Painting in the French Quarter with Niki Gulley, New Orleans Art Trek

“Flying High,” New Orleans  ©2014 Niki Gulley • 12″ x 9″ palette knife oil painting
New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2, Afternoon Location: The French Quarter

That afternoon, we chose this quieter picturesque alley, loaded with color and life. I loved the vibrant flags flying high from each balcony, while others chose interesting cafés, balconies and storefronts to paint. That night we met up with the photographers and dined on a delicious dinner at Mr. B’s Bistro. A perfect end to the day!
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If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
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To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Painting Jackson Square with Niki Gulley, New Orleans Art Trek 2014

SOLD •  5″ x 7″ palette knife oil painting  ©2014 Niki Gulley
New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2: Jackson Square

On the second day of our New Orleans Art Trek, we set up our easels near Jackson Square to capture the architecture and energy of the city while the photographers went on to visit the downtown streets and infamous cemeteries. Some of my painters chose to record the whole street scene, while others focused in on interesting architectural details. I liked this tangled oak tree branch framing the coral wrought iron French Revival building behind it. Again, we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day! On the way to our second painting location, we fueled up on Po Boy sandwiches and refreshments.
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
***

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

New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

  7″ x 5″ palette knife oil painting  ©2014 Niki Gulley
New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 1: Fabourg Marigny

Later that afternoon, the light had changed so much on our morning subjects, that some of us had to switch gears and look for a different idea. I loved this tangled oak tree and with the golden light coming on, I set to capturing its vibrant colors before the glow was gone. That evening we went out for a delicious Creole dinner of oysters, jambalaya, shrimp and grits, and other New Orleans favorites while swapping stories from the day and getting to know each other better.
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
***

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

New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

“Dappled Light,” New Orleans ©2014 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ oil painting 
New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 1: Fabourg Marigny

On the first day or our New Orleans Art Trek, I took the painters to the far end of the French Quarter to capture some of the beautiful architecture and wrought iron balconies so typical of the city while Scott led the photographers throughout the Quarter looking for the perfect shot. We couldn’t have asked for a better day. The weather was a perfect sunny 70 degrees with barely a breeze – ideal painting conditions! We breaked for lunch on delicious crab cakes, salads and sandwiches and returned that afternoon to our morning location to finish our work.

***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
***

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

“Blind Light” Dallas pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

Blind Light, Dallas West End – pastel – 12″ x 18″
© Niki GulleyAnother one of my adventures to the Dallas West End brought me to  this scene.  The light patterns and the lone guy walking away drew me in.  I really like the way the colors fade in the distance.  The leading lines put you right on the street.

E-mail me at [email protected] for more information about “Blind Light”
***
Please visit my website at NikiGulley.com  to see more of my pastels and oil paintings of contemporary art.  Or plan to attend this upcoming tour:
White Rock Artists Studio Tour
Sat. Oct. 11 • 10am – 5pm
Sun. Oct. 12 • 10am – 5pm

 

“Shift Change” Dallas Landry’s Seafood, pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Shift Change, Dallas West End – Pastel 12″X18”
© Niki Gulley

Lights glitter from their hiding places, nestled among the branches, mimicking the gleam of the stars high overhead. The wait staff gather outside, savoring the cool air, their work for the day done. Having left the fast paced world inside of Landry’s, they take a moment, and a breath, unwinding with a chat.

The pastels in this piece help the light bleed into the dark, capturing well the inviting warmth of Landry’s Seafood. In this scene we get to a changing of the guard, one no less important than any other. The lines guide you in, much like the pedestrians wandering into the scene.

E-mail me at [email protected] for more information about “Shift Change”.

***

Please visit my website at NikiGulley.com  to see more of my pastels and oil paintings of contemporary art.

Or plan to attend this upcoming tour:

White Rock Artists Studio Tour

Sat. Oct. 11 • 10am – 5pm

Sun. Oct. 12 • 10am – 5pm

WhiteRockArtists.com

 

 

“Lucky’s Cafe”, a long time Dallas diner, pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Lucky’s Cafe” Dallas, TX – pastel 12″X18″
© Niki Gulley
Friends sit and gaze at the mass of beauty and indecision that is the menu. The fear of missing out on any number of delectable dishes makes it nearly impossible to chose. Their eyes waver between the menu in their hands and the massive chalk board that dominates the far wall. Mom’s meatloaf? Good Luck Reuben? And who could pass up the Sleaziest, Cheesiest, Grilled Cheese in Town? But, then, it is found: Chicken Fried Steak, a delicious staple of home-style comfort food.

Every once and a while, it’s nice to share a little home-town spirit. Coming from Dallas, I thought it would be nice to capture a local favorite, Lucky’s Cafe, on Oaklawn Ave. Even outside, you can feel the energy that emanates from within and cuts through the heavy blanket of night.

The pastels in this piece help to bring out the warmth and light that fills every corner of this treasure of Dallas.  A very quaint piece.
E-mail me at [email protected] for more information about “Lucky’s Cafe”
***
Please visit my website at NikiGulley.com  to see more of my pastels and oil paintings of contemporary art.  Or plan to attend this upcoming tour:


White Rock Artists Studio Tour


Sat. Oct. 11 • 10am – 5pm


Sun. Oct. 12 • 10am – 5pm
Sat. Oct. 11 • 10am – 5pm
Sun. Oct. 12 • 10am – 5pm

Just Sold! “Spring’s Majesty,” Texas Hill Country – Bluebonnet painting by Niki Gulley

“Spring’s Majesty, Texas Hill Country” ©2014 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 18″ x 36″ textured painting
“Spring’s Majesty” was inspired by a trip to the Texas Hill Country when the bluebonnets were in full splendor. While we were near Fredericksburg, we took a scenic drive along the Willow City Look and as we approached the top of a hill about half way around, we were greeted by this gorgeous view of the rolling hills colored with bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush in full bloom. Then, to top it off the sun was setting in the distance casting its golden glow and backlighting the wildflowers. I had to capture the magical moment, enhancing the kaleidoscope of colors in the sky and along the ground. Arranging clouds, the road and rows of bluebonnets in rhythmic sweeping shapes, create a harmonious landscape that flows with light, texture and color, and suggest a feeling of optimism about what’s to come.

“Spring’s Majesty” was available through the Good Art Company gallery, goodartcompany.com/gac/.
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her Texas bluebonnet paintings.
To see more of Gulley’s contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

New “Primary Colors” Oil Painting by Niki Gulley from Burano, Italy

“Primary Colors,” Burano, Italy ©2014 Niki Gulley
12″ x 16″ textured oil painting

We have been leading Art Treks in Venice, Italy for the past 6 years and one of the places that I look forward to most when we’re visiting is the quaint, colorful island of Burano. Known for making lace by hand, what I particular love are all of the vibrant painted houses and the reflections they cast in the canals. I feel like a kid in a candy store, not knowing what to paint first. It is such a visual feast for your eyes! I was particularly drawn to this scene with the warm reds and yellows contrasted against the vivid  calm blue water, fishing boats docked for the day and some clean clothes drying in the distance.

If you’d like to join us next February in Venice for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
Upcoming ArtTreks

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014
 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014
New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-25, 2014

2015
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 2015

 Athens and Santorini, Greece – June 26 – May 2015
The French Riviera – June 2014
 Provence, France – June /July 2015


Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!
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To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

“Spring’s Majesty,” Texas Hill Country – New Bluebonnet painting by Niki Gulley

“Spring’s Majesty, Texas Hill Country” ©2014 Niki Gulley
18″ x 36″ textured painting

“Spring’s Majesty” was inspired by a trip to the Texas Hill Country when the bluebonnets were in full splendor. While we were near Fredericksburg, we took a scenic drive along the Willow City Look and as we approached the top of a hill about half way around, we were greeted by this gorgeous view of the rolling hills colored with bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush in full bloom. Then, to top it off the sun was setting in the distance casting its golden glow and backlighting the wildflowers. I had to capture the magical moment, enhancing the kaleidoscope of colors in the sky and along the ground. Arranging clouds, the road and rows of bluebonnets in rhythmic sweeping shapes, create a harmonious landscape that flows with light, texture and color, and suggest a feeling of optimism about what’s to come.

“Spring’s Majesty” is available through the Good Art Company gallery, goodartcompany.com/gac/.
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her Texas bluebonnet paintings.


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