New Contemporary Wildflower Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

“Delightful Anticipation” ©2026 Niki Gulley
60″ x 30″” textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas
 
 

Moving through the fear of starting a new large project – so exciting and yet intimidating! To help me paint more from my soul and less from my head, I first created an abstract “mess” of color. Then, allowing the canvas to guide me to tell its story and where to place my strokes and colors, the fun began. Truly exhilarating and just a little scary letting go of all control, like magic the landscape starts to emerge. I relish that freedom just playing and the aha moment where you feel everything coming together. After days, weeks, and even months of building layer upon layer of thick, textured paint, your subconscious vision comes to life. The canvas dances with color, sings with energy and my heart feels full. That’s when I know it is complete and I can’t wait to share that with you so you can get lost in the joy of luscious paint and nature’s beauty, too! Filled with so many layers and surprising pops of color all over the canvas, you’ll never get bored looking into “Delightful Anticipation” as there is always something new to discover. 

Check out a close-up video of the texture here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUTa4eZiZ6I/.

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

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

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

Textured Bluebonnet and Texas Wildflower Paintings by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

 

“Petal Poetry X” 
11″ x 16″ sculpted, highly textured acrylic painting on panel 

With such a rich kaleidoscope of hues from the Texas wildflowers, I am like a kid in a candy store every time I go out. The interplay of color between the Indian Paintbrush, Bluebonnets and assorted other wildflowers allows me to stretch the spectrum in this natural palette.

 
To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.
 
Please e-mail Niki Gulley for options and details.
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

Painting Rhododendrons on Roan Mountain by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

“Rhododendron Splendor” ©2025 Niki Gulley
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.

 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 

  

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

 

 
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.

 

 
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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!
 

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. 

Greece Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

 
Day 4, Greece Art Trek:  Afternoon Location – Oia, Santorini
SOLD • 12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

That afternoon, we headed to the other end of the island, to the beautiful city of Oia. With so much beautiful scenery, it was hard to decide on a subject, but a couple of the painters chose this iconic view of the windmills and bleached architecture contrasted against the cobalt blue skies and waters below. Meanwhile the photographers climbed every nook and cranny in town in search for the perfect shot, and others chose to shop or relax with a snack, soaking in the gorgeous view over the caldera.

That evening we put down our brushes and let the photographers work on capturing the beautiful sunset, while we sat back and enjoyed the amazing view!

 
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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!
 

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. 

***

 

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

 
 

Painting and Photographing in Santorini, Greece with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

Day 3, Greece Art Trek:  Santorini
9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

The next day we painted the beautiful view again from our hotel. Working with palette knife, I had so much fun capturing the craggy textures of the volcanic rocks hugging the water. The gorgeous blues and turquoises of the Aegean Sea were so relaxing and mesmerizing to gaze at! Sailboats and catamarans drifted by adding to that blissful, peaceful feeling. What a wonderful morning painting together!

Meanwhile the photographers viewed more of the town, while others relaxed at the pool at our hotel. That afternoon, we enjoyed a boat ride taking us to the surrounding islands and finishing with watching the sun drop across the sea. Just beautiful!

Enjoying the relaxing boat ride.
 
 

***

 

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!
 

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. 

***

 

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

Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley Paints Cheerful Sunflowers

    

 
“Sunny Rhythms” ©2025 Niki Gulley

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.
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

Textured Poppy Painting by Palette Knife Painter Niki Gulley

     

 
“May’s Palette II” ©2024 Niki Gulley

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.
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

 

Van Gogh Sunflowers by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

     

 
“Sunny Rhythms II” ©2025 Niki Gulley

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.

 

***
 

 

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.
 
Please e-mail Niki Gulley for options and details.
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

Plein Air Painting Texas Bluebonnets and Wildflowers with Niki Gulley

 

“Springtime at the Lake” ©2025 Niki Gulley
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. 


***
To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
For more information on my palette floral paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/