palette knife landscape oil painting

New “Syncopation” Textured Aspen Painting by Niki Gulley

January 19, 2022

12″ x 24″ • textured oil painting on canvas

Flickering autumn leaves seem to almost dance in a gentle breeze while white sentinels slice through the colorful backdrop and create a rhythm as they march along. Repeating and receding, the aspen trunks lead you into the distance, inviting you to take a relaxing walk on a beautiful autumn morning.

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her palette knife aspen and birch tree paintings.

See NikiGulley.com to see more of her contemporary landscape paintings.

Strolling through a birch forest painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

January 18, 2022

10″ x 20” textured oil painting

Today we continued our counterclockwise adventure around Iceland to arrive in the north, near the massive, impressive Godafoss waterfall. Unfortunately, our weather turned for the worse, and it was way too wet to paint the falls. However, just over the mountain, 20 minutes away at our b and b, the skies were fairly clear with even occasional glimpses of sunshine. I loved these birch trees all over their property, leading you down to the gorgeous view of the mountains in the distance. Sprinkled with summer wildflowers, I set out to capture the light casting long shadows from the trunks and causing the grasses to glow in the foreground, leading to a feeling of joy and serenity in this beautiful spot.

Close up texture detail of Woodland Stroll:

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If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Alsace, France – Aug. 2022

Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2022

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

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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

“Autumn in Tuscany” Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

December 22, 2021

10″ x 20” textured oil painting

During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we stay in the middle of the countryside at a villa surrounded by 360 degree views of the rolling hills and valleys and nearby hill towns. One of the best vantage points and probably my favorite town in Tuscany is Pienza. Perched on high, the city towers over everything around and seems to actually draw the passing clouds to its bell tower and church steeple. This was a particularly gorgeous morning with beautiful puffy white clouds drifting by that created dramatic shadows in the recesses and golden light as it hit the autumn fields.

If interested in purchasing and for more details on “Autumn in Tuscany,” please visit nikigulley.com/autumn-in-tuscany/.

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If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Alsace, France – Aug. 2021

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2021 • 1 Spot left

Spain Foodie Trek – 2022

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

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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

“Autumn Concerto II” Fall Birch Painting by Niki Gulley

December 13, 2021

SOLD • 16″ x 20″ textured oil painting

Just sold through The Statton Gallery! I painted this colorful birch trees on location with the fall hues emerging in all of their glory. I loved this grove of trunks that twisted and turned, slicing bright white through the tangle of autumn leaves. Painted over several mornings, the air was crisp but the sun made for beautiful painting conditions that illuminated the subject and warmed the air. I hope you, too, can feel the thrill of being surrounded by nature on a perfect fall day.

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her fall aspen and birch tree paintings.

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

Last Day of Iceland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

November 8, 2021

SOLD • 6″ x 8” textured oil painting

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 8 – Snaefellsnes Peninsula

Just sold! We continued our Art Treks adventure around the country to the west, finishing our trip on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The last stop on our itinerary was to visit the famous Black Church. Being the only church made of black construction material on the island, its distinctive appearance stands out rising out of a relatively large, flat plateau. I wanted to capture not only its color and shape, but the dramatic clouds surrounding it. Working with palette knife and thick oil paint, this little piece is loaded with texture, color and movement.

To treat ourselves at the end of the trip, we went to one of the few Michelin restaurants on the island and had the most delicious, fresh meal with newfound friends. None of us were ready for the trip to end!

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

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If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

Alsace, France – Aug. 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022

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

NikiGulley.com

“Golden Light” Palette Knife Painting from Iceland by Niki Gulley

November 5, 2021

9″ x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 8 – Kirkjufellsfoss

We completed our Iceland Art Trek that we taught on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, with its dramatic scenery and other worldly feel. First we stopped at Kirkjufell, the cone shaped “church” mountain and its waterfall on the north side of the peninsula, and also the most photographed spot in Iceland. Truly unique in its appearance, this lush conical mass rises from the earth, towering over the flat terrain around it. Sunlight caused the grasses and sky to glow, and I wanted to capture not only the unique, bizarreness of this “Church Mountain,” but also the peaceful river carving its way in front of it reaching out to the sea. Choosing a multi-colored palette adds to the joy and energy of this magical spot.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

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If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

Alsace, France – Aug. 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022

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

NikiGulley.com

Where Two Continents Collide on Art Treks Iceland Adventure

November 4, 2021

9″ x 12” textured oil painting

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 7 – Thingvellir National Park / Stykkisholmur

On the seventh day of our Iceland Painting and Photography Workshop we led, we stopped by one of the major attractions in Iceland, Thingvellir National Park. One of the highlights is when our group got to “see” where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.

After hiking around the park, we ventured onto our last hotel along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. I was taken by their simplistic architecture, often topped with bright red roofs to add a pop of color to the natural landscape. I chose this barn and set out to capture its shape, the colors and light hitting the structure, and the picturesque, idyllic, quiet scenery surrounding the building in all directions. I was drawn to the complimentary color palette of orange/gold grasses contrasted against a beautiful blue sky reflecting into the pond behind the barn. Playing off those colors in the distant mountains, I wanted this piece to be full of texture, joy and energy.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

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If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

Alsace, France – Aug. 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022

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

NikiGulley.com

Touring the Golden Circle with Niki Gulley’s and Scott Williams’ Art Treks

November 3, 2021

SOLD • 9″ x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 6 – Geysir and Waterfalls on the Golden Circle

That afternoon, we stopped by the Geysir for the photographers to capture the thermal explosion of water and steam, which explodes about every 5 minutes. So much fun to watch! After that, we finished the day with – you guessed it! One more waterfall. Slightly off the beaten path, these cascades rush over rocky cliffs to empty into this massive river valley that will eventually flow out to sea. A great way to end the day.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

***

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

Alsace, France – Aug. 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022

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

NikiGulley.com

Iceland’s Gorgeous Waterfalls – Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

November 2, 2021

8″ x 6” textured oil painting on canvas panel

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 6 – The Golden Circle

On the sixth day of our Iceland Art Trek, we toured several scenes along the Golden Circle drive, north of Reykavik. In the morning, we hiked back to these beautiful falls that empty into this gorgeous pool of turquoise churning water. While the payoff is definitely worth the hour-long hike, I was really glad I lightened my gear to just a canvas, carrier, 4 paints and a palette knife and ditched the heavy easel and tripod. Balancing my canvas on my lap, I was pleased with the results and really enjoyed the peaceful falls. Now we just had to hike back out!

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

***

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

Alsace, France – Aug. 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022

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

NikiGulley.com

Painting and Photographing Godafoss Waterfall on Niki Gulley’s and Scott Williams’ Art Trek to Iceland

November 1, 2021

9″ x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 5 – Godafoss

That evening we arrived in time to witness sunset over the massive Godafoss falls at the top of The Golden Circle. The colors were so beautiful in the sky and created a rainbow of reflected colors in the cascading water. Sketching out my composition and squeezing out my colors ahead of time helped me be able to capture this fleeting moment. I hope you can hear the surging water and feel the joy of this magical place.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

***

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

Alsace, France – Aug. 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022

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

NikiGulley.com