Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Niki Gulley Paintings "Flowing Light"


"Flowing Light" Original Oil Painting by Niki Gulley
36" x 60"

You walk down a path sheltered by autumn drenched trees, intrigued by the light flowing through the leaves and branches, casting shadows, colors changing with each gentle breeze, sunlight cascading down your pathway. Peaceful, tranquil this painting flows around the canvas capturing the memory of autumn: lush crisp colors, crunchy leaves and a walk through the woods Walt Whitman would have envied. "Flowing Light" is oil on canvas, 36" x 60" and is available for purchase.

To see "Flowing Light" and more of my textured palette knife oil paintings in person, stop by my booth at Art City Austin, the premier juried outdoor art festival in Austin, TX, April 2-3. I'll be at booth #328 – on Cesar Chavez St. between San Antonio & Guadalupe Streets. Visit artallianceaustin.org/art_city_austin.html for details.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Tuscany Plein Air Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley

“Doorway to the Past” ©2011 Niki Gulley
Pastel • 10” x 8”

From our last Tuscany workshop, we found this quiet alleyway and were immediately attracted to the unique doorways, cobblestone walkway, and stacked stone archways. The aging brick had so much character and the passageway was filled with warm light and dramatic shadows, making it a perfect afternoon painting spot.

If you'd like to join us Sept. 2-10 for our next Tuscany Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13. With limited space and a final registration deadline of April 9th quickly approaching, we suggest registering soon.

To see "Doorway to the Past" and more of my paintings in person, stop by my booth at Art City Austin, a premier juried outdoor art festival in Austin, TX, April 2-3. I'll be at booth #328 – on Cesar Chavez St. between San Antonio & Guadalupe Streets. Visit ArtAllianceAustin.org /art_city_austin.html for details.


Saturday, March 26, 2011

Painting in Tuscany with Niki Gulley

"Autumn Harvest," Tuscany ©2011 Niki Gulley
pastel • 24" x 36"

I was inspired to paint this pastel of the beautiful rolling Tuscan hills and vineyards after our last Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop that my husband and I taught in Tuscany. Not only were the views amazing, but the food and the wine were absolutely delicious, too!

From our last Tuscany workshop: Part of group pictured while touring this 300 year old wine cellar, always run by the same family.


If you'd like to join us Sept. 2-10 for our next Tuscany Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13. With limited space and a final registration deadline of April 9th quickly approaching, we suggest registering soon.

To see "Autumn Harvest" and more of my paintings in person, stop by my booth at Art City Austin, a premier juried outdoor art festival in Austin, TX, April 2-3. I'll be at booth #328 – on Cesar Chavez St. between San Antonio & Guadalupe Streets. Visit ArtAllianceAustin.org /art_city_austin.html for details.


Thursday, March 24, 2011

"Aqua Dreams," New textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

"Aqua Dreams" ©2011 Niki Gulley
36" x 60" textured oil on canvas

When we arrived at this tranquil spot, the early morning light was very cool in color, but as the sun began to rise from the horizon, it shone this beautiful warm light that shimmered on the water's surface and cast its hope of what was to come from the brand new day. I remember the peacefulness I felt in that moment, and a sense that anything was possible. In Aqua Dreams, by showing the contrast in the cool aqua/blues in the foreground waters against the warm golden glow on the distant pond's edge, I wanted to share that feeling of hope and promise communicated by nature.

For more information on this painting, e-mail Niki Gulley
or to see more of my textured palette knife paintings,

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tuscany Plein Air Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley

"Sienna Passageway" ©2011 Niki Gulley
SOLD • pastel • 10" x 8"

Just sold! I painted this pastel of Sienna, Italy on our last Plein Air Painting & Photography workshop that my husband and I taught in Tuscany. Sienna is such an interesting town, with the narrow cobble streets forming a labyrinth of passageways, the energy of the people in the central square, the ancient stone architecture and unusual adornments, and the picturesque views from the rambling hillsides. We just love it!

From our last Tuscany workshop, one of my students composing her painting of one of the picturesque Tuscan hill towns.

If you'd like to join us for our next Tuscany Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop, Sept. 2 -10, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information, or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13. With limited space and a final registration deadline of April 9th quickly approaching, let me know if you'd like to join us!

Friday, March 18, 2011

Artscape at the Dallas Arboretum - March 18-20

"Spring Blooms II," Dallas Arboretum ©2011 Niki Gulley
9" x 12" oil painting

To see more of my paintings, stop by my booth at Artscape, an outdoor art show at the Dallas Arboretum this weekend, http://www.dallasarboretum.org/artscape/index.htm.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Texas Bluebonnets & Indian Paintbrush painting by Niki Gulley


“Rhapsody in Blue” ©2011 Niki Gulley
Oil on canvas • 30” x 40”

When I was a teenager my grandparents moved to Texas and I loved coming down from Chicago to visit them. I remember the first time I saw a massive field of bluebonnets and I was awestruck by the expanse of color. It was amazing that such tiny flowers when planted in mass could form a solid sea of blue. I wanted to relive those fond family memories by recreating those exciting bluebonnet and Indian Paintbrush displays I remember seeing for the first time in "Rhapsody in Blue." Using this interesting weathered farm house in Marble Falls and painting it engulfed in one of our prolific bluebonnet and Indian Paintbrush displays perfectly captures those memories.

To see more of my Texas wildflower paintings, stop by my booth at Artscape, an outdoor art show at the Dallas Arboretum this weekend http://www.dallasarboretum.org/artscape/index.htm.

To see more of my textured oil paintings, visit my website at NikiGulley.com or
e-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Poppy Field oil painting by Niki Gulley


"What Dreams May Come" ©2011 Niki Gulley
36" x 48" oil on canvas

In this painting I wanted to create a dream-like feel using one of my favorite flowers, the poppy, so I chose to paint this landscape at dusk as the sun is starting to set over the distant hills to add to that mood. I love the wildflower masses in the foreground creating waves of color, and the curving shapes adding to the sense of tranquility. I was mesmerized watching the cinematography in the movie “What Dreams May Come” and my painting reminded me a little of those magical graphics, so I decided to title my piece the same.

To see more of my textured oil paintings, go to NikiGulley.com,
or please stop by my booth at the Dallas Arboretum's Artscape art show next weekend
(March 18-20), dallasarboretum.org/artscape/index.htm, where I will be exhibiting
"What Dreams May Come" along with several of my other new palette knife paintings.

E-mail me at Niki Gulley if you would like more information.



Wednesday, March 9, 2011

"Transformation" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley


"Transformation" ©2011 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 48" x 60" oil painting

Rather than create an exact replica of the forest, I wanted to focus on brilliant color and simple shapes to see if I could communicate the excitement I feel when surrounded by nature. Using energetic diagonal strokes and thick, textured paint, I hope you get a sense of the motion in the leaves and the power of nature to invigorate your spirit. I just love how this piece captured that essence!

To see more of my textured oil paintings, go to NikiGulley.com.

Or, e-mail me at Niki Gulley if you would like more information.


Monday, March 7, 2011

New Sunflower Painting by Niki Gulley

"Sunny Side Up" ©2011 Niki Gulley
30" x 48" oil painting

In Sunny Side Up, I wanted to paint something bright and happy that would always cause you to smile when you looked at it, and sunflowers are the perfect flower to do just that. Purposely choosing bright complimentary colors and using extremely thick oil paint, I feel the painting really leaps off the canvas and creates the feeling of joy I intended.

If you'd like to see this sunflower painting in person, visit my booth at "Artscape" held at the Dallas Arboretum next weekend (March 18-20.) See dallasarboretum.org/artscape/index.htm for more details.

Or, e-mail me at Niki Gulley if you would like more information or to purchase this painting.

To see more of my textured oil paintings, go to NikiGulley.com.

Friday, March 4, 2011

New Aspen Tree painting & canvas prints by Niki Gulley


"Scarlet Emergence" ©2011 Niki Gulley
36" x 60" oil painting

I wanted this painting to be about the power and energy in nature to invigorate your spirit more so than an exact replica of the forest, so I chose to use warm vivid colors and thick staccato strokes to add to that feeling. I placed the foliage in diagonal sweeping shapes to create a sense of movement, so that you can feel the wind gently rustling the leaves and causing them to dance.

If you'd like to see this aspen painting in person, stop by my booth at "Art in the Square" in Frisco, Texas this weekend. See friscosquare.com/AITS for more details.

And, I've just released a limited edition stretched canvas print of
"Scarlet Emergence" in two sizes:

18" x 30" for $295
26" x 40" for $595
With only 100 signed and numbered prints in the series, these canvases are sure to go quickly so e-mail me at Niki Gulley if you are interested in purchasing.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Three Days Left for Tuscany Painting Workshop w/ Niki Gulley


"View from Montepulciano" Tuscany, Italy

SOLD • 14" x 11" pastel by Niki Gulley


Join us for our next Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop in Tuscany, Sept. 2 -10. In addition to daily painting and/or photography excursions, there will also be day trips into the surrounding hill towns, along with winery tours, museum visits in Florence and plenty of gorgeous Italian countryside. The villa we stay at sits atop a hill with 360 degree panoramic views of the surrounding area, it has all modern convinces, plus wifi and a swimming pool. This truly is La Dolce Vita, so don’t wait until the last minute to sign up.






The early deadline for a $400 discount is just a couple days away!






E-mail Niki Gulley for more information, or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13.

From our last Tuscany workshop, everyone enjoying a delicious Italian dinner al fresco after a fun-filled day of painting, photographing and sightseeing in the Tuscan countryside.