“Reflective Radiance” textured oil painting of Monet’s Garden by Niki Gulley

June 13, 2018
“Reflective Radiance” ©2018 Niki Gulley
Two 48″ x 18″ canvases with one 48″ x 30″ canvas in the middle to form a 48″ x 66″ triptych
Textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

I decided it would be a fun challenge to create an extremely large painting, and I wanted the final piece to be very uplifting, colorful and full of energy. Opting for warm colors and working with extremely thick paint and palette knives, I chose this lily pond reference from our visit to Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, France. The grounds were breathtaking and I could actually see his paintings come to life. I was drawn to the energetic flow and yet calming serenity in this view, and I positioned the water lilies and my paint strokes in a curving pattern to add to that mood. The morning light peeking through the distant foliage added to a sense of mystery and promise that I wanted to capture in paint, and share with you that feeling of hope.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.
 
Visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.
 

 

 
 

“X Marks the Spot” Fall Foliage Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

June 11, 2018
“X Marks the Spot” ©2018 by Niki Gulley
SOLD • 16″ x 20″ original textured oil painting

Just Sold! I painted this piece on location when the fall colors were starting to peak in all of their glory.  I was drawn to how the autumn leaves glowed when back lit by the sun and the water’s surface reflected brilliantly where the light raked across it. Off in the distance, two trees criss crossed almost like they were marking this spot for me to paint! There was a peacefulness created by the rhythmic sounds of the trickling water, and I hope you are transported to this place where all of your cares drift away.

 
To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings online, visit NikiGulley.com.
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her aspen and birch tree palette knife paintings.

“Autumn Serenade II” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

June 8, 2018
“Autumn Serenade II” ©2018 by Niki Gulley
30″ x 40″ original textured oil painting

Flickering autumn leaves seem to almost dance in a gentle breeze. I wanted this scene to be filled with movement and energy, so I incorporated a lot of diagonal and curving shapes in the design to suggest that feeling. Contrasting short staccato strokes against blended passages with my palette knives, also increase that sense of motion. I hope you, too, can feel the excitement of walking through the woods on a beautiful fall day, letting your cares slip away and your spirit being invigorated.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her aspen and birch tree palette knife paintings.

 
 

“Embrace” textured birch oil painting by Niki Gulley

June 1, 2018
“Embrace” ©2018 Niki Gulley
SOLD • textured oil painting • 36″ x 36″ on wrap around canvas
 
Just Sold! I like to play with blurring the lines between realism and abstraction so that some things are left up to the viewer’s imagination. In the case of “Embrace,” I chose this unusual, asymmetrical heart-shaped composition and teased your eye with foreground and background emerging and disappearing to create a more abstract scene. Choosing fiery reds contrasted against turquoise blues cause the colors to dance and vibrate. While diagonal strokes and a circular composition combined with the vibrant hues, create a sense of energy, movement and harmony. Using all of these elements, I wanted to create an uplifting, whimsical, passionate painting filled with youthful hope and discovery.

 
To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.
 
For more information on my palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

“Reclining Thoughts II” Textured Aspen Tree painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

May 30, 2018

“Reclining Thoughts” ©2018 Niki Gulley

40″ x 30” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

In this painting, I wanted you to you to experience the joy of looking up into the treetops – just like you did when you were a kid. Lying on the ground, not a care in the world, you gaze in wonderment as the clouds drift by. Choosing warm yellows, reds and greens and utilizing thick chunky staccato strokes add to that childlike whimsy and I hope you are transported back to a happy, carefree time and place.

 
For more information on my textured palette knife birch and aspen tree oil paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
 
Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

New Palette Knife Treetop Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

May 28, 2018
“What Dreams Are Made Of II” ©2018 by Niki Gulley
48″ x 36″ textured oil painting

In this painting, I wanted you to feel like a little kid again – laying on the ground and staring up into the treetops without a care in the world. I hope you experience the joy of being surrounded by nature and the beauty in this autumn kaleidoscope of colors.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my available palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings.

 
 

Painting and Photographing Don Quixote’s Windmills with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

May 25, 2018
Day 2 – La Mancha, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley
 
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Just Sold! After a day and half in Toledo, we headed to La Mancha, following in Don Quixote’s footsteps. Larger than life and perched on this steep cliff overlooking the surrounding farmland, everyone had a great time trying to capture the giants on canvas or film. After finishing, we drove onto our next destination, Granada, and checked into our hotel. That evening we dined on an 18 course authentic Andalusian dinner while our host taught us all about Spanish foods, customs, wines and sherries. Another fun-filled day and a great way to end the evening!
 
Painting windmills in La Mancha
 
Next summer we will be leading three different Art Treks to Spain, England and Ireland. So if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! See details at ArtTreks.org.
 
Please check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist landscape oil paintings.

Winter Aspen Tree Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

May 25, 2018
“Climbing Trees” ©2018 Niki Gulley
40” x 30” oil on canvas

Growing up in the midwest, I loved the first snowfall of the year when everything would get a beautiful dusting of pristine white powder, including even the tiniest of branches in the treetops above. If you caught that moment early enough in the morning before anything had disturbed the intricate frosted web, it was just magical. Then the sun would start rising and peeking through the limbs, and everything would sparkle like diamonds. In Climbing Trees, I wanted to capture that beautiful moment when the sunlight dances through the icing on the treetops and you can feel yourself looking up in wonderment just like you did when you were a kid.

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E-mail – Niki Gulley for more information on Climbing Trees.

To see more of Niki Gulley’s Palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

Plein Air Oil Painting of Laggos, Portugal by Niki Gulley

May 25, 2018
Laggos, Portugal ©2018 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 5″ x 7″ textured oil painting
 
Just Sold! I wanted this painting to be about the power of the ocean to lift your spirits. Painting this piece on location, as the sun rose, I wanted to capture the gorgeous rock formations and the beautiful colors in the ocean. Whenever I visit the beach I always feel rejuvenated, and I hope I’ve translated that onto the canvas for you to experience it, too.
 
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.

New “Chit Chat” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

May 23, 2018
“Chit Chat” ©2018 Niki Gulley
30″ x 48″ textured oil painting
 
Shimmering in golden light, this backlit grove of aspen trees reaches tall, leaning left and then right towards the sun as it grew. The peeling trunks almost seem to move, even chatting with one another. A few trees weren’t so lucky and lay fallen at their feet, while the whole scene is filled with color, texture and movement to suggest the power of nature and its ability to enhance your spirit.
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her palette knife aspen tree and contemporary landscape paintings.