I wanted this painting to be about the power and energy in nature to invigorate your spirit, so I chose to use warm vivid colors contrasted against cool underbrush while utilizing thick staccato strokes to add to that feeling. I placed the fall foliage in curving sweeping shapes to create a sense of movement, so that you can feel the wind gently rustling the leaves and causing them to dance on a beautiful fall day.
New “Dreams Ahead” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley
Enjoying the melodic tinkling of the aspen leaves rustling in the breeze, the trickling sounds of the babbling brook at our backs, and the beauty of fall ablaze with color, I felt invigorated as I began painting this aspen forest. The setting was so peaceful and rejuvenating that I wanted to communicate that joyful feeling of discovery. Filling the canvas with energetic staccato strokes and bold colors, in addition to gently arching the tree trunks reaching towards the sky, add to that uplifting feeling. And then just a sliver of the trail cutting through the forest, suggests the excitement of the journey that is to come.
Just Sold – “Kaleidoscope of Dreams” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley
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.
Canvas Prints now Available: While the original oil painting is sold, I do have canvas prints of “Kaleidoscope of Dreams” available. Four 24″ x 24″ canvases are stretched on 3/4 inch stretcher bars with the image continuing around the edges to form a 48″ x 48″ quadriptych that does not need to be framed, just like the original . I have also added thick paint in some of the leaves and trunks to add even more texture and making each print one of a kind. Finally, I have coated the canvases with a UV varnish to protect the paintings. The canvases can be hung right up next to each other or spread apart by a few inches to come out to a maximum of 53″ x 53″. I can also make other sizes or stretch Kaleidoscope of Dreams on deep 1 and 1/2 inch stretcher bars for an additional fee. Please contact me at Niki Gulley for more information on the original painting or canvas prints.
Or, to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings online, visit NikiGulley.com.
Just Sold – “Fire and Gold” – Textured Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley
I love the first signs of fall – the crisp feel in the air, the crunching of leaves underfoot, the beautiful autumn colors, and being totally immersed in nature in the middle of a forest without a care in the world. In Fire and Gold I wanted to recreate that joyful feeling, choosing warm reds and yellows of autumn and using energetic strokes with my paint to heighten that mood. Building up first thin transparent layers and then thick textured layers of oil paint also add to a certain glow and magic in the final piece.
Last Day, Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 5, Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

The Roman bridge, dating from 3 BC and constructed without mortar, is an architectural marvel that was still driven on until 2005! After surveying the bridge, we headed back to our b and b. Dinner that night was traditional Provencal fare, including fresh vegetables, fish, meats, and goat cheeses loaded with delicious sauces, garlic and butter. Yum!

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams, Lavender Fields
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Painting and Photographing Lavender Fields in Provence with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Visiting Aix-en-Provence with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Today we checked out of our hotel and headed to Provence’s cultural hub and Cezanne’s home, Aix-en-Provence. After visiting its famous Cours Mirabeau boulevard, lined with cafés and plane trees and its morning produce and flower market, we parted from the photographers and set up our easels at this picturesque fountain courtyard. Having several hours to paint, we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful day and each painter’s unique view of the scene. Some focused on the fountain, others on the architecture and some on the nearby cafés. Everyone’s painting turned out great!
Next, we headed deep into the lavender country to our picturesque b and b, where we spent the rest of the trip. And, of course we completed the day with another delicious meal!
Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams, Day 2
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
7″ x 5″ textured oil painting
In the afternoon we went to one of the most renowned wine towns in the world and sampled some amazing Chateaunef du Pape wines.
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.















