Just Sold! I wanted this painting to be about the power and energy in nature to invigorate your spirit, so I chose to use warm vivid colors contrasted against cool underbrush while utilizing thick staccato strokes to add to that feeling. I placed the fall foliage in curving sweeping shapes to create a sense of movement, so that you can feel the wind gently rustling the leaves and causing them to dance on a beautiful fall day.
Tag: fall foliage
“Golden Tangle” Fall Foliage Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley
“Golden Tangle” ©2017 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil on canvas
“Autumn Serenade II” by Niki Gulley Wins First Place at Milan Gallery’s Discovery Show
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.
I’m excited that “Autumn Serenade II” has been juried into Milan Gallery’s Discovery Show and received first place from the jurors! With that award, comes 6 months of representation at the gallery. If you’re in the Fort Worth area, I hope you can check out my latest paintings at the gallery.
“Dappled Light” at Turtle Creek by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley
Just Sold! Early on a spring morning the sun breaks softly, dreamlike, through leafy branches and casts early autumn’s golden palette across the creek. Silent water is ruffled by a gentle breeze. Arching over, bending into the quiet waters, a tree is mirrored encompassing, embracing –this painting captures the dreamy reflections and tranquil landscape of one of my favorite spots to paint near my home. It is painted in the traditional plein air oil manner, incorporating some heavy texture.
New “Sky High” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley
New “A Spot in the Woods” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley
Just Sold! This summer we visited Colorado to escape our Texas heat and soak in the natural beauty of the mountains. We stayed at this peaceful, tucked away b and b surrounded by a massive aspen grove. I wanted to capture the texture of the trees’ knotted bark and also the peaceful feeling of being immersed in nature. Arching the trunks around the focal point, creates a feeling of protection and also helps frame the subject. Their old red barn sets in the distance, creating contrast against the cool greens and greys surrounding it and addintg an exciting pop of color.
New Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley
“Intertwining Beauty” ©2016 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 36″ x 60″ textured oil on canvas
Just Sold! Intertwining Beauty was inspired by a recent trip to the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The aspen forest was so dense and beautiful. I loved the pops of vibrant fall colors peeking through the tall, tangled, web of white knobby trunks. Ruby reds grab your attention while staccato strokes of emerald, amethyst and topaz lead your eye around the canvas. I hope you can feel the energy found in nature and its power to invigorate your spirit.
I painted these aspen trees with extremely thick paint and palette knife. The resulting canvas is loaded with texture, color and energy! I’ve painted it on 1 and 1/2 inch deep stretcher bars, with the image continuing around the edges so that it can be hung as is frameless for a contemporary look.
New “Life’s Journey” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley
Follow the deep wood’s path and wander under a canopy of sheltering leaves, light shifts through each branch and twig. Long, late rays of sunlight pierce the dreaming autumn forest, as you enter shadows dapple your journey. You are walking down a loamy path, filled with color-drenched leaves that invite you into the purple shadows where you may seek your dreams. This oil painting of a tranquil wood’s trail inspires your journey and your dreams with lush colors and rich images of beauty ahead.
New “October Transitions II” – Aspen Tree oil painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley
36″ x 36″ oil on canvas
I love painting aspen trees and I usually work with a more primary color palette, but in this painting, I wanted to convey a quieter, more peaceful mood. Opting for calming grey greens, soft golds and reds with hints of teal, Harmonic Hues reminds me of the serenity I feel while walking through the forest on a cool autumn day, being totally immersed in nature, not a care in the world. I hope you are transported, too!
For more information on “October Transitions II”, please contact my gallery, the Good Art Company Gallery, in Fredericksburg, goodartcompany.com/gac/.
New “Along the Shoreline” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley
Early on a fall morning the sun breaks softly through leafy branches and casts early autumn’s palette across the creek. Silent water is ruffled by a gentle breeze. Arching over, bending into the quiet waters, a tree arches into the scene – encompassing, embracing. This painting captures the dreamy reflections and tranquil landscape of one of my favorite spots to paint on location near my home. It is painted in the traditional plein air oil manner, incorporating some heavy texture with palette knife.









