Capturing Rhododendrons in NC with Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

 

"Blue Ridge Bounty" ©2026 Niki Gulley

20" x 10" textured acrylic painting on canvas

This summer we hiked the Appalachian Trail along Carver's Gap to see the breathtaking Rhododendrons blooming along Roan Mountain. Not only were the flowers spectacular, bursting with every shade of red from magenta and pink to tangerine orange, but the mountain views were so inspiring. On one side you could see for miles into Tennessee and on the other side ridge after ridge of North Carolina. I hope you enjoy the peace and beauty as you escape into this gorgeous hike!

For details on more of wildflower or North Carolina paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

  

New Joyful Palette Knife Painting by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

  

"Moving Mountains" ©2026 Niki Gulley

60" x 36" textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

Inspired by the beautiful blue ridge mountains and the colorful wildflowers and flowering trees, I just had to capture the joy of that show they put on every spring. This canvas dances with color, sings with energy and my fills my heart. That's when I knew it was complete. May you  get lost in the joy of luscious paint and nature's beauty! Filled with so many layers and surprising pops of color all over the canvas, there is always something new to discover in "Moving Mountains."

Or, if you would prefer a print on canvas, please e-mail Niki Gulley for details.

NikiGulley.com 

***

New Cheerful Sunflower Painting of the Blue Ridge Mountains by Niki Gulley

 

"Springing with Joy" ©2026 Niki Gulley

48" x 36" textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

This piece is all about capturing that feeling of wandering through a summer meadow where every color of the rainbow seems to be blooming at once. My palette knife allows me to build up those chunky, textured strokes that make the flowers feel dimensional and alive. Painting the sunflowers full-sized in the foreground helps to bring them to life and hopefully transport you to this happy location. Including surprising pops of vivid reds and purples keeps your eye moving throughout the scene, seeing new things each time you look at it, and adds to the joyful feeling.

Or, if you would prefer a print on canvas, please e-mail Niki Gulley for details.

NikiGulley.com 

***

"Ruby Road" Palette Knife Poppy Painting by Niki Gulley

 

"Ruby Road" ©2022 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 12" x 16” textured oil painting

I absolutely love it when I come across a whole field of wildflowers – there is something about the transformation of a single dainty flower into a dense explosion of color that inspires awe and delights your senses. Inspired by our travels to Italy, cypress trees rise out of the vast open landscape signaling that you have arrived in Tuscany! Perched on a hilltop with its long curving driveway, this villa is set against the perfect backdrop for a romantic escape. Rows of ruby blooms draw your eye back to the rolling hills and beautiful billowing clouds. Painted with palette knife and thick oil paint, this canvas is loaded with movement, color and dimension.

To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my wildflower and poppy field oil paintings.

***

Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you're in luck if you've always wanted to go! We've had a couple of spots open up for our trip this September. Please let us know if you would like to join us. Spaces fill up quickly! 

Iceland
August 3-10, 2026

Only 1 spot left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 

September 26 - October 3, 2026

Only a couple spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026

Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

***

Asheville Artist Niki Gulley Exhibits at the North Carolina Arboretum "Art in Azaleas" Exhibit

"Arched Beauty" ©2026 Niki Gulley
20" x 10" textured acrylic painting on canvas

I love the vivid warm colors of the Arboretum's Azaleas popping against the complimentary green hues of the foliage. It is such a peaceful escape to wander the trails and discover something new around every bend. Choosing a vertical panoramic format for this one invites you to admire the azaleas, continue along your path towards the light and the beautiful forested canopy in the distance, all while lifting your spirits.

I’m excited to be exhibiting this piece at the NC Arboretum’s Native Azalea Art Show! Check out the beautiful gardens this April when the Azaleas are blooming. And, make sure to stop by the Education Center to see all of the artist’s beautiful interpretations.

The exhibit will also continue through May 7th.

___________________

For information on my other floral paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

"Texas Twist" Whimsical Live Oak Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

 

“Texas Twist” ©2026 Niki Gulley

48" x 24" Textured Acrylic on Canvas

I am fascinated by our Texas live oaks. Their gnarly, tangled branches are unlike other trees and tell such a story of their life – twists, turns and all. Standing tall and branching wide, they offer shelter and respite from the hot Texas sun and grow where few other sentinels can survive such drought conditions. Their deep, etched bark gave me the perfect opportunity to play with color and texture. Add in the whimsical swirling sk and you get a modern take on Van Gogh!

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more details on this live oak piece.

Texas Bluebonnet Landscape by Contemporary Impressionistic Niki Gulley

   

“Harmonic Refrain" ©2026 Niki Gulley

48" x 60" textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

My labor of love these past two months! With the canvas as wide as I am tall, and so many ups and downs my step ladder painting it, this one was quite the workout. But, it was important for me to completely immerse you in the energy found amongst nature. This painting is best seen in person so that you can step into this life-size canvas and feel our' landscape's beauty yourself.

I made sure to not over blend my thick strokes so that you could see the marks and feel the vivacity found in nature. Repeating patterns and waves of color create a harmony within the painting. Rendering the wildflowers along with their surroundings loosely plays with taking a traditional subject matter and putting a new twist on it.  Surprising pops of color invite your eyes to dance around the canvas, feeling the excitement of the moment. Voluminous and dramatic clouds surround your journey into this uplifting harmonic expression of joy and hope.

***

For more details on my other Texas paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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