My Blog

New Cheerful Sunflower Painting of the Blue Ridge Mountains by Niki Gulley

June 5, 2026

SOLD • 48″ x 36″ textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

Just sold! This piece is all about capturing that feeling of wandering through a summer meadow where every color of the rainbow seems to be blooming at once. My palette knife allows me to build up those chunky, textured strokes that make the flowers feel dimensional and alive. Painting the sunflowers full-sized in the foreground helps to bring them to life and hopefully transport you to this happy location. Including surprising pops of vivid reds and purples keeps your eye moving throughout the scene, seeing new things each time you look at it, and adds to the joyful feeling.

Or, if you would prefer a print on canvas, please e-mail Niki Gulley for details.

NikiGulley.com

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Capturing Rhododendrons in NC with Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

June 4, 2026

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

This summer we hiked the Appalachian Trail along Carver’s Gap to see the breathtaking Rhododendrons blooming along Roan Mountain. Not only were the flowers spectacular, bursting with every shade of red from magenta and pink to tangerine orange, but the mountain views were so inspiring. On one side you could see for miles into Tennessee and on the other side ridge after ridge of North Carolina. I hope you enjoy the peace and beauty as you escape into this gorgeous hike!

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.

Asheville Artist Niki Gulley Exhibits at the North Carolina Arboretum “Art in Azaleas” Exhibit

June 3, 2026

“Arched Beauty” ©2026 Niki Gulley
20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

I love the vivid warm colors of the Arboretum’s Azaleas popping against the complimentary green hues of the foliage. It is such a peaceful escape to wander the trails and discover something new around every bend. Choosing a vertical panoramic format for this one invites you to admire the azaleas, continue along your path towards the light and the beautiful forested canopy in the distance, all while lifting your spirits.

I’m excited that this piece was chosen to exhibit at the NC Arboretum’s Native Azalea Art Show!

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

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

Painting Bursting with Colorful Wildflowers by Niki Gulley

June 2, 2026

20″ x 30″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

While we had already made the 4 hour round trip drive and hiked several miles in the rain previously this week, we couldn’t get enough of these beautiful rhododendrons and mountain views. So, the weather looked much clearer and we decided to trek it a second time. Again, so worth the time and effort. The explosion of color from the flowers and the majestic blue ridge vistas filled our hearts with such awe and joy. Here I wanted to capture that uplifting feeling for you with thick, textured paint and my palette knife dancing across the canvas. May you be immersed in the cathartic grandeur of mother nature!

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.

Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley Painting in Tuscany

June 1, 2026

18″ x 18″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

I couldn’t resist painting in this beautiful rose garden in Tuscany. I was attracted to these bountiful climbing roses framing the villa in the distance as they stretched across this arched trellis. May you be transported to this beautiful, happy place!

For details on more of my Tuscany and Italy 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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If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

“Cypress Glory II” Palette Knife Tuscany Painting by Niki Gulley

May 29, 2026

SOLD • 10″ x 20″ textured oil painting

I absolutely love Tuscany and find inspiration everywhere I look. Tonight I set up my easel alongside the road, drawn to this long cypress driveway which I figured would be silhouetted against the setting sun. As luck would have it, mother nature provided a symphony of colors across the sky and I worked quickly to establish the beautiful, golden light that was cast across the rolling hills and stone farmhouse. I hope you, too, can enjoy the glory that is Tuscany!

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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 a couple of spots open up for our trip this September. Please let us know if you would like to join us. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland

August 3-10, 2026

Only 1 spot left!
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 4 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.

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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

“Country Road” Textured Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

May 28, 2026

10″ x 20 textured oil painting on canvas panel

New England in the fall is breathtakingly beautiful! The autumn leaves explode with a symphony of crimson and gold that makes my heart leap with joy. Add to that this picturesque, quaint country road and I just had to get out my paints to capture the storybook setting. I hope this scene transports you to a simpler time and place!

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For more details on my other colorful fall foliage paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

“Interpreting Impressionism” by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

May 27, 2026

20″ x 16″ textured oil painting on canvas

Painted at a park near my home, I loved all of the spring colors surrounding this peaceful pond. Having fun working with complimentary colors much like the impressionists and utilizing large textured strokes, cause this piece to dance with joy and energy. May you escape with me into nature’s beauty!

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on palette knife landscape paintings.

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

New “Colorful Ripples” by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

May 26, 2026

18″ x 24″ textured oil painting on canvas

Painted at a park near my home, I loved all of the spring colors reflected in this pond pond. Having fun working with surprising pops of color and utilizing large textured strokes, cause this piece to dance with joy and energy. May you escape with me into nature’s beauty!

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on palette knife landscape paintings.

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

“Cypress Glory” Tuscany Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

May 25, 2026

SOLD • 10″ x 20″ textured oil painting

Before my husband and I led our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we spent a couple of days capturing the gorgeous scenery on film and on canvas. On this first night, I set up my easel alongside the road, drawn to this long cypress driveway which I figured would be silhouetted against the setting sun. As luck would have it, mother nature provided a symphony of colors across the sky and I worked quickly to establish the beautiful, golden light that was cast across the rolling hills and stone farmhouse. I hope you, too, can enjoy the glory that is Tuscany!

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