Monday, February 27, 2017

New Tuscany Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

"Peaceful Pursuit," Tuscany ©2017 Niki Gulley
 30" x 48” textured oil painting on gallery wrap canvas

This painting is inspired from a trip to Tuscany we took a few years ago when my husband, who is a professional photographer, and I spent about a week scouring every inch of the countryside for the best poppy fields and views. I was particularly drawn to this peaceful scene, even if the poppies weren’t as prolific as in other fields. I loved the calming, sweeping shapes of the hills and the vibrant reds contrasting against the softer grasses and white wildflowers. The road beckons you back to the stone farmhouse in the distance, while dramatic voluminous clouds dance across the sky, mimicking the foreground shapes and creating a sense of harmony. Repeating colors throughout, I love how the Impressionists used vibrant hues to add to the mood of a scene and create flow, so I brought my contemporary approach with broad strokes and thick texture to their traditions. I hope you, too, can feel a sense of peace and joy when you gaze into this Tuscan landscape.

Wednesday, February 22, 2017

New "Field of Sunshine III" Palette Knife Sunflower and Poppy Field Painting by Niki Gulley

“Field of Sunshine III" ©2017 Niki Gulley
30" x 48" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Festive blossoms dance in the gentle breeze, filling this field with sweet fragrance.  Voluminous clouds drift by overhead as sun's late light casts its golden glow. This textured oil painting captures a carefree summer day with poppies, sunflowers and wildflowers overflowing the foreground, filling up the landscape with color, texture and joy.

For more information on textured sunflower and poppy paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

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For more information on our plein air painting and photography Art Treks workshops in Europe, please check out ArtTreks.org.

Monday, February 20, 2017

New "Following the Leader" Palette Knife Koi Fish Painting by Niki Gulley


"Following the Leader" ©2017 Niki Gulley
24" x 12" textured oil painting on canvas

I'm excited that this painting was just juried into the Artists of Texas H2O show to be held in Corpus Christi!

Gold, white, tangerine – quicksilver Koi slice through silent waters. Playful, darting fish follow each other up through the composition, while cool colors float and ripple across the painting forming tranquil patterns.  A happy threesome glides by, lifting your spirits as you gaze into this vertical panorama while thick strokes of paint created with palette knife add dimension and movement.

For more information on my textured contemporary landscape paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my palette knife oil paintings.

Friday, February 17, 2017

New "Bridge to Yesterday" Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

“Bridge to Yesterday" ©2017 Niki Gulley
9" x 12"" textured oil painting

I painted "Bridge to Yesterday" on location when we visited New England last October during the height of fall foliage. The kaleidoscope of autumn colors was ablaze, and I was attracted to this brilliant red covered bridge connecting the golden landscape. Choosing this vantage point where you can see some of the river cascading over this rocky edge to the water below, you get a sense of how beautiful the surrounding scenery was on this gorgeous fall morning. Painted with palette knife and thick oil paint, this landscape is filled with color, movement and energy!

If you'd like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops in Vermont, Tuscany and Ireland, please let me know. 
For more details, e-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com or go to ArtTreks.org.

For more information on my textured contemporary landscape paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at: nikigulley.com.

Wednesday, February 15, 2017

New "Along the Shoreline" by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Along the Shoreline” ©2017 Niki Gulley
14" x 18” textured oil painting on canvas

Early on a fall morning the sun breaks softly through leafy branches and casts early autumn’s palette across the creek. Silent water is ruffled by a gentle breeze. Arching over, bending into the quiet waters, a tree arches into the scene – encompassing, embracing. This painting captures the dreamy reflections and tranquil landscape of one of my favorite spots to paint on location near my home. It is painted in the traditional plein air oil manner, incorporating some heavy texture with palette knife.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings. 

See NikiGulley.com to view her textured palette knife oil paintings.

Monday, February 13, 2017

New "Oak Alley" Palette Knife Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

"Oak Alley" ©2017 Niki Gulley
16" x 20" textured oil painting

I painted this colorful oak lined alleyway a couple of weeks ago on location at the Fort Worth Stock Yards. I was attracted to the contrast of light and shadows and the way the oaks lined up to lead you down this dappled path into the background Spanish archway, which was illuminated in glowing whites and yellows by the sun. The colors were duller than this and I wanted a warmer feeling to the scene since it was a chilly morning, so I enhanced the hues to create an uplifting backdrop full of color and energy. Utilizing thick paint and palette knife, I also created a lot of texture and movement with my strokes to add to the joyful feeling of painting on this beautiful morning.

For more information on my textured contemporary landscape paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at: nikigulley.com.

Friday, February 10, 2017

New "Marching into Autumn II" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

"Marching into Autumn II" ©2017 Niki Gulley
12" x 24" textured oil on canvas


I loved this brilliant aspen forest with its bright white aspen trunks slicing through all of the vibrant red and yellow foliage, contrasted against the multitude of greens surrounding it. The patterns of the trees created a sort of rhythm and I focused on the placement of the ivory sentinels and strokes in the leaves to add to that feeling of a driving beat. I hope you, too, can feel the energy and joy of being surrounded by nature as autumn is in full swing.

If interested in more information on pricing and purchasing this palette knife fall scene, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of my textured contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

New "Soaring Dreams II" Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Soaring Dreams II" ©2017 Niki Gulley
textured oil painting on canvas • 34" x 34"

In this painting I wanted you to feel that child-like wonder of staring up into the treetops and heavens above. Choosing uplifting golds and reds contrasted against a lavender-blue sky with gentle clouds drifting by, I've arranged the aspens in a circular pattern to give you a sense of laying on the ground, surrounded by the forest. Using diagonal leading lines with the tree trunks and limbs, your eye gazes into the focal point where all of the elements come together. Meanwhile, utilizing thick, curving paint strokes adds to that joyful, playful feeling of hope and discovery.

To see more of my impressionist palette knife paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.

If you have any questions about my aspen and birch tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Monday, February 6, 2017

New "Autumn Flow" Palette Knife Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Autumn Flow” ©2017 Niki Gulley
36" x 18" textured oil paint on canvas

Water pounds its way down the falls: cascading, rushing, charging into the riverbed – flowing over rocks, swiftly moving forward. Untamed, the surge finds its way over, under, around the boulder-strewn river. Tumbling waters drive up mists above the falls and the rhythmic sounds create a soothing harmony below. Meanwhile autumn’s low light casts long lines through the Aspen trees and glowing verge, illuminating the glorious foliage.

If you have any questions, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of Niki Gulley's contemporary landscape paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.











Friday, February 3, 2017

New "Soaring Dreams" Quadriptych Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

"Soaring Dreams" ©2017by Niki Gulley
 Four 36" x 36" canvases to form a 72" x 72" quadriptych • textured oil painting

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.

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings online, visit NikiGulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my available palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings.

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

New "Chit Chat" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

“Chit Chat" ©2017 Niki Gulley
30" x 48" textured oil painting

Shimmering in golden light, this backlit grove of aspen trees reaches tall, leaning left and then right towards the sun as it grew. The peeling trunks almost seem to move, even chatting with one another. A few trees weren't so lucky and lay fallen at their feet, while the whole scene is filled with color, texture and movement to suggest the power of nature and its ability to enhance your spirit.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her palette knife aspen tree and contemporary landscape paintings.