This painting is inspired from a trip to Tuscany we took a few years ago when my husband, who is a professional photographer, and I spent about a week scouring every inch of the countryside for the best poppy fields and views. I was particularly drawn to this peaceful scene, even if the poppies weren’t as prolific as in other fields. I loved the calming, sweeping shapes of the hills and the vibrant reds contrasting against the softer grasses and white wildflowers. The road beckons you back to the stone farmhouse in the distance, while dramatic voluminous clouds dance across the sky, mimicking the foreground shapes and creating a sense of harmony. Repeating colors throughout, I love how the Impressionists used vibrant hues to add to the mood of a scene and create flow, so I brought my contemporary approach with broad strokes and thick texture to their traditions. I hope you, too, can feel a sense of peace and joy when you gaze into this Tuscan landscape.
New “Cloud Gazing” Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley
Just Sold through the Good Art Company Gallery! Inspirerd by a trip to Italy, my husband wanted to stop and photograph this lone stone building. I was also attracted to its glowing white facade in the dramatic light that often fills Tuscany. The clouds above were so voluminous and massive compared to the small structure below, that the contrast really gives you a sense of the open space and surrounding hillsides. Capturing the drama of the sky and the joy in the poppy-filled hillside with palette knife while leaving my strokes loose and free, all add to the energy of that moment. I hope you, too, can feel the peace and happiness of being surrounded by nature in all of its glory, staring into the clouds while dreaming about what the future holds.
New “Pop of Color” Palette Knife Poppy Painting by Niki Gulley
Inspired from a wonderful trip to Tuscany, I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of joy and energy. Set beneath a colorful sky on a beautiful day in springtime with the poppies and wildflowers in full bloom, I hope all of your cares drift away and your spirit is lifted while gazing into this cheerful scene.
Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my colorful landscape palette knife paintings.
New “Visions of Wildflowers” Palette Knife Bluebonnet Oil Painting by Niki Gulley
For more information on “Visions of Wildflowers” series, please contact my gallery, the Good Art Company, in Fredericksburg, TX at goodartcompany.com/gacart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25&sort=20a&page=1&z.
Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.
New “Visions of Wildflowers II” Palette Knife Bluebonnet Oil Painting by Niki Gulley
New Seascape Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley
I was asked to create a custom painting for my long time collector’s bedroom that would harmonize with the colors of her room, coordinate with the other four paintings she’d collected from me, and include a water feature. Having just come back from Ireland, I knew exactly what to paint. I was mesmerized by the waves hitting the beach on the Dingle Peninsula. The cathartic sounds of the ocean, the smell of sea water, the craggy rock formations surrounding the cove and the peacefulness of that moment, were what I set out to capture in this special painting.
“Autumn Concerto III” Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley
Painted on location, I returned again to capture this beautiful birch grove. This time I pulled in even closer to concentrate on the light and shadows of the crisp, white trunks. Getting in tighter created more of an abstract composition and I could focus on the rhythm and harmony of the shapes of the branches and foliage, while also capturing the beautiful sounds of the leaves rustling to nature’s morning symphony.
New Maple Treetops Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley
New Fall Foliage Drive Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley
Every day we were in New England, we’d drive through this gorgeous fall canopy. So one morning when the light was sparkling through the leaves, I decided to set my easel up along the road to capture its beauty and mystery. I loved the curve of the road beckoning you into the autumn glow. The dappled light also created a warmth leading your eye through the painting, onto the journey ahead.
“Fall Majesty” Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley
Painted on location during our fall foliage tour, I was drawn to this beautiful mountain overlook with the autumn colors glowing in all of their glory. The brilliant golden aspen leaves contrasted against the cobalt violet hills in the distance, created an excitement and energy. The rainbow of foliage in-between also added to the joy of being surrounded by nature on a perfect October day.










