Santa Fe Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams, Day 3

SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  

Day 3, afternoon location - Rancho de Chimayo

7" x 5" oil by Niki Gulley

After a delicious Mexican lunch at Rancho de Taos, we took the scenic High Road to Taos south towards Chimayo, fueled and ready to paint another important New Mexico landmark. This afternoon, most everyone chose to come in close on El Santuario de Chimayo and focus on details and angles over the whole scene. I chose this viewpoint of the bell towers, while several of my students created lovely paintings of the gate, as pictured below. We ended the day with an incredible meal and satisfying sangria at Rancho de Chimayo, enjoying the cool evening on the patio and the company of new friends.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

For new classes and workshops in Texas this fall, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

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NikiGulley.com

Painting Rancho de Taos with Niki Gulley

SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  

Day 3, morning location - Rancho de Taos

10" x 8" textured oil by Niki Gulley

On day 3 of our Santa Fe Art Trek, we headed north to paint Rancho de Taos, made famous in paint by Georgia O'Keefe and in film by Ansel Adams. Today each of my students saw the adobe structure differently, and each chose a unique perspective of the building. Spending most of the morning helping everyone with perspective and getting accurate angles on this tricky pueblo, I had just enough time to do a quick  palette knife sketch of a close up of the church. Choosing vibrant golds and reds for the bell tower set against a gorgeous cobalt sky, really made the colors sing!

Above: Barbara Moore working in pastels at Rancho de Taos, with faithful companion, Shiloh.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

For new classes and workshops in Texas this fall, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

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Painting the Aspen Trail with Niki Gulley

SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  

Day 2, afternoon location - Aspen Trail

9" x 12" textured oil by Niki Gulley

On day 2 of our Santa Fe Art Trek, the temperature started rising in the afternoon, so we headed up into the mountains for cooler breezes to paint the beautiful aspen trees. We were attracted to the brilliant white trunks with their unique peeling bark and dark protruding knots. I liked how the soft dappled light came through the trees and illuminated the path, leading into the distance. Becoming totally lost in the moment, we set out to capture the peacefulness and contentment we felt that afternoon.

Above: Some of our students painting in the aspen grove, listening to the sounds of the babbling brook nearby. A perfect day!

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

For new classes and workshops in Texas this fall, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

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NikiGulley.com

Day 2, Santa Fe Art Trek with Niki Gulley

SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  
Day 2, morning location - downtown Santa Fe
9" x 12" textured oil by Niki Gulley

On day 2 of our Santa Fe Art Trek, we visited this peaceful little street where each home is postcard perfect. Between the unique adobe architecture, the dramatic morning light, and the beautiful plantings surrounding each home, it was hard to choose what to paint! Each student found something different that excited them, and I became fascinated with this window and rain spout, and the deep shadows they were casting. I also loved the glowing Russian sage against the golden terra cotta wall and the beautiful plum tree in the distance.

Above: Painting in Santa Fe.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

See NikiGulley.com to see more of her contemporary landscape paintings.

Santa Fe Plein Air Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley

SANTA FE ART TREK:  
Day 1, afternoon location - Echo Canyon
12" x 9" textured oil by Niki Gulley

That afternoon, we headed north to Echo Canyon, a natural stone amphitheater with beautiful rugged surroundings. After painting the entire landscape in the morning, we decided to focus in on a vignette in the afternoon and isolate our focal point. Some of my students chose trees, others rocks, and I picked this lone, persistent conifer growing out the top of the sandstone formation. I liked the dramatic shadows, the texture in the rocks, and the strong will of this one scraggly pine tree. The sky was amazing with dynamic clouds sweeping into our view from distant showers, and I had to capture some of that movement and energy in this scene, too. Luckily the storms stayed away and we had a lovely afternoon!

Above: Niki Gulley helping one of her students with her pastels.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

See NikiGulley.com to see more of her contemporary landscape paintings.

Santa Fe Art Trek w/ Niki Gulley - Ghost Ranch

SANTA FE ART TREK:  Day 1, morning location - Ghost Ranch, New Mexico
12" x 9" pastel by Niki Gulley

On the first day of our Santa Fe Plein-Air Painting and Photography Workshop, we headed to the gorgeous hills where Georgia O'Keefe resided, now understanding fully why she chose to live there. The rock formations were beautiful, the desert scenery had a rugged, uninhabited wild west feel, and the clouds were spectacular. I chose this location for my pastel demo, being attracted to the light on the distant mountain peaks, and the bushy sagebrush in the foreground. 

I quickly drew my major shapes, then working with the sides of my pastels, blocked in my darks and simplified the scene into larger color passages. Tweaking the composition as I went so everything flowed together and kept your eye moving around the painting, I started developing my focal area in the distance, establishing more details in the cracks and crevices and accentuating the dramatic lights and darks with complimentary colors. Then, I moved into details on the sagebrush and suggested the deep shadow underneath. Last, I filled in the middle ground in between, making sure to keep soft edges and a closer color and value range there, so as not to take away from the other areas. A perfect morning in an amazing location!

Above: Some of our painters at Ghost Ranch.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

"Reflections in Time" by Niki Gulley

“Reflections in Time” ©2012 Niki Gulley

SOLD • Oil on canvas • 24” x 36”

Just sold! This painting is inspired by one of my favorite spots just ten minutes from our home in Dallas. It was a perfect autumn day with a slight breeze and the peaking autumn colors were more vibrant than usual. With such a gentle wind, the vivid foliage and gorgeous fluffy clouds were reflected fairly clearly in the water and yet at the same time, I chose to create fluid moving strokes to suggest the peaceful energy in that moment.

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

NikiGulley.com

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

"Long Shadows," White Rock Lake by Niki Gulley

“Long Shadows” White Rock Lake ©2012 Niki Gulley

12” x 24” oil on canvas

Sunset draws lengthening shadows across the grassy waters edge at Sunset Bay, White Rock. The lake shimmers in the evening glow as sky high above fills with deep blues and before you the soft, moody colors stretch out, long lines beckoning you into the complex diagonal composition. Rich texture models the leaves, branches and tree trunk rimmed in the sunset and shadow. Vivid masses of color form the foliage on the opposite bank, fall at its peak. The long cast shadows draw you into the tranquil landscape and the peaceful, dreamy sunset at White Rock Lake.

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

NikiGulley.com

"Golden Moment, White Rock Lake" by Niki Gulley

"Golden Moment, White Rock Lake" ©2012 Niki Gulley

Textured oil on canvas • 12" x 24"

On a peaceful autumn day last fall, I went out with my camera to White Rock Lake and captured this beautiful sunset behind the Dallas skyline. I liked how the pampas grass and various plants in the foreground were back lit by the setting sun and how the water's surface was shimmering from the low light, adding to a sense of mystery and tranquility in that golden moment.

If you'd like information on "Golden Moment," e-mail Niki Gulley, or contact American Fine Art, AmericanFineArt.com.

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NikiGulley.com.

New Indian Paintbrush painting by Niki Gulley

"Texas Treats" ©2012 Niki Gulley

12" x 12" textured mixed media on canvas

I painted these Indian Paintbrush with extremely thick paint and palette knives to achieve depth and texture. The resulting image comes to life and is loaded with color and energy. In this wildflower series, I've painted the scene around the edges of the canvas on 1 and 1/2" deep stretcher bars so that the painting can be hung without a frame for a unique sculptural effect.

If you are interested in more information, e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of Niki Gulley's Texas inspired paintings or 

to find out about her upcoming workshop schedule, 

please check out NikiGulley.com.

Textured Bluebonnet oil painting by Niki Gulley

"Texas Pride II" ©2012 Niki Gulley

20" x 30" textured oil painting on canvas

I painted these Texas bluebonnets and with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives to achieve depth and texture. The resulting image comes to life and is loaded with color and energy. In this wildflower series, I've painted the scene around the edges of the canvas on 1 and 1/2" deep stretcher bars so that the painting can be hung without a frame for a unique sculptural effect.

If you are interested in this original painting or in Texas Pride II as a canvas print, please e-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

To see more of Niki Gulley's textured landscape paintings or 

to find out about her upcoming workshops, 

please check out NikiGulley.com.

Santa Fe ART TREK - one week away!

"Echo Park," Santa Fe, NM ©2012 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" oil on board

Santa Fe is the muse of many famous artists and photographers, and that could be you, too! Join us for our Plein-Air Painting and Photography Workshop this August in Santa Fe, New Mexico. We will transport you to different picturesque locations, where you will be painting and (or) photographing scenes that inspired Georgia O’Keeffe and Ansel Adams. Santa Fe offers breathtaking vistas; sunny, dry weather, world class restaurants, galleries and shopping ensconced in a charming, 400 year old Spanish Colonial city that welcomes the new and exciting and never grows old. This is a not to be missed workshop in “The Land of Enchantment.” 

Santa Fe Art Trek
Plein Air Painting and/or photography workshop taught by Scott Williams and Niki Gulley
Santa Fe, New Mexico
August 12 -18, 2012
See nikigulley.com/art-classes for more details 
or e-mail Niki Gulley with any questions and to register.

Above: Students painting at Echo Park last year.

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

http://issuu.com/cfai.co/docs/visual_language_vol_1_no__6_ll

"Muted Hues" - Aspen Tree oil painting by Niki Gulley

"Muted Hues" ©2012 Niki Gulley
36" x 36" oil on canvas

I love painting aspen trees and I usually work with a bold color palette, but in this painting, I wanted to convey a quieter, more peaceful mood. Opting for more pastel shades, and incorporating calming blues and greens, Muted Hues reminds me of the serenity I feel while walking through the forest on a cool autumn day, being totally immersed in nature, not a care in the world. I hope you are transported, too!

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

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

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If you haven't seen it yet, check out this month's copy of visual language for more inspirational artwork http://issuu.com/cfai.co/docs/visual_language_vol_1_no__6_ll/1.

Passage of Illumination by Niki Gulley

“Passage of Illumination” ©2011 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 48” x 60” textured oil on canvas

Just Sold! Wander down this path that beckons you and lift your eyes heavenward to that cobalt vault lined by a rainbow of vivid greens and golds and gleaming crimson, purposely choosing these warm vibrant colors to suggest a hopeful future. Like an ancient chorus these joyful trees sing with dazzling colors, a call and respond to each other across the enticing path that traces verses of light and dark, hue and color, an alluring siren song leading you into the depths of this radiant, vanishing horizon. A painting rich in color and light, joy and energy its double bowed composition gently leads gently you into this magical, blissful destination.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.