palette knife contemporary landscape painting

Painting Rhododendrons on Roan Mountain by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

December 29, 2025

SOLD • 30″ x 48″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

Just Sold! This summer we hiked the Appalachian Trail along Carver’s Gap to see the breathtaking Rhododendrons blooming along Roan Mountain. Not only were the flowers spectacular, bursting with every shade of red from magenta and pink to tangerine orange, but the mountain views were so inspiring. On one side you could see for miles into Tennessee and on the other side ridge after ridge of North Carolina. While the hike started out fairly clear, the clouds started to roll in as we climbed higher. But, I loved how that made the fog start dancing along the blue ridge peaks. Luckily, I got some good photographs of the scene before we were doused in rain and had to turn back. I hope you enjoy the peace and beauty as you escape into this gorgeous hike!

For details on more of wildflower or North Carolina paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

Day 5 of Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 20, 2025

Day 5, Greece Art Trek: Akrotiri and the Red Beach, Santorini

5″ x 7″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

On the fifth day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Greece, we visited Akrotiri, the remains from a Minoan civilization preserved during the volcanic eruption from the 16th century BC. The ancient city was fascinating. The beach next door also made for a beautiful, relaxing painting location! I loved this church nestled into the cliffs, so typical on the Greek islands.

The Red Beach • photo by Scott Williams

That afternoon, we headed to a Santorini winery and sampled the local wines. Yum!

Taking a little time out to enjoy the view and sample the Greek wines, which are quite tasty!

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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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If you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks!

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley Paints Cheerful Sunflowers

May 27, 2025

SOLD • 24″ x 24″ Textured Mixed Media Collage on Canvas

Just Sold! Loaded with thick, textured paint over multiple layers of color, these sunflowers are bursting to life with dimension and energy. Whimsical blooms seem to dance in nature’s kaleidoscope of summer hues bringing joy and sunshine to everyone they greet.

This piece looks great hung individually or paired with a companion floral landscape in the series. Please e-mail Niki Gulley for options and details.

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

Textured Poppy Painting by Palette Knife Painter Niki Gulley

May 22, 2025

Sold • 24″ x 24″ Textured Mixed Media Collage on Canvas

Just Sold! Loaded with thick, textured paint over multiple layers of color, these poppies are bursting to life with dimension and energy. Whimsical blooms seem to dance in nature’s kaleidoscope of spring hues bringing joy and sunshine to everyone they greet.

This piece looks great hung individually or paired with a complimentary bluebonnet landscape in the series. Please e-mail Niki Gulley for options and details.

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

Van Gogh Sunflowers by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

May 20, 2025

24″ x 24″ Textured Mixed Media Collage on Canvas

This piece looks great hung individually or paired with a companion floral landscape in the series. Loaded with thick, textured paint over multiple layers of color, these sunflowers are bursting to life with dimension and energy. Whimsical blooms seem to dance in nature’s kaleidoscope of summer hues bringing joy and sunshine to everyone they greet.

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

Please e-mail Niki Gulley for options and details.

Plein Air Painting Texas Bluebonnets and Wildflowers with Niki Gulley

May 14, 2025

12″ x 16″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Recently I found this prolific patch of bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush at Lake Bardwell in Ennis, TX, and I had to capture all of those beautiful blooms before they were gone. This morning started out slightly overcast, and the sun kept peeking in and out of the clouds, creating a soft glow to everything it touched. I wanted to capture that magical light illuminating the lake and accentuating the rows of wildflowers along the hill. It was such a peaceful spot and I wanted that emotion to come through, too. I hope you can feel the joy and tranquility of springtime with the wildflowers abloom in the Texas!

For more details on “Springtime at the Lake” and my other bluebonnet paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

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

For more information on my palette floral paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

New Texas Bluebonnet Landscape by Contemporary Impressionistic Niki Gulley

April 10, 2025

48″ x 60″ textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

Oh the beauty of driving through Texas in April! Waves of prolific bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush and assorted wildflowers lead you to a vanishing point just over the horizon. Where will your journey take you next? Gorgeous billowing clouds fill the sky with movement and softened light. Surprising pops of color invite your eyes to dance around the canvas, feeling the excitement of the moment. As large as life, may you immerse yourself and get lost in the joy and energy of springtime in the hill country!

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For more details on my other Texas paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

New “Sapphire Symphony” Large Texas Bluebonnet Painting by Niki Gulley

April 7, 2025

48″ x 60″ textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

My labor of love this past month! With the canvas as wide as I am tall, and so many ups and downs my step ladder painting it, this one was quite the workout. But, it was important for me to completely immerse you in the energy found amongst nature. This painting is best seen in person so that you can step into this life-size canvas and feel our Texas’ landscape’s beauty yourself.

I made sure to not over blend my thick strokes so that you could see the marks and feel the vivacity found in nature. Repeating patterns and waves of color create a harmony within the painting. Rendering the bluebonnets and wildflowers along with their surroundings loosely plays with taking a traditional subject matter and putting a new twist on it. Voluminous and dramatic clouds surround your journey into this uplifting symphonic expression of peace and hope.

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For more details on my other Texas paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

“Morning in Paradise” Palette Knife Seashore painting by Niki Gulley

March 19, 2025

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

I wanted this painting to be about the power of the ocean to lift your spirits. Painting this piece on location, I strove to capture the sparkle the sun cast across the turquoise waters as it slowly rose above the horizon. Creating bobbing diamonds of sparkling light across the surface was truly mesmerizing to watch.

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

Or e-mail me for more information at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

“Symphonic Expressions” Large Abstract Texas Painting by Niki Gulley

March 12, 2025

SOLD • 48″ x 60″ textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

Moving cross-country with two art studios worth of supplies is… interesting! ? Found paint tubes in places I didn’t even know existed.

So glad we could deliver this 48″ x 60″ to my collector’s home in Dallas before we left. One less big painting to move!

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For more details on my other Texas paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.