how the chunky paint adds to the texture of the bark and the movement in the leaves, and how the painting continues around the edges of the wrap around canvas for a sculptural-like frameless piece of art.
To see “Autumn Aspens” and more of my aspen series, stop by the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas this Saturday for the “Artists of Texas” reception from 1-5. Myself and many of the other talented artists will be there to answer any questions and tell you about our work.
Where Texas Finds Its Color
The Artists of Texas – Second Annual State Show
Artist Reception November 6th, 1:00-5:00 pm
November 2 – December 31, 2010
The Dutch Art Gallery
10233 East Northwest Highway Suite 420
Dallas, Texas 75238

Painting Tuscany with Niki Gulley

“Crimson Waves” © 2010 Niki Gulley
Oil on canvas • 18” x 48”

Yesterday we painted the beautiful rolling hills that make Tuscany so picturesque, after a leisurely morning of hill town touring and wine sampling. Being in Tuscany right at harvest time makes the grapes taste even better! It was a perfect 78 degrees and so peaceful in this perfect spot where we set up our easels. I find the cypress trees really fascinating and unique, creating such a striking contrast to the otherwise flat surroundings. A very inspirational day!


Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop
Tuscany, Italy – September 2010 & 2011
Athens & Santorini, Greece – May 2011
Led by Niki Gulley & Scott Williams
Our trip to Tuscany for this year is full, but please join us next September in Tuscany or May 2011 in Greece.
Visit nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=13 for more details.
E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com