I decided it would be a fun challenge to create an extremely large painting this winter, and I wanted the final piece to be very uplifting, colorful and full of energy. Opting for warm colors and working with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives, I chose this water scene for its energetic flow and yet calming serenity at the same time, and positioned the water lilies and my paint strokes in a circular pattern to enliven that mood.
Tag: Niki Gulley paintings
Painting in Venice with Niki Gulley
Pastel 24” x 36”
On my first trip to Europe, my husband wanted to take me to Venice since it was one of his favorite cities, and I fell in love with almost everything about it. The timeless quality created by living on canals free of cars, the history in the architecture and even the cobbled walkways, the beauty of the scenery and the magical quality created by the light to name just a few of my favorite things. I love how food and meals play such an important role in Italian culture – a time to slow down and enjoy friendships while savoring the locally grown cuisine and wines over the course of the evening. In this pastel I wanted to communicate all of those joyful feelings in addition to capturing the energy and romance of the city at night. Bon Appetito!
Deadline this week for Venice Art Trek
Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
This piece was selected to exhibit at the Southwest Pastel Society’s Juried Show and will be on display at the Eisemann Center in Richardson, TX through November 2012.
Nov. 10th deadline for Greece Art Trek
Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
The view from our hotel that we’ll be staying at in May for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop is amazing! In this pastel, I wanted to capture not only the gorgeous Aegean below and the white-washed architecture with brilliant blue accents, but also I wanted to show off the unique Greek doorways that frame the beautiful landscape below.
If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Greece, join me and my husband / travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek to Athens and Santorini on May 10-18. Our unique Art Treks afford you the option to choose which aspects interest you, whether it is painting, photography, both or neither, thereby giving you an opportunity to make the most of your experience. Our trips are designed to hone your skills and expand your creativity, all while you further your artistic voice and immerse yourself in the region’s culture and lifestyle. Non-participating partners are encouraged to join us for a reduced price, and we’ll help with travel arrangements, tours, transportation, etc. while we’re painting and photographing.
“Aqua Dreams” Textured Aspen Painting by Niki Gulley
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.
Featured Artist Niki Gulley at the Good Art Company, Nov. 2nd
Painted with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives so that this canvas is loaded with texture and bursting with color, 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.
This painting, along with several more of my textured aspen and birch tree paintings are hanging at the Good Art Company in Fredericksburg, TX. Visit goodartcompany.com/gac/ for more details.
And, I will be at the gallery to talk with you on Nov. 2nd from 6pm – 8pm as one of the featured artists for Fall Gallery walk. I’d love to see you there!
Autumn Aspen Painting available as Canvas Prints by Niki Gulley
I wanted this painting to be about the power and energy in nature to invigorate your spirit more so than an exact replica of the forest, so I chose to use warm vivid colors and thick staccato strokes to add to that feeling. I placed the foliage in diagonal sweeping shapes to create a sense of movement, so that you can feel the wind gently rustling the leaves and causing them to dance.
“Painting Outside the Lines” Workshop with Niki Gulley
If you would like to paint with more freedom, color and energy in your work, join me on Nov. 2nd – 4th when I’ll be teaching a “Painting Outside the Lines” workshop sponsored by the Good Art Company in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, visit goodartcompany.com/gacart/index.php?.













