Harmonious Hues

September 22, 2009
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“Harmonious Hues” series by Niki Gulley
oils on canvas • 12″ x 12″

I am really excited about the new paintings I’ve been creating for the Cottonwood Art Festival. I started playing around with thick oil paint and lots of texture early last spring, and the positive response to this new style has been incredible!

Here are a couple of my new seasonal foliage paintings. I love the peeling, knobby bark of the birch trunks, and I feel like I can really recreate that sense of texture by working with thick oil paint and palette knives. I hope you can stop by the Cottonwood Art Festival in Dallas Oct. 3rd & 4th to view them in person, since it’s hard to see their dimension on the computer screen. Each oil painting is 12″ x 12″ and they look great in pairs or threes. I’d love to hear your feedback!

Sunflowers

September 20, 2009

Sunflowers
8″ x 10″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

I set up a still life of sunflowers for my adult art class to paint last week and everyone’s work turned out great! The flowers were beautiful and just the bit of sunshine we needed. Here is one of the studies I completed while demonstrating for the class.

My next set of classes starts Tuesday, Oct. 20th and continues through Nov. 24th from 12:30-2:30 pm and 7-9 pm. I have just a couple of spots left in either class, so if you’d like to join us, contact me soon!

For more information about the sunflowers above or to find out about my next set of classes, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Heavenly Aromas

September 15, 2009

“Heavenly Aromas” ©2009 Niki Gulley

oil painting • 18″ x 48″

Pictured is another one of my new textured floral fields. Can you smell the lavender?

Email me for more information

Sunflower Fields

September 13, 2009

“Sunny Memories” by Niki Gulley
oil painting • 18″ x 48″

I’ve been working on a couple of large pieces for the last month and I’m excited to share the first one with you! There is something about seeing a massive field of flowers that causes me to gasp in awe. I just love the brilliant burst of color. These sunflowers are one of my first in the new series created with palette knife and extremely thick paint. For more information, contact me at niki@nikigulley.com.

Aspen Study

September 11, 2009

“Aspen Study” by Niki Gulley • oil painting • 7″ x 5″
Another aspen study using the palette knife and extremely thick oil paint.

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Birch Study II

September 8, 2009

Birch Study II by Niki Gulley • oil 7″ x 5″

Here is another palette knife creation. I’m having fun being less literal in my birch interpretations and focusing more on color and shape, and letting the viewer’s imagination fill in the rest.

Autumn Birches

September 1, 2009

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“Autumn Birches” ©2009 Niki Gulley
pastel 4″ x 10″

With summer ending, I’m getting excited about fall’s approach. I love when there’s a chill in the air and the leaves start turning colors. Having grown up in the north, I really miss the birch trees with their knotted bark and gorgeous colors. Painting them transports me home!

August 27, 2009

Impressions III, White Rock Lake

Impressions II, White Rock Lake – 5″ x 7″ pastel

Today I revisited the same location at White Rock Lake as last week, but I wanted to paint it completely different this time. I love vibrant color and playing with contrasts in my subject, so today I really had fun. Hope you do, too!