Niki Gulley paintings

New “Natural Textures” Palette knife painting by Niki Gulley

July 8, 2013

24″ x 24″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Bordering on the edge of abstraction and the cusp of realism, Natural Textures is loaded with layers and layers of paint, built up with thin glazes and then palette knife to create extreme dimension and depth.

Hang it alone, pair it with Natural Textures II to create a diptych,

or for a larger space, hang it with Natural Textures III to form a rhythmic triptych.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings.

“Seasons of Change, Autumn” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

July 6, 2013

30″ x 30″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

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!

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured oil paintings of aspen and birch trees.

“Seasons of Change, Summer” Textured Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

July 3, 2013

30″ x 30″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

This image looks great hung alone or with its companion piece pictured below.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured oil paintings of aspen and birch trees.

Greece Plein-Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 24, 2013

Day 5 – Greece Art Trek: Oia and Sunset Cruise

10″ x 8″ oil painting by Niki Gulley • SOLD

On day 5, we chose to paint this iconic view of Santorini with the white orthodox church crowned by its blue dome, overlooking the ocean. So the photographers dropped us off, as they continued back to Oia to shoot some more. While the scenery seemed simple, it proved challenging to paint the round dome on top of a hexagon base, and the three men removing the bells from the tower kept interrupting our scene (which we chose not to paint into the composition), but overall it was a beautiful morning and we were pretty happy with the results!

That afternoon we rode the cable cars to the port below and caught a boat cruise that ferried us across the bay and around the island at sunset. Stopping at the volcano, we hiked to the top, which was quite intriguing with its sci-fi type lava rock. Next we stopped at a hot spring for anyone who wanted to swim. And, finally we cruised around the island enjoying the view from the water, sipping some Greek wines and nibbling on some local meats and cheeses. A great end to the day!

On top of the volcano with Santorini in the background.

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Paris and Provence, France 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.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Painting and Photographing Sunset in Santorini with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 21, 2013

Day 4, Evening – Greece Art Trek: Oia, Santorini

7″ x 5″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

That evening the photographers joined us out at the lookout point to photograph sunset, so we decided to continue painting. Since we only had about 15 minutes to capture the actual sun setting, we had to sketch the scene in advance, anticipate how the light might look, and pre-mix our golden colors. Then as the sun was dropping, we quickly had to paint those warm reflected lights on the buildings and the water and the golden glow in the sky. While challenging, it was a lot of fun and such a beautiful setting to paint! Capping the evening off, we had a delicious dinner in town at the most picturesque garden restaurant and relived the highlights of the day.

Our photographers staking out their spots to shoot sunset.

Dinner that night.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Day 4, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 17, 2013

Day 4, Greece Art Trek: Oia, Santorini

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley • SOLD

On the fourth day of our Greece Art Trek, we headed to the other end of the island, to the beautiful city of Oia. The painters chose to set up our easels by the lookout point at the edge of town, with some painting the windmills and skyline to our left while I chose this sprawling view of the city on the right. With a far more complicated scene, we had to allow a full afternoon and evening to capture the view. After so much white and blue architecture, I loved how several of the buildings were painted oranges, yellows and pinks contrasting agains the stark alabaster.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionistic paintings.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Day 3, Plein-Air Painting and Photography Art Trek in Santorini, Greece

June 14, 2013

Day 3, Greece Art Trek: Santorini

12″ x 9″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the third day of our Greece Art Trek, we flew to Santorini and gawked at the amazing view from our hotel overlooking the caldera. Our painters set up their easels right there since the scenery was so beautiful, while the photographers toured through town, shooting the white washed architecture and fantastic views of the ocean below. I chose this vantage of the potted succulent set against the vivid blue water and white stucco balcony. With several clouds in the sky, everything had a nice soft light that created subtle shadows, intense colors and a cool breeze, making it such a pleasant day to paint.

Taking a little time out to enjoy the view and sample the Greek wines, which are quite tasty!

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Wells Street Art Festival in downtown Chicago this Weekend

June 8, 2013

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!

If you would like to see “Colorful Transformation” and more of my textured oil paintings in person, please stop by my booth at the Wells Street Art Fair in downtown Chicago this weekend.

Wells Street Art Fair

June 8th and 9th • 10am – 8pm

Chicago, IL • on N. Wells St.,

Booth #308 on N. Wells St.,

between Goethe and Division

chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=141

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

For more information on palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

“Dreams Revisited” New Poppy Field oil painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

June 6, 2013

36″ x 48″ textured mixed media on wrap around canvas

In this painting I wanted to create a dream-like feel using one of my favorite flowers, the poppy, so I chose to paint this landscape at dusk as the sun is starting to set over the distant hills to add to that mood. I love the wildflower masses in the foreground creating waves of color, and the curving shapes adding to the sense of tranquility.

If you would like to see my textured oil paintings in person, please stop by my booth at the Wells Street Art Fair in downtown Chicago this weekend.

Wells Street Art Fair

June 8th & 9th • 10am – 8pm

Chicago, IL • on N. Wells St.,

Booth #308 on N. Wells St.,

between Goethe & Division

chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=141

For more information on palette knife floral paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

“Aqua Dreams” New Textured oil painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

June 4, 2013

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.

If you would like to see my textured oil paintings in person, please stop by my booth at the Wells Street Art Fair in downtown Chicago this weekend.

Wells Street Art Fair

June 8th & 9th • 10am – 8pm

Chicago, IL

Booth #308 on N. Wells St.,

between Goethe and Division

chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=141

For more information on my textured palette knife birch and aspen tree oil paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.