New Tuscany Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Spring's Escape," Tuscany ©2013 Niki Gulley

24" x 24" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

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 soft wheat sway in the breeze and 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.

"Spring's Escape" and several of my contemporary impressionistic landscapes are also on display at the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact http://www.goodartcompany.com/gac/.

Or, to see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

For more information on my plein air paintings and workshops in Italy and France, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

New Sunflower Palette Knife Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

“Surrounded by Sunshine" ©2013 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Inspired by our travels to Provence, I painted these cheerful sunflowers with extremely thick oil paint and palette knife so that the resulting image leaps off the canvas and is loaded with energy, color and texture.

"Surrounded by Sunshine" and several of my contemporary impressionistic landscapes are also on display at the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact http://www.goodartcompany.com/gac/.

Or, to see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

For more information on my plein air paintings and workshops in Italy and France, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

New Palette Knife Poppy Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Crimson Flow," Tuscany ©2013 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Inspired by our travels to Italy, cypress trees rise out of the vast open landscape signaling that you have arrived in Tuscany! Filled with sweeping poppy rows and golden wildflowers, "Crimson Flow," is loaded with movement, uplifting color and dimension from the thick textured oil paint.

"Crimson Flow" and several of my Tuscany oil paintings are on display at the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact http://www.goodartcompany.com/gac/.

Or, to see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

For more information on my plein air paintings and workshops in Italy and France, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

"Rows and Rows" Texas Bluebonnet Pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Rows and Rows" ©2013 Niki Gulley

14" x 11" pastel

For more information on my Texas bluebonnet and wildflower paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of Gulley's pastels, please check out NikiGulley.com,

"Hill Country Textures" oil painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

"Hill Country Textures" ©2013 Niki Gulley

8" x 10" textured oil painting

I painted these Texas bluebonnets at a plein air painting workshop I was leading in Fredericksburg, TX. I was attracted to the contrasting textures of the craggy rocks next to the soft bluebonnets and native grasses. Working with palette knife and a lot of oil paint, I set out to capture all of that dimension.

For more information on my Texas bluebonnet and wildflower paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of Gulley's textured landscape paintings please check out NikiGulley.com,

New "Bluebonnet Reflections" oil painting by Texas artist Niki Gulley

"Bluebonnet Reflections" ©2013 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" oil painting

Painted near Ennis, Texas, I thought this spot was so peaceful, dotted with bluebonnets and the cool-colored reflections they cast on the pond's surface. In person, the water really shimmers! For more information on this original oil painting, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of Gulley's Texas wildflower paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.

New Bluebonnet Palette Knife Painting by Texas artist Niki Gulley

"Blue Descent," Texas Hill Country ©2013 Niki Gulley

24" x 36" textured oil painting

Inspired by a trip to the Texas hill country, I wanted you feel the warmth and beauty as sun sets over this carpet of bluebonnets and Texas wildflowers. Touched with a hint of mystery from the long shadows being cast and a sense of romanticism from the time of day and the two oaks reaching for one another, this piece is loaded with pigment and thick oil paint. In person, the painting leaps off the canvas and the colors almost dance from all of the texture and energy!

"Blue Descent" and several of Niki's landscape oil paintings are available the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact goodartcompany.com/gac/.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

NikiGulley.com

Texas Hill Country Bluebonnet Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Traveling Together," Texas Hill Country ©2013 Niki Gulley

36" x 60" textured oil painting

Inspired by a trip to the hill country, I wanted you feel the warmth and beauty on this perfect spring day while out for a leisurely drive among the bluebonnets and Texas wildflowers. Painted with thick oil paint and palette knives to achieve extreme texture, the resulting image comes to life and is loaded with color, movement and energy.

"Traveling Together" and several of Niki's landscape oil paintings are available the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact goodartcompany.com/gac/.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

NikiGulley.com

New "Echo in Time" Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“Echo in Time” ©2013 Niki Gulley

24” x 18” textured oil painting

From our travels, I have become fascinated with the textures, hues and extreme variety we encounter in different terrains. This lone tree thriving in such a rocky, arid environment serves as a testament to the power and mystery found in nature. Painted with palette knife and extremely thick oil paint, this painting is loaded with dimension, color and energy!

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

NikiGulley.com

New "Resolute" Palette Knife Oil Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

“Resolute” ©2013 Niki Gulley

24” x 18” textured oil painting

From our travels, I have become fascinated with the textures, hues and extreme variety we encounter in different terrains. I was intrigued by this one lone tree thriving in this rocky narrow canyon while only  receiving a few hours of sunshine a day. The unique striations and colors in the cliffs were amazing, too. Painted with palette knife and extremely thick oil paint, this painting is loaded with dimension, color and energy!

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

Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of her available palette knife paintings.

New Santa Fe Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

Perseverance ©2013 Niki Gulley

48" x 36" • Textured oil painting on canvas

During one of our plein air painting workshops that we lead in Santa Fe, we chose this beautiful location near Georgia O'Keefe's home of Ghost Ranch. I loved the way the sun illuminated the rocky cliffs and the robust, fluffy clouds that drifted above us. Reaching for the sky, hopeful and steadfast, this one lone tree persevered despite the odds.

If you'd like more information on my contemporary landscape paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

NikiGulley.com

"Survival Instinct" New Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

“Survival Instinct” ©2013 Niki Gulley

24” x 18” textured oil painting

From our travels, I have become fascinated with the textures, hues and extreme variety we encounter in different terrains. This lone tree surviving in such a rocky, arid environment serves as a testament to the power and mystery found in nature. Painted with palette knife and extremely thick oil paint, this painting is loaded with dimension, color and energy!

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

See NikiGulley.com

"Sheer Determination" New Textured Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

“Sheer Determination” ©2013 Niki Gulley

24” x 18” textured oil painting

From our travels, I have become fascinated with the textures, hues and extreme variety we encounter in different terrains. This lone tree thriving in such a rocky, arid environment serves as a testament to the power and mystery found in nature. Painted with palette knife and extremely thick oil paint, this painting is loaded with dimension, color and energy!

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

See NikiGulley.com

New "Make a Wish" Palette Knife Autumn Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

“Make a Wish” ©2013 Niki Gulley

20” x 16” textured oil painting

Reaching to the heavens above, this wishbone shaped aspen tree stretches tall, inviting you to stare in wonderment like a kid again, wishing on a dream. Painted with palette knife and extremely thick oil paint, this painting is loaded with texture, color, energy and movement!

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

See NikiGulley.com

New Aspen Trunks Palette Knife Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“United" ©2013 Niki Gulley

20” x 16” textured oil painting

Shimmering in golden light, this backlit grove of aspen trees stands tall, united. Painted with extremely thick paint and palette knife, the resulting image is full of texture, color and movement!

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

See NikiGulley.com

New "Living on the Edge" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

“Living on the Edge” ©2013 Niki Gulley

20” x 16” textured oil painting

Balancing on the edge of a cliff, this pair of aspen trees stands tall, united against the elements. Painted with palette knife and extremely thick oil paint, this painting captures the textures of the rocky mountain, fall foliage and its natural surroundings.

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

See NikiGulley.com

New Colorado Aspen Tree Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

“Notes a Flutter” ©2013 Niki Gulley

24” x 18” textured oil painting

Colorado’s celebrated quaking aspen trees stand arrow straight in the valleys and

up and down the hills.

Slim white trunks sing out against the forest background and each leaf provides

a sparkling symphony of notes whispering through the mountains.

Flames of yellow leaves flicker against autumn’s burning reds

and the deep, cool blue mountain streaked with early banks of snow.

This painting captures the breathtaking colors of

Colorado in the fall, the Aspens at their most beautiful, the peaceful snow-banked mountain, the rustling murmur and musical sigh of the fluttering leaves.

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

See NikiGulley.com

New Plein Air Painting from the Dallas Arboretum by Niki Gulley

“Water Wall," Dallas Arboretum ©2013 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" Plein Air Oil Painting

I painted this oil of the "Water Wall" at the Dallas Arboretum a couple of weeks ago as part of my demonstration during my plein-air painting workshop. I loved the golden light hitting the stucco and the interesting shadows that were created from the trellis above. Working with a combination of brush and palette knife, the final painting is full of color and texture.

If you'd like to join me for one of our Plein Air Painting / Photography Art Trek Workshops in Europe, please let me know and I can send you a brochure. Upcoming trips include Carnival in Venice, Paris, Provence during lavender season, Tuscany and Cinque Terre/ Lake Como, Italy. For more details, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

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

For more information on my plein air paintings and workshops, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

New Tuscany Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

“Breaking Through," Tuscany ©2013 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 24" x 12" textured mixed media on wrap around canvas

Just Sold at the Good Art Company! Inspired by our travels to Italy, cypress trees rise out of the vast open landscape signaling that you have arrived in Tuscany! Working from my oil sketch that I painted during our Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop last year, I created this larger version back in my studio, including more of the dramatic clouds swirling above the cypress trees for a tall vertical panorama and added energy.

If you'd like to join us in Tuscany next year for our Plein Air Painting / Photography Art Trek, Sept. 5th - 13th, please let me know. This is one of our most popular workshops and space is going quickly. For more details, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

Also, several of my contemporary impressionistic landscapes are on display at the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact http://www.goodartcompany.com/gac/.

Or, to see more of my palette knife paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

For more information on my plein air paintings and workshops in Italy and France, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

SOLD! New Sunflower Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“Sharing the Sun," Provence ©2013 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 24" x 12" textured mixed media on wrap around canvas

Just Sold at the Good Art Company! Inspired by our travels to Provence, this sunflower field is loaded with texture, color and energy. I love how the sunflowers are full of so much joy and vibrant hues, that they seem to always lift your spirits.

If you'd like to join us in Provence next year for our Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop and Art Trek, June 26th - July 4th, please let me know. We are down to only 2 spots left! For more details, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

Several of my contemporary impressionistic landscapes are also on display at the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact http://www.goodartcompany.com/gac/.

Or, to see more of my palette knife paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

For more information on my plein air paintings and workshops in Italy and France, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Just Sold! New Tuscany Palette Knife Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

“Arriving Home," Tuscany ©2013 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 20" x 30" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Just Sold at the Good Art Company! Inspired by our travels to Italy, cypress trees rise out of the vast open landscape signaling that you have arrived in Tuscany! Filled with energetic sweeping strokes and uplifting color, "Marching Westward," hints that dreams really can come true.

Several of my contemporary impressionistic landscapes are also on display at the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact http://www.goodartcompany.com/gac/.

Or, to see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

For more information on my plein air paintings and workshops in Italy and France, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

"Scenic Route" New Autumn Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“Scenic Route” ©2013 Niki Gulley

Textured Oil Painting on wrap around canvas • 20” x 60”

My husband and I love exploring the back roads whenever we’re en route somewhere. We always discover such interesting places, and the scenery is so much more picturesque than along the highway. It’s fun to slow down and enjoy the journey with no agenda, which is what I had in mind when I painted “Scenic Route,” a beautiful autumn drive through the winding fall foliage.

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

For more information on my palette knife paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

New Autumn Aspen Trees Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Embracing the Moment" ©2013 Niki Gulley

24" x 48" 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 fall foliage in diagonal sweeping shapes to create a sense of movement, so that you can feel the wind gently rustling the leaves and causing them to dance on a beautiful fall day.

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

For more information on my palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Last Night, Lake Como / Cinque Terre Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 7:  CINQUE TERRE / LAKE COMO ART TREK

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

After some free time in the afternoon, we gathered for a slide show, critique and recap happy hour of our trip. It's always so much fun to see how every photographer and painter captures the scenery so differently, even sometimes when we are standing in the exact same spot and it's a great way to revisit memories from our week. For dinner that night, we treated ourselves to a gourmet meal with incredible views of the lake from the restaurant's terrace. A perfect ending to a wonderful trip!

A quick sunset sketch of Lake Como • 8" x 10" oil painting by Niki Gulley

If you'd like to join us in Cinque Terre / Lake Como for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 12th-21st, please let me know.  For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Workshops fill up fast, so don't wait to register!

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

***

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 7, Lake Como - Varenna and Como Town
 CINQUE TERRE / LAKE COMO ART TREK

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the last day of our Cinque Terre / Lake Como plein air painting and photography workshop, we broke into two groups. Most of the photographers chose to visit the largest town on the lake, Como, while us painters and a couple of others decided to stay right in Varenna and soak up that view and the peacefulness of town one last day. Since the scenery from our hotel was so incredible, we set up our easels right there and either painted the colorful town below or the misty mountains and lake in the distance.

If you'd like to join us in Cinque Terre / Lake Como for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 12th-21st, please let me know.  For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Workshops fill up fast, so don't wait to register!

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

***

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

Day 6, Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

8" x 10" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 6, Lake Como - Varenna and Menaggio
 CINQUE TERRE / LAKE COMO ART TREK

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the sixth day of our Lake Como Plein-Air Painting and Photography Workshop, our group went in all different directions. Some folks decided to take an all day cooking class where they learned to make 

pastas, soups and entrees from scratch. While the rest of us visited Varenna castle in the morning and afterwards rode the ferry to Menaggio. We explored the town and treated ourselves to a fantastic lunch, dining al Fresco again before heading back to Varenna. With some down time in the afternoon, I enjoyed our amazing view of the lake and town from our balcony while completing this small palette knife oil painting of the colorful buildings below.

For dinner that night, we navigated the switchback roads to the tiny town of Perledo and were treated to a huge traditional seven-course Italian meal. With every plate being created from scratch with local ingredients, the food and wines were amazing. We left fat, happy and slept like the dead that night!

If you'd like to join us in Cinque Terre / Lake Como for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 12th-21st, please let me know.  For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Workshops fill up fast, so don't wait to register!

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

***

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.