Turquoise Vortex oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Turquoise Vortex” ©2010 Niki Gulley

30” x 30” • oil on canvas

Growing up in Chicago, our brutally cold winters would feel like they lasted forever so my family tried to vacation along our tropical coasts whenever possible. I loved this week we spent together – the cathartic rhythm of the ocean waves lapping against the shore as dad and I tried to ride each crest as close to the beach as possible, feeling the cool sand squish between my toes and fingers while building sand castles together, and enjoying the peacefulness at sunset as the gorgeous fireball dropped down from the sky and cast diamond-like reflections across the ocean’s surface.

Turquoise Vortex recreates that magical moment as the sun starts to descend and illuminate the water’s peaks and makes everything sparkle. Using a circular composition and bold colors enhances that feeling of motion and rhythm while suggesting the awesome energy and power found in nature.

If you’d like to learn how to paint landscapes or “loosen up” your technique, join me this fall in my adult art classes. Registration is open and there are only a couple of spots left, so e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information,

Or, visit my website at NikiGulley.com for more details and to see more of my paintings.