“April Blooms III” ©2009 Niki Gulley 7″ x 5″ oil

Here is another bluebonnet scene that I happened across while visiting Cleburne in the springtime. I was attracted to the quaintness of the stone cottage at the top of the hill and the bluebonnets blooming below, with a few other wildflowers dotting the hillside. For more information on this painting, email me at niki@nikigulley.com. Or, you can also see this painting and other bluebonnet scenes at the Dutch Art Gallery as part of the Texas Daily Painters show. If you missed the reception on Saturday, you’ve got to stop by the show! There were so many wonderful paintings and I really enjoyed meeting all of the Texas artists who made it to the opening.

“April Blooms” ©2009 Niki Gulley
7″ x 5″ oil

This little painting was inspired by last year’s bluebonnets in Ennis. I almost thought I was looking at a lake from the distance and when we drove closer, the lake turned out to be thousands of wildflowers! I’ll be displaying this piece and several others at the Daily Painters of Texas show at the Dutch Art Gallery in Dallas, which starts today and continues through Nov. 30th. This is an amazing group of talented artists, and I am honored to be part of their show. I hope you can stop by the gallery this afternoon for the reception!

Before we stopped in Paris, we visited the Alsace region on the eastern edge of France near the German/Swiss border. Known for their sweet white wines and pastel colored cross-timber houses, we fell in love with the area. In this quiet spot we enjoyed a delicious quiche and a glass of riesling, and I just had to capture the moment!

I’m excited to unveiling this piece and several others from our European and Asian adventures this year at our East Meets West collector’s party Friday night, and continuing throughout the weekend as part of the White Rock Artists’ Studio tour. For more information about the studio tour and to see my featured painting, visit http://www.dallasartsrevue.com/WhiteRock/.

Paris is definitely one of the most romantic cities in the world. So in this painting, I really wanted to convey that magic and romance. Between the ethereal fountains, the blue glow from twilight, the twinkling of the night lights, and a pair of lovers stealing a kiss in the shadows, I am transported back to our first perfect night in Paris.

To see more of my new paintings from Paris, visit https://www.nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=314. I’ll also have these on display at the White Rock Artists’ Studio Tour, where over 40 artists working around White Rock Lake in Dallas open their homes & studios for the public to see. Stop by our studio Sat. or Sun. Oct. 17th & 18th from 10am – 5pm and we’ll supply maps for the rest of the tour. We look forward to seeing you then!

Not as frequent as the corner café, but still prevalent in each neighborhood in Paris, you’ll find the local flower shop. In this painting I was drawn in by the beautiful blooms adorning the sidewalk. I like the contrast of the reds, yellows and whites of the flower bouquets against the brilliant cobalt blue of the building.

For more information on this paint, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

This café scene was inspired from our spring trip to Paris. The corner café is such a quintessential ingredient in Parisian life, that it was one of the first subjects I just had to paint from our journey. I love how you can sit for several hours in the afternoon sipping your coffee, people watching and decompressing without anyone rushing you. In this painting, I wanted to capture this brief moment in time on a typical day in Paris.

If you’d like to see this painting or more Paris scenes from our trip, we will be unveiling our new work from Asia and Europe at our collectors party, East Meets West, on Oct. 16th. And, continuing on Oct. 17th and 18th as part of the White Rock Artists’ Studio tour in Dallas. Please stop by and we will provide maps for the 40 other artists on the tour this year.

My current session of art classes is ending next Tuesday, and it’s been a fantastic group of students! Several are returning for my next session starting Oct. 20th and 21st, but I still have a couple of spots available. If you’d like to  join us, please let me know – space fills up quickly!

Adult Art Classes

“Playing with Color” – Through guidance, encouragement and suggestion, learn how to create gorgeous paintings. With enrollment limited to six students, receive personalized attention similar to what you would experience in private lessons. Bring your favorite medium and develop your skills in oils, watercolors or pastels. Price for all levels: $185

Tuesdays Oct. 20th – Nov. 24th

Day Class: 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

Evening Class: 7 pm – 9 pm

Wednesdays Oct. 21st – Nov. 25th

12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

• Maximum class size of 6.
• Make-up lessons available during opposite class times.
• Near the intersection of Northwest Hwy. and Abrams Rd. in Dallas
  

Email Niki, nikigulley@sbcglobal.net if you are interested!

For more information about the painting at right, visit http://nikigulley.blogspot.com

After a month of painting in the studio, I’m excited to see everyone at Cottonwood Art Festival this weekend and hear your thoughts on my new work. In its 40th year, Cottonwood is one of my favorite art shows with only the highest quality artists, and set in a lovely tree-lined park in Richardson, Texas. I look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Cottonwood Art Festival
Sat. Oct. 3 • 9am – 6pm
Sun. Oct. 4 • 9am – 6pm
Richardson, TX • Cottonwood Park at Coit & Beltline
http://www.CottonwoodArtFestival.com

To find out more about my painting at right, visit http://nikigulley.blogspot.com

Here are two more textured oil paintings in my new aspen series that I’ll be showing for the first time at the Cottonwood Art Festival Oct. 3rd and 4th. After working on larger, more detailed landscapes, I love painting these small, energetic pieces. They are so freeing!