Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley Paints New Sunflower Series

July 23, 2026

24″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

The past few weeks have been absolutely gorgeous for painting outside and revel in the cool mountain air. Our flowers on the deck are so colorful and uplifting that I had to share that joy with you. Unfortunately, my green thumb skills need a little work as my sunflower seeds have not sprouted. But, fortunately I have a vivid imagination and can paint them exactly as I wished they’d bloomed.

There is one thing I did leave out of the scene, though. As I was nearing the end of the painting, I had an unexpected visitor in our yard. Thank goodness I was on the upper deck, but still, this large papa bear was only about 20 feet away – yikes! The hazards of plein-air painting.

Click here to see the video of him: https://www.facebook.com/ScottWilliamsPhotography/posts/pfbid0XSQpDaomcPxhtR6pTn5m5VfkSpq619CstwwVXd19xRrmgicinwW8TqqLtYrEFCQ8l.

Despite a moment of heart failure there, I’m so happy with how these cheerful flowers turned out. May they bring some much needed happiness and sunshine to your day!

To see a video of the finished painting, the inspiration behind it and a close up on the texture detail, check out. https://www.instagram.com/p/DaDj94ZCYuv/.

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my sunflower and wildflower fields paintings.

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

Poppy Field in Tuscany by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 22, 2026

“Pops of Summer”

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

Day 7, Pienza: TUSCANY FOODIE TREK

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

My husband and I lead a Foodie Trek to Tuscany almost every year, and I’ve always been attracted to this lone grouping of cypress trees. I love trying to capture it in different ways, and mother nature had her hand in me choosing this location today. You see, there was a strong possibility of rain and this is one of the few locations I’ve found in the entire Tuscan countryside with a covered area that could keep me and my painting dry in the case of that liquid sunshine arriving mid-stroke. Fortunately because of the weather, the clouds in the sky were voluminous, beautiful and full of drama. Poppies blooming in the foreground just added to the excitement and energy of the moment. And, luckily I was able to capture the majority of the scene before the storms hit!

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For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

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Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

We will be returning to the gorgeous Swiss Alps in 2027. These Treks are amazing adventures to explore new cultures and be a part of what makes traveling expand your world and enrich your life. Whether you’re a painter, a photographer, food lover or just want to travel in small, friendly groups, this is the trip for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join in the fun as our trips fill up quickly!

Tuscany Foodie Trek
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 3 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

Spain Foodie Trek
March 13-20, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/spain-foodie-2024/

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – Aug. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2027/

Tuscany Foodie Trek
Sept. 25 – Oct. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2027/

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.

Ocean Sunset Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 21, 2026

SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Just SOLD! Painting this piece on location, I wanted to capture the movement in the ocean as the tides lapped along the shoreline. With the waves creating their cathartic rhythmic sounds, I left my strokes loose to convey that energy and motion. There was a beautiful sunset tonight that caused the sky and water’s surface to dance in these ethereal shades of pink and gold. I hope you, too, can feel the peaceful magic in the moment.

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

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

Painting on Location in North Carolina with Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 20, 2026

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Painted on location in Western North Carolina, I fell in love with this gorgeous tree. Gnarly, voluminous and full of curves, it almost reminded me a beautiful Rubinesque figure! Dappled light illuminated its shape, bringing dimension to life, which I had fun capturing with layers of textured paint and my palette knife. Arching over the river, she greets you with much needed shade for respite on this warm, summer day.

For details on more of wildflower or North Carolina paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

“Winding Water” from the Willow City Loop by Niki Gulley

July 17, 2026

16″ x 20″ textured mixed media painting on canvas panel

Painted on location along the Willow City Loop in Fredericksburg, TX, I was drawn to this tranquil spot, especially as the day was getting hotter. When I started the scene, there were just a few shadows being cast from the trees on the right but they kept growing as I was painting! I liked the rhythm they were creating so I decided to include their patterns and go ahead and chase the light (which is a no no for plein air painters). But there’s always exceptions to the rules, right? I hope you enjoy this cool peaceful place as much as I did.

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

Or, if you are in the Madison, WI area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at Art Fair on the Square.

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

“Old Orchard Beach” Painting in Maine by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 16, 2026

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

What a fabulous day! Sun is shining. Waves are crashing. Seagulls are screaming. And, I’ve got my toes in the sand. We’ve landed on Old Orchard Beach in Maine just soaking up the beautiful scenery. Hope you can feel the beautiful ocean breezes and hear the cathartic sound of the tide, too!

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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.

“Morning in Paradise” Palette Knife Seashore painting by Niki Gulley

July 15, 2026

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

I wanted this painting to be about the power of the ocean to lift your spirits. Painting this piece on location, I strove to capture the sparkle the sun cast across the turquoise waters as it slowly rose above the horizon. Creating bobbing diamonds of sparkling light across the surface was truly mesmerizing to watch.

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

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

Palette Knife Painting in Iceland with Niki Gulley

July 14, 2026

20″ x 10” textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley

Just Sold! Another quaint house in this idyllic Icelandic landscape. Another challenging painting day in 40 mph winds! And yet another painting created from the rental car’s front seat. Are you picking up a trend??? I really did love their picturesque front yard, the beautiful golden afternoon light, and how flattered the home owner was that I was capturing his house!

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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NikiGulley.com

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If you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks! We have just a couple of spots for Iceland this August.

Iceland
August 3-10, 2026

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek

September 26 – October 3, 2026

Only a couple spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026

Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-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.

Palette Knife Abstract Seascape Painting by Artist Niki Gulley

July 13, 2026

24″ x 24″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

We’re taking a break from fall foliage to soak up some warmth and sunshine along North Carolina’s Outer Banks coast. Listen to those rhythmic ocean waves! Talk about relaxing and just what the doctor ordered. Letting the sounds guide me and going with the flow of the moment, I left this one loose with abstract passages. I hope you can feel the joy and energy in this painting, and escape with me.

To see a video of this painting and location, visit https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyn0LbiOUhw/.

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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.

Serenity Now! Escape with Artist Niki Gulley to the Outer Banks

July 10, 2026

12″ x 24″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

After nine days of grey, cold and sometimes rainy weather, I really needed to warm up and soak up some Vitamin D sunshine. So, we took a detour from fall foliage and headed to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. We found an amazing campsite right on the water, and this was our view out our window for the next 2 days! While a little windy our first night, the next morning I woke to beautiful, calm blue waters and I just had to paint that serene view. Those 2 hammocks were calling my name to just relax. I hope you can escape with me into this peaceful, cathartic seascape.

To purchase, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/serenity-now/.

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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.