New “Highlands Sunset” Palette Knife oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Highlands Sunset” ©2014 Niki Gulley
12″ x 24″ textured oil painting

We came across this gorgeous sunset while visiting the Highlands in Scotland. Between the intense colors in the sky, the wide lake spreading before us and the enchanting hills in the distance, I just had to paint this scene. I chose a panorama format to give you a better feeling for its expansive beauty and peacefulness.

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

Or if you are in the Dallas area this weekend, please stop by my booth at the Cottonwood Art Festival.

Cottonwood Art Festival (TX)
Sat. May 3 • 10am – 7pm
Sun. May 4 • 10am – 5pm
Richardson, TX
Cottonwood Park at Coit and Beltline
CottonwoodArtFestival.com


E-mail – Niki Gulley

New “Primary Colors” Oil Painting by Niki Gulley from Burano, Italy

“Primary Colors,” Burano, Italy ©2014 Niki Gulley
12″ x 16″ textured oil painting

We have been leading Art Treks in Venice, Italy for the past 6 years and one of the places that I look forward to most when we’re visiting is the quaint, colorful island of Burano. Known for making lace by hand, what I particular love are all of the vibrant painted houses and the reflections they cast in the canals. I feel like a kid in a candy store, not knowing what to paint first. It is such a visual feast for your eyes! I was particularly drawn to this scene with the warm reds and yellows contrasted against the vivid  calm blue water, fishing boats docked for the day and some clean clothes drying in the distance.

If you’d like to join us next February in Venice for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
Upcoming ArtTreks

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014
 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014
New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-25, 2014

2015
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 2015

 Athens and Santorini, Greece – June 26 – May 2015
The French Riviera – June 2014
 Provence, France – June /July 2015


Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!
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To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

New Bluebonnet Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

“Blue Morning, Nash Farm” ©2014 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Painted on location at Nash Farm, these Texas bluebonnets are loaded with texture, color and dimension!

To see more of my contemporary palette knife landscape paintings and Texas wildflower scenes, visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

“October Rhythms” Palette Knife Aspen Trees by Niki Gulley

“October Rhythms” ©2014 Niki Gulley
36″ x 48″ textured oil painting on gallery wrap canvas

I find being immersed in nature can have such an uplifting effect, and I wanted to share that feeling with you in October Rhythms. I chose pure, intense reds and yellows contrasted against autumn golds and chocolates to create an fall forest that vibrates with color, energy and sound. The repetition in the aspen trunks and foliage patterns, combined with the flickering tones of the breeze rustling the leaves reminded me of a symphony in the forest so I titled this painting October Rhythms.

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

E-mail – Niki Gulley

“Heightened Awareness” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

Heightened
Awareness III ©2014 Niki Gulley
48″ x 36″ • Textured mixed media on canvas

In this painting I wanted you to feel that child-like wonder of staring up in into the treetops and the heavens above. I chose vibrant, cheerful yellows contrasted against a violet blue sky filled with big, puffy clouds. And, by arranging the aspens in a circular pattern heightened by thick, curving paint strokes, that joyful, playful feeling of hope and discovery are enhanced.

If you’d like more information on my textured aspen and birch tree paintings, e-mail Niki Gulley.

Painting and Photographing in Cinque Terre, Italy with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9″ x 12″ Textured Oil Painting by Niki Gulley
Day 2, Afternoon Location: Vernazza
CINQUE TERRE / LAKE COMO ART TREK
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

After a delicious lunch of fresh seafood, homemade pasta and pesto sauce and the ripest tomatoes and vegetables, we rode the train north to the picturesque village of Vernazza. Again, situating ourselves near the calming ocean sounds, we decided to paint this colorful view back towards town. The bold array of hues in the umbrellas, boats and buildings, were so much fun to paint!

That night we enjoyed a beautiful sunset view from our restaurant’s terrace.  
If you’d like to join us in Cinque Terre / Lake Como for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 12th-21st, please let me know. The workshop is already half full and a final registration deadline of Nov. 2nd is quickly approaching, so sign up soon! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
Upcoming Art Treks
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014
Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014
 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014



Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.
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To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

Painting Rancho de Taos with Niki Gulley

SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  
Day 3, morning location – Rancho de Taos
10″ x 8″ textured oil by Niki Gulley

On day 3 of our Santa Fe Art Trek, we headed north to paint Rancho de Taos, made famous in paint by Georgia O’Keefe and in film by Ansel Adams. Today each of my students saw the adobe structure differently, and each chose a unique perspective of the building. Spending most of the morning helping everyone with perspective and getting accurate angles on this tricky pueblo, I had just enough time to do a quick  palette knife sketch of a close up of the church. Choosing vibrant golds and reds for the bell tower set against a gorgeous cobalt sky, really made the colors sing!
Above: Barbara Moore working in pastels at Rancho de Taos, with faithful companion, Shiloh.
Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.For new classes and workshops in Texas this fall, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.