Texas artist Niki Gulley

Plein Air Painting Workshop – Tuscany

August 30, 2010

18″ x 36″ oil painting

Our upcoming workshop that we’re teaching in Tuscany makes me think about the gorgeous poppy fields blooming along the rolling Italian hills in springtime. To think that such a delicate flower can produce that powerful explosion of color when planted in mass boggles my senses. Seeing that sudden burst of intense orange or red against the azure blue sky after miles of green countryside is quite amazing. I love how complimentary colors, like blue and orange, vibrate when placed next to each other and I wanted to communicate that beauty and excitement in “Poppy Passion,” while reliving some of my favorite vacation memories from Tuscany – the warmth of the people, the beauty of the rolling hills and vineyards, the delicious, savory slow-grown food and wine and enjoying the laid-back, smell-the-roses time with my loved ones.

If you like to see “Poppy Passion” in person and you’re in the Chicago area, stop by my booth #89 at the Oakbrook Fine Art Invitational this weekend. Visit oakbrookcenter.com for more information or check.

If you’d like to find out more about our upcoming Painting & Photography Workshops in Europe, go to nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 or e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information. Our September Tuscany workshop is full, but we’re taking names for next May to Greece and Tuscany in September.

Art Classes added this fall

August 18, 2010

24” x 36” oil on canvas

Out of the 16 countries that I’ve visited, Lake Como, Italy is definitely one of my favorites places in the world. When we stepped off the train and wandered down to the water’s edge, my eyes started filling with tears being overwhelmed by the stunning scenery. Between the beautiful, peaceful lake, the awesome snow-capped alps in the distance, and the brightly colored stacked houses, we relished every minute we spent in this sleepy Lake Como town.

To see “Peaceful Harbor” in person along with my other most recent paintings, visit my booth #355 at the Gold Coast Art Show in Chicago, IL this weekend. For more information on the show, go to amdurproductions.com/f-goldcoast-public.html.

Or, if you’d like to learn how to paint luscious landscapes, join me this fall in my Adult Art Classes. Thanks to the overwhelming response to my Tuesday session, I am adding two more classes on Wednesdays. If you’re interested in joining us, visit my website at NikiGulley.com/?page_id=13 for more information,

Or, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Turquoise Vortex oil painting

August 11, 2010

30” x 30” • oil on canvas

Growing up in Chicago, our brutally cold winters would feel like they lasted forever so my family tried to vacation along our tropical coasts whenever possible. I loved this week we spent together – the cathartic rhythm of the ocean waves lapping against the shore as dad and I tried to ride each crest as close to the beach as possible, feeling the cool sand squish between my toes and fingers while building sand castles together, and enjoying the peacefulness at sunset as the gorgeous fireball dropped down from the sky and cast diamond-like reflections across the ocean’s surface.

Turquoise Vortex recreates that magical moment as the sun starts to descend and illuminate the water’s peaks and makes everything sparkle. Using a circular composition and bold colors enhances that feeling of motion and rhythm while suggesting the awesome energy and power found in nature.

If you’d like to learn how to paint landscapes or “loosen up” your technique, join me this fall in my adult art classes. Registration is open and there are only a couple of spots left, so e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information,

Or, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 for more details.

Fire and Gold oil painting

August 9, 2010

oil on canvas • 36″ x 48″

I used to love it as a kid when my parents would take me to the forest preserves near our home outside of Chicago. We would spend the whole day bike riding, picnicking and being immersed in nature and I relished this time with my family. In Fire and Gold I wanted to recreate those warm memories, choosing reds and yellows of autumn to heighten those happy feelings and using energetic strokes with my paint reminiscent of a carefree, simpler time.

Autumn Pulse oil painting

August 6, 2010

11” x 14” oil on board

I created this autumn scene with palette knife and extremely thick oil paint to achieve texture and suggest the energy found in nature. Can you feel the breeze blowing through the leaves?

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.

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.

Lincoln Park Arts & Music Festival – this weekend – Chicago, IL

July 28, 2010

Birch Study

5” x 7” oil painting by Niki Gulley

Fresh off the easel! Extremely thick oil paint with lots of movement and texture. If interested in purchasing or seeing other birch studies, contact me at Niki@NikiGulley.com. These miniature paintings look great in pairs and threes! Or, stop by my painting booth this weekend in Chicago at the Lincoln Park Arts & Music Festival. See http://www.chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=189 for more information.

Autumn Symphony pastel

July 21, 2010

Pastel • 24” x 36”

This is a quiet, protected creek by our house that I like escaping to when I need a break from city life. On this perfect autumn day, there was the gentlest of breezes rustling the leaves, the vibrant fall foliage was at its peak and the only sounds to be heard came from the trickling of the nearby waterfall and the birds’ sweet melodies.

To see this pastel in person, visit my booth, #B212, at the State Street Art Show in Ann Arbor, MI that runs from today through Saturday. a2statestreetartfair.com

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.

Miniature Poppy oil painting

July 9, 2010

Poppy study II by Niki Gulley

5″ x 7″

I created this second 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 Madison, Wisconsin’s Art Fair on the Square this weekend. For more details on the show, see mmoca.org.

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com

Or e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.