Tag: Niki Gulley paintings

Plein Air Painting Class at the Arboretum with Niki Gulley

October 22, 2012
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“Autumn Clematis” ©2012 Niki Gulley

10″ x 12″ textured oil painting 


I created this little painting of the purple Clematis at the Dallas Arboretum last fall with palette knife and thick oil paint. It was so peaceful in the Poetry Garden, that it seemed like a perfect place to set up my easel. I liked the contrast of the cool purple in the flowers against the warm light of the textured wall behind them. Accentuating the circular design they were forming along with forming curving paint strokes, adds to a feeling of movement and energy, almost as if the petals are dancing in the breeze.

If you, too, would like to paint outdoors, join me this Wednesday, Oct. 24th, when I’ll be teaching a Plein Air Painting Workshop sponsored by the Dallas Arboretum. It will be a great introduction to painting outdoors for beginning artists, as well as an opportunity for advanced artists to enhance their skills. For more information, visit dallasarboretum.org/AdultEducation/index.htm.

If you’d like more information about my upcoming workshops in the US and Europe, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

“Kaleidoscope of Dreams” by Niki Gulley

October 20, 2012
“Kaleidoscope of Dreams” ©2012 by Niki Gulley
Four 36″ x 36″ canvases to form a 72″ x 72″ quadriptych • original textured oil painting
or
Enhanced Canvas Prints – four 20″ x 20″ canvases to form a 40″ x 40″ quadriptych

In this painting, I wanted you to feel like a little kid again – laying on the ground and staring up into the treetops without a care in the world. I hope you experience the joy of being surrounded by nature and the beauty in this autumn kaleidoscope of colors.

I have received so many requests that I am now offering canvas prints of “Kaleidoscope of Dreams.” Four 20″ x 20″ canvases are stretched on 3/4 inch stretcher bars with the image continuing around the edges to form a 40″ x 40″ quadriptych that does not need to be framed, just like the original . I have also added thick paint in some of the leaves and trunks to add even more texture and making each print one of a kind. Finally, I have coated the canvases with a UV varnish to protect the paintings. The canvases can be hung right up next to each other or spread apart by a few inches to come out to a maximum of 45″ x 45″, for only $895. I can also make other sizes or stretch Kaleidoscope of Dreams on deep 1 and 1/2 inch stretcher bars for an additional fee. Please contact me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information or to order “Kaleidoscope of Dreams.”

Close up detail of the canvas prints with thick paint added to some of the leaves and trunks.

One of the canvases in the set of four showing the painting wrapping around the edges so that it can be hung as is without a frame.


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



E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

“Painting Outside the Lines” Workshop with Niki Gulley

October 18, 2012

“Soaring on a Dream,” ©2012 Niki Gulley

18″ x 24″ textured oil painting 

I wanted this painting to be full of joy and energy, reminiscent of a simpler time. Working with palette knife, I moved thick oil paint around in long sweeping circular strokes to add to that feeling of movement and excitment, while choosing vivid primary colors to communicate a time of youth, innocence and freedom.

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?.

If you’d like more information about my upcoming workshops in the US and Europe, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

Deadline for Niki Gulley’s “Coloring Outside the Lines” Workshop

October 14, 2012
“Room with a View,” Tuscany ©2012 Niki Gulley
10″ x 30″ textured oil painting of our villa in Tuscany

Last night – Tuscany Art Trek

On the last evening of our Tuscany Art Trek, we gathered for show and tell (which everyone prefers calling it over a critique) with some wine and treats that we’d picked out throughout the week. It was so much fun seeing the spiral “stairway of art” grow each day as my student’s added their completed paintings to the display, and amazing to watch the progression in each’s work as they got more confident with their paint and letting their individual voices out. Scott assembled a slide show for each of the photography student’s top shots, and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to see Tuscany through each photographer’s unique perspective. It’s always fascinating to me how two artists (or in this case 9) can stand in the same place, and capture something completely different. 
We ended the night with one last delicious Italian meal, complete with truffles, bruschetta, homemade pastas and vin santo for dessert, enjoying the company of new friends. A perfect end to the trip!
My student’s paintings from the week on the spiral stairway of art.

If you’d like to join us for next year’s Art Trek to Venice in February, Greece in May, Tuscany in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como in September, please visit NikiGulley.com/Artreks for more information. Workshops fill up quickly, so please let us know if you are interested. Registration deadlines for some of the trips are less than a month away!

If you’d like to learn how to paint with more color and freedom, please join me for my upcoming workshop, “Coloring Outside the Lines,” in Fredericksburg, TX, Nov. 2-4. Registration deadline is Oct. 15th. For details, visit nikigulley.com/art-classes.


If you have questions about the Art Treks workshops or are interested in purchasing any of my plein air paintings, please e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Deadline approaching for “Coloring Outside the Lines” Workshop

October 11, 2012
“Morning Textures II” Tuscany ©2012 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9″ oil

Day 6, morning location – Tuscany Art Trek
On the last morning of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop, we headed into the nearby town and set up our easels to capture the beautiful morning light illuminating every crack and textured surface of the Renaissance architecture. The only tricky part was trying to find a location where we were out of the way of traffic, because no matter how narrow and quiet a street may seem, tiny Italian cars will eventually buzz by you. Once establishing our drawing and focal point, we had to paint quickly to capture the changing light and be out of the nearby trattorias way as they were gearing up for the noon rush. I loved how everyone’s paintings turned out! the resulting paintings were full of spontaneity and energy as we had no time to fuss or overwork our paintings, and merely reacted instinctively to the scene.
If you’d like to join us for next year’s Art Trek to Venice in February, Greece in May, Tuscany in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como in September, please visit NikiGulley.com/Artreks for more information. Workshops fill up quickly, so please let us know if you are interested. Registration deadlines for some of the trips are less than a month away!

If you’d like to learn how to paint with more color and freedom, please join me for my upcoming workshop, “Coloring Outside the Lines,” in Fredericksburg, TX, Nov. 2-4. Registration deadline is Oct. 15th. For details, visit nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Niki Gulley helping one of her students with her painting on the last day of our Tuscany Art Trek.



If you have questions about the Art Treks workshops or are interested in purchasing any of my plein air paintings, please e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Florence, Day 5 Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

October 9, 2012
“Evening Stroll,” Florence ©2012 Niki Gulley
25″ x 19″ pastel

Day 5, Florence – Tuscany Art Trek
After a leisurely day near our villa, we picked up the pace the next day and ventured into the bustling city of Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. Highlights from the day include gazing at Michelangelo’s David, visiting the Uffizi Gallery with all of its famous Renaissance paintings, marveling at the marble Duomo and baptistry, wandering the streets in search of leather goods and momentos, and dining al Fresco to cap off the day.
If you’d like to join us for next year’s Art Trek to Venice in February, Greece in May, Tuscany in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como in September, please visit NikiGulley.com/Artreks for more information. Workshops fill up quickly, so please let us know if you are interested. Registration deadlines for some of the trips are less than a month away!
Our Tuscany group overlooking the city of Florence.

If you’d like to learn how to paint with more color and freedom, please join me for my upcoming workshop, “Coloring Outside the Lines,” in Fredericksburg, TX, Nov. 2-4. Registration deadline is Oct. 15th. For details, visit nikigulley.com/art-classes.



If you have questions about the Art Treks workshops or are interested in purchasing any of my plein air paintings, please e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Discount Registration Deadline for February’s Venice Art Trek

October 6, 2012
“La Foce” Tuscany ©2012 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 5″ x 7″ textured oil painting

Day 4, afternoon location, La Foce – Tuscany Art Trek
That afternoon, we were planning on painting this unique winding road dotted with cypress trees, but it started drizzling. So we decided to tour the gardens next door instead. Extremely formal and organized with clipped boxwoods and plantings in symmetrical stone urns, impressive travertine column staircases, and the largest indoor potted citrus grove in the area, it was interesting to see the contrast between an Italian garden and an American garden, and the challenges of getting irrigation to the remote property. That evening we hung out at the villa again, enjoying the beautiful views and sunset while sampling some delicious authentic Italian pizza. A perfect end to the day!
If you’d like to see my paintings from Tuscany and more of my contemporary landscape paintings, please stop by my booth at the Cottonwood Art Festival this weekend, Oct. 6th and 7th, from 10am – 6pm. Visit cottonwoodartfestival.com for details.
Enjoying the dramatic views from our villa over a leisurely dinner that evening.
If you’d like to join us for next year’s Art Trek to Venice in February, Greece in May, Tuscany in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como in September, please visit NikiGulley.com/Artreks for more information. Workshops fill up quickly, so please let us know if you are interested. The early deadline and to receive a $500 savings for the Venice workshop is today!

If you have questions about the Art Treks workshops or are interested in purchasing any of my plein air paintings, please e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.
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US Classes and Workshops – nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Travel Art Treks and Plein Air Workshops – nikigulley.com/artreks/
Available Paintings – NikiGulley.com

Niki Gulley at Cottonwood Art Festival this Weekend

October 5, 2012
“Lemon Tree” Tuscany ©2012 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9″ textured oil painting

Day 4 – Tuscany Art Trek
On Day 4 of our Tuscany painting and photography workshop, we decide to take it easy after a busy day in Siena the day before and paint again at the villa. It was a gorgeous morning with bright puffy clouds and soft golden sunlight hitting the back of our villa. So while we set up our easels just a few feet away from one another, each painter picked a different subject. From the highly textured stone farm house, to this lemon tree that was so lush and tall that I chose for my painting, to a random bed that was on the property, to the terra cotta steps and quintessential Tuscan architectural details, to the ancient well and delicate geraniums, each student’s paintings turned out beautifully. After a peaceful morning of painting and photographing, we all reconvened on the patio of the villa for another delicious lunch of locally grown fruits, meats, cheeses and Vino Nobile.
If you’d like to see “Lemon Tree” and more of my travel plein-air paintings, please stop by my booth at the Cottonwood Art Festival this weekend, Oct. 6th and 7th, from 10am – 6pm. Visit cottonwoodartfestival.com for details.
Enjoying a delicious lunch at our villa, overlooking the surrounding rolling hills and distant Tuscan hill towns.
If you’d like to join us for next year’s Art Trek to Venice in February, Greece in May, Tuscany in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como in September, please visit NikiGulley.com/Artreks for more information. Workshops fill up quickly, so please let us know if you are interested. The early deadline and to receive a $500 savings for the Venice workshop is this Saturday!

 

If you have questions about the Art Treks workshops or are interested in purchasing any of my plein air paintings, please e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.
***
US Classes and Workshops – nikigulley.com/art-classes.
Travel Art Treks and Plein Air Workshops – nikigulley.com/artreks/
Available Paintings – NikiGulley.com

Day 3 Tuscany Art Trek, Siena

October 3, 2012
“Doorway to the Past,” Siena, Italy ©2012 Niki Gulley
10″ x 8″ pastel

Day 3, Siena – Tuscany Art Trek
On the third day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we visited the ancient walled hill town of Siena. With an incredible marbled cathedral, a massive town square where they run the Palio, a world famous horse race, and a fascinating labyrinth of cobblestone streets with a treasure around every corner, there was something for everyone to see. We made a leisurely day of sightseeing and people watching in true Italian style, and that evening treated ourselves to a delicious dinner in town.
If you’d like to see “Doorway to the Past” and more of my travel plein-air paintings, please stop by my booth at the Cottonwood Art Festival this weekend, Oct. 6th and 7th, from 10am – 6pm. Visit cottonwoodartfestival.com for details.
Enjoying a fabulous dinner in Pienza.

If you’d like to join us for next year’s Art Trek to Venice in February, Greece in May, Tuscany in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como in September, please visit NikiGulley.com/Artreks for more information. Workshops fill up quickly, so please let us know if you are interested. The early deadline and to receive a $500 savings for the Venice workshop is less than a month away.
If you have questions about the Art Treks workshops or are interested in purchasing any of my plein air paintings, please e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.
***
US Classes and Workshops – nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Travel Art Treks and Plein Air Workshops – nikigulley.com/artreks/

Cottonwood Art Festival this weekend, Richardson, TX

October 1, 2012
“Autumn Harvest,” ©2012 Niki Gulley
24×36″ pastel

Day 2, afternoon, Vineyard tours and Wine Tasting – Tuscany Art Trek
On the second day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we took a tour in the countryside of 2 local wineries, seeing their cellars and production process while learning more about Italian wines. Then, the best part of all – sampling some of those delicious wines with the locally grown meats and cheeses! One of the wineries has been in the same family for 300 years, and the care and pride they take in making their wines really shows through. A great end to a fun-filled day!
If you’d like to see “Autumn Harvest” and more of my impressionist landscape paintings, please stop by my booth at the Cottonwood Art Festival this weekend, Oct. 6th and 7th, from 10am – 6pm. Visit cottonwoodartfestival.com for details.
Touring the cellar of one of the wineries that’s been in business for over 300 years.
If you’d like to join us for next year’s Art Trek to Venice in February, Greece in May, Tuscany in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como in September, please visit NikiGulley.com/Artreks for more information. Workshops fill up quickly, so please let us know if you are interested. The early deadline and to receive a $500 savings for the Venice workshop is less than a month away.



If you have questions about the Art Treks workshops or are interested in purchasing any of my plein air paintings, please e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

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US Classes and Workshops – nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Travel Art Treks and Plein Air Workshops – nikigulley.com/artreks/
Available Paintings – NikiGulley.com