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.
Tag: palette knife birches
Niki Gulley Now Showing at the Good Art Company in Fredericksburg, Texas
In this painting I wanted you to feel that child-like wonder of staring up in into the treetops and the heavens above. Choosing vibrant, cheerful yellows contrasted against a crystal blue sky and arranging the aspens in a circular pattern heightened by thick, curving paint strokes, both add to that joyful, playful feeling of hope and discovery.
Niki will also be exhibiting her textured oil paintings at the Deep Ellum Arts Festival in Dallas this weekend.
Fri. April 6 • 5pm – 8pm
Sat. April 7 • 11am – 8pm
Sun. April 8 • 11am – 7pm
Dallas, TX • booth #128-B on Main St. between Crowdus & Malcolm X
meifestivals.com/deepspr.html
“Carnival” – New autumn aspen oil painting by Niki Gulley
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. Combining short staccato strokes along with long sweeping passes 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.
Or, visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary oil paintings.