My Blog – Page 295

Stone Arch Art Festival – this weekend

June 16, 2010

36″ x 48″ oil painting

I find being immersed in nature can have such an uplifting effect, and I wanted to share that feeling with you in Natural Rhythms so I chose pure, intense colors to create a vibrant autumn scene that just makes you feel happy and alive when you look at it. The repetition in the birch trunks and fallen leaves, combined with the flickering sounds of the breeze rustling the foliage reminded me of a symphony in the forest so I titled this painting Natural Rhythms.

If you’re in the Minneapolis area this weekend, visit my art booth at the Stone Arch Art Festival. See StoneArchFestival.com for details on the art show.

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

Zen Garden oil painting

June 14, 2010

10″ x 8″ oil painting

Having grown up in Chicago, this painting is inspired by the Japanese Garden at the Chicago Botanic Gardens since I’ve always loved their grounds ever since I was a little kid. In fact, I painted this piece from a photo I took in high school and have held onto all of these years! I thought it would be fun to paint the scene in thick oil with palette knives. I especially like how the broken color strokes on the water make it look like its surface is shimmering in the sun.

To purchase Zen Garden, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Or, if you’re in the Chicago area, stop by my booth at Evanston’s Fountain Square Art Festival June 26th & 27th,

chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=123.

Nightfall III, Chicago pastel

June 11, 2010

10″ x 8″ pastel

In contrast to the ghost town downtown Dallas can sometimes be at night, I love the energy pulsing through downtown Chicago, especially near Michigan Avenue. Besides the excitement in all of the activity, I like how everything is illuminated and the way the lights sparkle. In Nightfall III, I wanted to contrast the deep purple I saw in the John Hancock building against the glowing Water Tower in front of it, and am pleased with the dreamy effect.

To view this pastel in person, visit my booth at the Wells Street Art Show in Chicago this weekend. See chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=141 for more information.

Or, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

NikiGulley.com

Nightfall II, Chicago pastel

June 9, 2010

10″ x 8″ pastel

I wanted to paint a Chicago landmark in a unique way, so I chose this photo of mine to work from of Buckingham Fountain at night. I love how the lights after dark create a dreamy, romantic feel to most scenes, especially when reflecting on water. I remember hearing the symphony in the background synchronizing with the lights on the fountain and creating such a magical night.

To purchase this painting, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Or, stop by my booth at the Wells Street Art Show in Chicago this weekend to see it in person, chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=141.

June 7, 2010

pastel • 8″ x 10″

The idea for Twilight Sail came from taking a river boat cruise on Lake Michigan just as the sun was starting to set behind the Chicago skyline. The buildings became slightly silouetted and the sunlight created a beautiful shimmer on the water’s surface that I had to capture. If you’d like to see this pastel in person and you’re in Chicago this weekend, stop by my booth at the Wells Street Art Festival, chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=141.

Autumn Birch Study II

June 5, 2010

7″ x 5″ oil by Niki Gulley

This autumn birch study is painted with extremely thick oil paint and a palette knife. I like how the staccato strokes add to the sense of movement in the leaves and grasses, and even makes it feel like the forest is dancing with life.

To purchase this painting, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Autumn Birch Study

June 3, 2010

7″ x 5″ oil by Niki Gulley

I painted this fall birch study with extremely thick oil paint and a palette knife. I love the movement in the strokes which contribute to the feeling of the leaves blowing in the breeze and the energy found in nature.

Birch Trees oil painting

June 1, 2010

Birch trees oil painting by Niki Gulley • 5″ x 7″

This birch tree study was painted with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives.

Thailand beaches oil painting

May 29, 2010

Ocean Study

oil painting by Niki Gulley • 5″ x 7″

This ocean study was inspired by the fascinating karst rock formations and gorgeous turquoise waters that we saw on our trip to the Phuket area of Thailand. It was created with thick oil paint and palette knives.

Sunset Ocean study

May 27, 2010

Sunset Study