Niki Gulley paintings

“Orchestrating Radiance” New Water Lily triptych oil painting

February 15, 2013

Three 48″ x 30″ canvases to form a 48″ x 90″ triptych

Textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

I wanted this large-scale painting to be very uplifting, colorful and full of energy. Opting for warm colors and working with extremely thick paint and palette knives, I chose this lily pond reference from our visit to Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, France. The grounds were breathtaking and I could actually see his paintings come to life. I was drawn to the energetic flow and yet calming serenity in this view, and I positioned the shoreline, shadows and reflections in a curving pattern to add to that mood. Dripping willow leaves frame the foreground as water lilies skim the pond’s surface. The morning light peeking through the distant foliage added to a sense of mystery and promise that I wanted to capture in paint, and share with you that feeling of hope.

To see more of Niki Gulley’s contemporary landscape paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

“Aspen Vista Trail, Summer” Textured oil painting

February 13, 2013

16″ x 20” textured oil painting on canvas

On our Santa Fe Art Trek last year, the temperature started rising in the afternoon, so we headed up into the mountains for cooler breezes to paint the beautiful aspen trees. We were attracted to the brilliant white trunks with their unique peeling bark and dark protruding knots. I liked how the soft dappled light came through the trees and illuminated the path, leading into the distance. Becoming totally lost in the moment, I set out to capture the peacefulness and contentment of being immersed in nature.

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

Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

“Road to Abiquiu” New Palette Knife Painting

February 11, 2013

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

The first time we went to Santa Fe and headed north to Ghost Ranch, I was awestruck by the incredible scenery. The terrain starts to change as you near Abiquiu with the rock formations becoming more colorful, jagged and varied, and the light seemed to become purer, too. In order to capture the sense of the vast open landscape and magnificent skies found here, I chose a panorama format for this painting. I not only wanted to capture the rugged beauty of New Mexico, but also the excitement of discovery and the anticipation of what’s to come.

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

Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

“Sunny Disposition” New Sunflower palette knife painting

February 8, 2013

30″ x 48” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Festive, sun-filled blossoms dance in the gentle breeze, filling the field with sweet fragrance. This textured oil painting captures a carefree summer morning with sunflowers overflowing the foreground, filling up the field with joy under the sunny skies above.

If you’d like to join us in Provence, France (in June/July 2014) as part of our Plein-Air Painting / Photography Art Treks Workshops, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks to find out more about our upcoming trips.

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For more information on my textured sunflower and poppy field oil paintings, e-mail niki@nikigulley or go to NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

“Reclining Thoughts” New Textured Aspen oil painting

February 6, 2013

48″ x 36” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

In this painting, I wanted you to you to experience the wonderment of looking up into the treetops – just like you did when you were a kid. Lying on the ground, not a care in the world, you gaze in wonderment as the clouds drift by. Choosing playful colors and thick chunky staccato strokes add to that childlike whimsy and I hope you are transported back to a happy, carefree time and place.

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

Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

“Destination Unknown” New Palette Knife Aspen painting

February 4, 2013

36″ x 48” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

On one of our plein air painting trips we led, we happened upon this gorgeous aspen grove. Enjoying the melodic tinkling of the aspen leaves rustling in the breeze, the trickling sounds of the babbling brook at our backs, and the beauty of fall ablaze with color, I felt invigorated as I began painting. The setting was so peaceful and rejuvenating that I wanted to communicate that joyful feeling of discovery in this piece. Filling the canvas with energetic staccato strokes and bold colors, in addition to gently arching the tree trunks towards the sky add to that uplifting feeling. And then just a sliver of the trail cutting through the forest, suggests the excitement of the journey that is to come.

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

Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

“Ascension Sunset” Hawaiian Palette Knife Painting

February 1, 2013

60″ x 36” textured oil on wrap around canvas

Lush. Exotic. Beauty Untamed.

Rugged and Wild. Rich and Velvety. Welcoming and Mystical.

Warm and Radiant.

Escaping the high-traffic tourist areas, we found Hawaii truly enchanting. While these steps really existed, I incorporated them into my painting because of what they could represent, beckoning you on a personal journey of discovery and hope.

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

Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

Just Sold Autumn Birches oil painting

January 30, 2013

36” x 48” textured oil on wrap around canvas • Sold

Just sold! Shimmering colors of autumn: Aspen trees quiver, their light graceful leaves tremble and quake, silver and gold, silver and gold with each light breeze.

There is the quiet energy of change coming and vibrant color charges the woods. Crisp fall mountain air, clean bright skies overhead, a band of slender straight trucks cut bright strokes of white against a dazzling tumble of green, crimson and gold.

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

See NikiGulley.com for more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

“Symphony of Colors” New Textured Aspen Tree oil painting

January 28, 2013

36″ x 60″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Shimmering colors of autumn: Aspen and Oak trees quiver, their light graceful leaves tremble and quake, silver and gold, scarlet and tangerine, with each light breeze. There is the quiet energy of change coming and vibrant color charges the woods. Crisp fall mountain air, a band of slender straight trunks cut bright strokes of white against a dazzling tumble of amber and crimson. Staccato strokes and shimmering hues add to the feeling of change in the air and suggest the wind whistling through the foliage.

To see more of Niki Gulley’s textured landscape paintings, please check out American Fine Art Gallery in Dallas, americanfineart.com, or the Good Art Company in Fredericksburg, TX, goodartcompany.com/gac/.

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

NikiGulley.com

“Falling Rocks” Textured Colorado oil painting

January 23, 2013

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

This painting is inspired from my first trip to Colorado. I loved the majestic mountains, the meandering creeks and rushing rivers, the lush terrain and the quaking aspen trees. The ride through the mountains was thrilling, as we straddled cliff sides, our tires gripped the road through spine-tingling hairpin turns, we raced through cavernous tunnels carved through the dense rock, and jagged mountains hugged us like there was no tomorrow. And, as if the journey wasn’t exciting enough, we were reminded of the adventure that lay ahead with a new falling rocks sign every few bends!

For more information on my textured palette knife oil paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

Or, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.