palette knife – Page 9

Niki Gulley at 57th Street Art Fair, Chicago, Il – this weekend

May 29, 2013

Three 48″ x 30″ canvases to form a 48″ x 90″ triptych

Textured oil painting on wrap around canvases

I wanted this large-scale painting to be very uplifting, colorful and full of energy. Opting for warm colors and working with extremely thick paint and palette knives, I chose this lily pond reference from our visit to Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, France. The grounds were breathtaking and I could actually see his paintings come to life. I was drawn to the energetic flow and yet calming serenity in this view, and I positioned the shoreline, shadows and reflections in a curving pattern to add to that mood. Dripping willow leaves frame the foreground as water lilies skim the pond’s surface. The morning light peeking through the distant foliage added to a sense of mystery and promise that I wanted to capture in paint, and share with you that feeling of hope.

To see more of Niki Gulley’s contemporary landscape paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.

Or, if you’re in the Chicago area, please stop by her booth at the 57th Street Art Fair:

57th Street Art Fair

Sat. June 1 • 11am – 6pm

Sun. June 2 • 10am – 5pm

On S. Kimbark, between 56th and 57th Streets • Booth # 827 (close to 56th St.) • Chicago, IL

57thstreetartfair.org

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Plein Air Painting Class at the Arboretum with Niki Gulley

October 22, 2012

both

10″ x 12″ textured oil painting

I created this little painting of the purple Clematis at the Dallas Arboretum last fall with palette knife and thick oil paint. It was so peaceful in the Poetry Garden, that it seemed like a perfect place to set up my easel. I liked the contrast of the cool purple in the flowers against the warm light of the textured wall behind them. Accentuating the circular design they were forming along with forming curving paint strokes, adds to a feeling of movement and energy, almost as if the petals are dancing in the breeze.

If you, too, would like to paint outdoors, join me this Wednesday, Oct. 24th, when I’ll be teaching a Plein Air Painting Workshop sponsored by the Dallas Arboretum. It will be a great introduction to painting outdoors for beginning artists, as well as an opportunity for advanced artists to enhance their skills. For more information, visit dallasarboretum.org/AdultEducation/index.htm.

If you’d like more information about my upcoming workshops in the US and Europe, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

NikiGulley.com

Day 2, Santa Fe Art Trek with Niki Gulley

August 24, 2012

SANTA FE ART TREK: Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2, morning location – downtown Santa Fe
9″ x 12″ textured oil by Niki Gulley

On day 2 of our Santa Fe Art Trek, we visited this peaceful little street where each home is postcard perfect. Between the unique adobe architecture, the dramatic morning light, and the beautiful plantings surrounding each home, it was hard to choose what to paint! Each student found something different that excited them, and I became fascinated with this window and rain spout, and the deep shadows they were casting. I also loved the glowing Russian sage against the golden terra cotta wall and the beautiful plum tree in the distance.

Above: Painting in Santa Fe.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Kaleidoscope of Dreams – new oil painting

January 16, 2012

textured oil painting
Four 36″ x 36″ canvases to form a 72″ x 72″ quadriptych

In this painting, I wanted you to feel like a little kid again – laying on the ground and staring up into the treetops without a care in the world. I hope you experience the joy of being surrounded by nature and the beauty in this autumn kaleidoscope of colors.

Email me for more information on “Kaleidoscope of Dreams.”

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary oil paintings.

Dutch Art Gallery opening this Sat. 1-5pm

November 5, 2010

Oil on canvas • 30” x 40”

When I was a teenager my grandparents and the majority of my dad’s family moved to Texas and I loved coming down from Chicago to visit them. I remember the first time I saw a massive field of bluebonnets and I was awestruck by the expanse of color. It was amazing that such tiny flowers when planted in mass could form a solid sea of blue. I wanted to relive those fond memories of spending time with my grandma and grandpa, while also recreating the exciting wildflower displays I remember seeing for the first time as a kid in Rhapsody in Blue. Using this interesting weathered farm house in Marble Falls and painting it engulfed in one of our best bluebonnet and Indian Paintbrush displays perfectly captures those memories.

To see more of my Texas wildflower paintings, stop by the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas this Saturday for the “Artists of Texas” reception from 1-5. Myself and many of the other talented artists will be there to answer any questions and talk with you more about our work.

Where Texas Finds Its Color

The Artists of Texas – Second Annual State Show

Artist Reception November 6th, 1:00-5:00 pm

November 2 – December 31, 2010

The Dutch Art Gallery

10233 East Northwest Highway Suite 420

Dallas, Texas 75238

dutchartusa.com

August 4, 2010

12” x 12” oil on canvas

I created these birch trees with palette knife and extremely thick oil paint to achieve texture and suggest the energy found in nature. The image is painted around the sides of the 1.5 inch deep gallery wrap canvas so that it looks three-dimensional and can be hung as is without a frame for a contemporary look. These chunky birch paintings look great in pairs and threes.

If you’d like to learn how to create loose, vibrant paintings join us this fall in my adult art classes in Dallas. I am beginning registration and classes fill up quickly, so visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 or e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

Ann Arbor Art Fair Wed. – Sat.

July 19, 2010

Poppy painting by Niki Gulley

5” x 7”

I created this poppy study with palette knife and extremely thick paint to achieve texture and dimension. I love how the bright colors pop and brighten up any room, and how the strokes contain so much movement and energy. Pair with one of my other sunflower or poppy studies to hang in a series.

To see these paintings in person, stop by my booth at Ann Arbor, MI’s Art Festival this week, a2statestreetartfair.com, or e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

Westport Fine Arts Festival – this weekend

July 16, 2010

Sunflower Study by Niki Gulley

Acrylic 5” x 7”

I created this sunflower study with palette knife and extremely thick acrylic paint to achieve texture and dimension. I love how the bright colors pop and brighten up any room, and how the strokes contain so much movement and energy.

To see these paintings, stop by my booth at Westport, CT’s Fine Art Festival this weekend, westportartsfestival.com, or e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

Westport Fine Arts Festival this weekend

July 12, 2010

Poppy study III by Niki Gulley

5″ x 7″

I created this floral study to pair with my other miniature poppy paintings. Using palette knives and extremely thick oil paint to achieve texture and dimension. I love the bright, happy colors! To see these floral studies in person, stop by my booth at the Westport Fine Arts Festival in Westport, CT this weekend. For more details on the show, see westportfineartsfestival.com.

Harmonious Hues

September 22, 2009

“Harmonious Hues” series by Niki Gulley
oils on canvas â€¢ 12″ x 12″

I am really excited about the new paintings I’ve been creating for the Cottonwood Art Festival. I started playing around with thick oil paint and lots of texture early last spring, and the positive response to this new style has been incredible!

Here are a couple of my new seasonal foliage paintings. I love the peeling, knobby bark of the birch trunks, and I feel like I can really recreate that sense of texture by working with thick oil paint and palette knives. I hope you can stop by the Cottonwood Art Festival in Dallas Oct. 3rd & 4th to view them in person, since it’s hard to see their dimension on the computer screen. Each oil painting is 12″ x 12″ and they look great in pairs or threes. I’d love to hear your feedback!

Email me for more information.