Texas artist

Capturing Vermont’s Fall Foliage with Palette Knife Painter Niki Gulley

December 9, 2025

24″ x 18″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

The color explosion in northern Vermont was out of this world, and I just had to capture its fleeting beauty. So, we found a nice big place to park the RV and I was able to work larger again today. The reds were so vibrant and intense on this maple that it had to be my focus. Feeling like a kid with the excitement of the colors, I chose this uplifting view reminiscent of laying on the ground as a child and staring up into the treetops and sky. Totally lost in the moment and not a care in the world, I hope you are transported to a similar happy memory from your youth!

To purchase “Climbing to the Sky,” please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/climbing-to-the-sky/.

•••

For more information on my textured palette knife paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

Or, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

“Fracturing Reality II” Textured Abstract Aspen Painting by Niki Gulley

December 2, 2025

24” x 24” textured acrylic painting on canvas

Abstract realism – the synthesis of abstract and realistic painting. Borrowing abstract influences, such as focusing on color, line, shape and rhythm without a concrete, physical object and combining those concepts with depicting something from reality. When you marry these two genres, you get a new style of art that aims to illicit the emotions behind the subject.

In “Fracturing Reality II,” I hope you feel rejuvenated as you gaze into nature’s wonders and escape into your dreams.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings.

To see more of my textured nature paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Colorful Rose Garden Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 24, 2025

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

When we checked into our B and B in Tuscany this year, we were greeted by beautiful rose gardens surrounding the property. WOW! With such a plethora of gorgeous blooms, it was really hard to narrow down what to paint. Finally I landed on these crimson beauties with a peek at the Tuscan villa in the distance. I adore the cypress trees so indicative of Tuscany so I made sure to include them in the background. I also loved how this ancient twisted vine hugged the scene, creating an organic window of the view beyond. Filled with joy and color, I hope you are transported to this serene escape.

“Ruby Blooms” is available through the Good Art Company at https://www.goodartcompany.com/product-page/abstract-impression-original-art-20×10-landscape-ruby-bloomstps://www.nikigulley.com/ruby-blooms/.

For details on more of my Tuscany or rose garden paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

***

Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you’re in luck if you’ve always wanted to go! We’ve had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2025. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

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

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

Carnivalé Art Trek – Venice, Italy 2026
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings – Aug. 9th

https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-2026/

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/

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

Two Spots Available for Tuscany Foodie Trek this September/ October!

July 17, 2025

10″ x 20″ Textured Acrylic Painting on Canvas Panel

My husband and I stumbled upon this quintessential Tuscan farmhouse while out for a scenic drive this spring. Perched alone on top of this hill, we loved how the incredibly long cypress lined driveway was silhouetted by the sky. The soft light caused the hills to glow the most intense golden chartreuse, and I felt compelled to capture the beautiful scene. Unfortunately that meant I had to set up my easel alongside a rather busy road. Undeterred by the constant parade of racing traffic and horn honking semi trucks, I quickly got to work in order to paint these gorgeous clouds and light before they were gone.

“Golden Undulation” is available through The Good Art Company Gallery. Visit https://www.goodartcompany.com/product-page/abstract-impression-original-art-10×20-landscape-golden-undulation.

***

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

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

Carnivalé Art Trek – Venice, Italy 2026
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings – Aug. 9th

https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-2026/

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, NikiGulley.com to see more of my impressionistic palette knife paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary Italy and European paintings.

Highly Textured Texas Wildflower Paintings by Niki Gulley

May 26, 2025

16″ x 16″ textured mixed media collage on panel • framed in black

I hope my new square textured paintings bring joy, color and energy to your day! Designed to lift your spirits and add a burst of brightness to your walls, these wildflower ablstractions allow your imagination to wander and fill in your own story. These paintings look great hung alone or in a grouping.

For details on more of my poppy, bluebonnet and sunflower paintings in this series, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

Artist Niki Gulley’s Creates Contemporary Texas Bluebonnet Paintings

May 23, 2025

24″ x 24″ Textured Mixed Media Collage on Canvas

Loaded with thick, textured paint over multiple layers of color, these Texas wildflowers 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.

To purchase this palette knife bluebonnet painting, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/springs-palette-iii/.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

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

“Rosy Surprise II” Palette Knife Painting by Impressionist Niki Gulley

May 21, 2025

24″ x 24″ Textured Acrylic on Canvas

What a beautiful surprise to have these roses blooming in my garden this winter! Of course the next night it was supposed to freeze and I couldn’t let these beauties go to waste. After cutting and assembling them in a vase, I just kept staring at them as they were bringing so much color and joy to the grey day. Despite several projects on my plate, I had to take a break and capture these rosy fleeting blooms. May they bring some vibrancy to your winter days, too.

***

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

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

Artist Niki Gulley Paints Contemporary Bluebonnet Painting

May 19, 2025

24″ x 24″ Textured Mixed Media Collage on Canvas

***

E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

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

“Colorful Crescendo” by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

May 16, 2025

30″ x 30″ textured mixed media painting on 1.5″ gallery wrap canvas with the scene continuing around the edges

Painted layer upon layer, dreamy light shines through the underlying tangle of colors creating a mysterious aura of peace and hope. Glimpses of bluebonnets peek through the fiery cascade signaling the joy of springtime and bountiful blooms that lift your spirit. Bursting with texture and energy, may “Colorful Crescendo” elicit joy, serenity and promises of the day to come.

***

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

For more information on my palette knife bluebonnet and Texas wildflower paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Palette Knife Rose Garden Painting by Niki Gulley

May 15, 2025

SOLD • 8″ x 8″ acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley

Just Sold! Our generous friends and one of my former students invited us to stay at their home in the Texas Hill Country while I was painting bluebonnets this year. Their property was so beautiful and I loved her rose garden, so I just had to paint it!

***

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

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