"Opposites Attract" Two Woman Show w/ Gulley & Padgett

"Passionate Embrace" ©2012 Niki Gulley

textured oil painting • 36" x 36"

I wanted this birch painting to be very colorful and whimsical, like through the eyes of a child looking into the treetops with fascination. I also like how sometimes the difference between realism and abstraction isn't that great at all, and in this case, by just inverting and adding tree trunks to Elizabeth Padgett's abstract painting, the result can become a realistic scene in "Passionate Embrace." 

Please join Dallas artists, Niki Gulley and Elizabeth Padgett, for this Two Woman Show "Opposites Attract," featuring their paintings from two different perspectives – realism and abstraction. Artist Reception is Sun. Feb. 5 from 2 to 4 pm at the Jaycee Center for the Arts, 1975 Puritan Dr. between Story Rd. and MacArthur in Irving, TX. Exhibit runs Jan. 29 - Feb 23, 2012.

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

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

Landscape Painting at the Dallas Arboretum with Niki Gulley

"Spring Blooms," Dallas Arboretum ©2012 by Niki Gulley
9" x 12" oil painting

Another beautiful spring day at the Arboretum during Dallas Blooms last year.

Please join me on  Feb. 4th at the Dallas Arboretum where I'll be teaching a Painting Workshop covering tips and guidance for creating gorgeous landscape paintings.

For more information, go to dallasarboretum.org/AdultEducation/CreativeArts.htm. 

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

NikiGulley.com

Or, to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

"Spring Blooms," Dallas Arboretum oil painting by Niki Gulley

"Spring Blooms II," Dallas Arboretum ©2012 by Niki Gulley
9" x 12" oil painting

A beautiful spring day at the Arboretum during Dallas Blooms last year.

Please join me on  Feb. 4th at the Dallas Arboretum where I'll be teaching a Painting Workshop covering tips and guidance for creating gorgeous landscape paintings.

For more information, go to dallasarboretum.org/AdultEducation/CreativeArts.htm. 

If you'd have any questions, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

NikiGulley.com

Or, to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

Painting Workshop at the Dallas Arboretum taught by Niki Gulley

"Reflective Moment," Dallas Arboretum ©2012 by Niki Gulley
18" x 24" oil on canvas

This painting was inspired by a gorgeous autumn day at the Dallas Arboretum. I was drawn to this magical little spot because it was so tranquil there that day, that you just wanted to sit and enjoy the scenery on this bench nestled across the water. The brilliant colors of the fall foliage, the crystal clear sky, and the soft light raking across the lily pond caught my eye. I liked how the late afternoon shadows were being cast and golden highlights were forming, adding to a peaceful, but happy feeling.

On  Feb. 4th, I'll be teaching a Landscape Painting Workshop at the Dallas Arboretum. For more information, go to dallasarboretum.org/AdultEducation/CreativeArts.htm. 

If you'd have any questions, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

Or, to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

"Golden Aura" new textured birch tree painting by Niki Gulley

"Golden Aura" ©2012 Niki Gulley

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

Painted with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives so that this canvas is loaded with texture and bursting with color, flickering autumn leaves seem to almost dance in a gentle breeze. I wanted this scene to be filled with movement and energy, so I incorporated a lot of diagonal and curving shapes in the design to suggest that feeling. While combining short staccato strokes along with long sweeping passes with my palette knives also increase that sense of motion. I hope you, too, can feel the excitement of walking through the woods on a beautiful fall day, letting your cares slip away and your spirit being invigorated.

Email me for more information on this birch painting.

Or, visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary oil paintings.

"Autumn Emergence" new birch tree oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Autumn Gems” ©2012 Niki Gulley

36” x 60” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

I wanted this painting to be about the power and energy in nature to invigorate your spirit, 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, and so that you can feel the wind gently rustling the leaves and causing them to dance.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured oil paintings of aspen and birch trees.

Or, to see more of her work, visit NikiGulley.com.

Kaleidoscope of Dreams - new oil painting by Niki Gulley

"Kaleidoscope of Dreams" ©2012 by Niki Gulley

textured oil painting
Four 36" x 36" canvases to form a 72" x 72" quadriptych

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.

Email me for more information on "Kaleidoscope of Dreams."

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary oil paintings.

"Tuscan Drive" pastel by Niki Gulley

"Tuscan Drive" ©2012 Niki Gulley

pastel • 14" x 11"

This quintessential Tuscan farmhouse framed by the cone-shaped cypress trees is so indicative of Tuscany and the area that we stay in that it's hard not to paint it! This scene is just around the corner from where we stay while we're teaching our Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop each September and I've always liked how the curving lines of the gravel driveway lead you up the hill. I wanted to add a lot of color and energy to the foreground grasses to create a joyful feeling, much like most everyone experiences being in Tuscany.

If you'd like to come along Aug. 31 - Sept. 8 for our next Tuscany Plein-Air Painting / Photography Workshop, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420. Register by Jan. 13th for a $500 discount. We'd love to have you join us!

To see more of my plein-air paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

Lake Como, Italy oil painting by Niki Gulley

"Peaceful Harbor," Lake Como, Italy ©2012 Niki Gulley

oil on canvas • 24" x 36"

Lake Como, Italy is probably my favorite spot from all of our travels. The vistas are simply breathtaking with the alps in the background, the gorgeous blue of the lake, the brightly colored unique buildings and the lush foliage dotting the magnificent gardens. I love this little laid back town of Varenna, which is so peaceful that all of your cares just melt away. 

If you'd like to join us in Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy this Sept. 8th - 16th for our next Plein-Air Painting / Photography Workshop, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420. If you sign up by Jan. 13th, you'll save $500 off the cost of the trip!

To see more of my paintings from Italy visit NikiGulley.com.

Cinque Terre Plein-Air Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley

"Adrift," Cinque Terre, Italy ©2011 Niki Gulley

SOLD • pastel 36" x 24"

Inspired by our trip to the Cinque Terre (or translated, 5 lands) along Italy's west coast, "Adrift," shows one of the peaceful harbors among these 5 cities that hug the shoreline and are linked by an exhilarating hiking trail. I liked the lone boat anchored in this cove, leading your eye to the beach, and the contrast of the yellow against the crystal blue waters. The buildings, all brightly painted stack miraculously up the mountains in the distance, and create a colorful backdrop suggesting you are no longer in the United States. Cinque Terre is simply breathtaking!

If you'd like to join us in Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy this Sept. 8th - 16th for our next Plein-Air Painting / Photography Workshop, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420. Sign up by Jan. 13th for a $500 discount. We'd love to have you join us.

To see more of my paintings from Italy visit NikiGulley.com.

Tuscany Painting Workshop 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 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 Aug. 31 - Sept. 8 for our next Tuscany Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420. Sign up by Jan. 13th for a $500 discount.

To see more of my paintings from Italy, visit NikiGulley.com.