Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Just Sold Autumn Birches oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Autumn Splendor II” ©2013 Niki Gulley
36” x 48” textured oil on wrap around canvas • Sold

Just sold! Shimmering colors of autumn: Aspen trees quiver, their light graceful leaves tremble and quake, silver and gold, silver and gold with each light breeze.

There is the quiet energy of change coming and vibrant color charges the woods. Crisp fall mountain air, clean bright skies overhead, a band of slender straight trucks cut bright strokes of white against a dazzling tumble of green, crimson and gold.

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

See NikiGulley.com for more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

New Sunflower palette knife painting by Niki Gulley

"Sun Salutations" ©2013 Niki Gulley
12" x 12" textured oil on canvas


I painted these sunflowers with extremely thick paint and palette knife. The resulting canvas is loaded with texture, color and energy! I've painted it on 1 and 1/2 inch deep stretcher bars, with the image continuing around the edges so that it can be hung as is frameless for a contemporary look. 

This sunflower scene looks great hung alone to brighten up a little spot, or in a grouping with some of my sunflower or floral scenes. Hang them horizontally, vertically, on a diagonal or stacked. Take a look at nikigulley.com/the-art/textured-oils/ to find complimentary companion pieces.

If interested in more information on pricing and purchasing for this painting, please contact American Fine Art Gallery in Dallas, americanfineart.com.

To see more of my textured flower paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com
or e-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

Monday, January 28, 2013

"Symphony of Colors" New Textured Aspen Tree oil painting by Niki Gulley

"Symphony of Colors" ©2013 Niki Gulley
36" x 60" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Shimmering colors of autumn: Aspen and Oak trees quiver, their light graceful leaves tremble and quake, silver and gold, scarlet and tangerine, with each light breeze. There is the quiet energy of change coming and vibrant color charges the woods. Crisp fall mountain air, a band of slender straight trunks cut bright strokes of white against a dazzling tumble of amber and crimson. Staccato strokes and shimmering hues add to the feeling of change in the air and suggest the wind whistling through the foliage.

To see more of Niki Gulley's textured landscape paintings, please check out American Fine Art Gallery in Dallas, americanfineart.com, or the Good Art Company in Fredericksburg, TX, goodartcompany.com/gac/.

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






Friday, January 25, 2013

"Luminescent Radiance" New Textured Lily Pond painting by Niki Gulley

"Luminescent Radiance" ©2013 Niki Gulley
Two 48" x 24" canvases with one 48" x 30" canvas in the middle to form a 48" x 78" triptych
Textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

I decided it would be a fun challenge to create an extremely large painting, and I wanted the final piece to be very uplifting, colorful and full of energy. Opting for warm colors and working with extremely thick paint and palette knives, I chose this lily pond reference from our visit to Monet's Gardens in Giverny, France. The grounds were breathtaking and I could actually see his paintings come to life. I was drawn to the energetic flow and yet calming serenity in this view, and I positioned the water lilies and my paint strokes in a curving pattern to add to that mood. The morning light peeking through the distant foliage added to a sense of mystery and promise that I wanted to capture in paint, and share with you that feeling of hope.

This painting and more of Niki Gulley's textured landscape paintings are on exhibit at American Fine Art Gallery in Dallas. See americanfineart.com for details.

Web - NikiGulley.com • E-mail - Niki Gulley



Wednesday, January 23, 2013

"Falling Rocks" Textured Colorado oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Falling Rocks” ©2013 Niki Gulley
20" x 24” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

This painting is inspired from my first trip to Colorado. I loved the majestic mountains, the meandering creeks and rushing rivers, the lush terrain and the quaking aspen trees. The ride through the mountains was thrilling, as we straddled cliff sides, our tires gripped the road through spine-tingling hairpin turns, we raced through cavernous tunnels carved through the dense rock, and jagged mountains hugged us like there was no tomorrow. And, as if the journey wasn't exciting enough, we were reminded of the  adventure that lay ahead with a new falling rocks sign every few bends!

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

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


Monday, January 21, 2013

"Road Trip II" New Palette Knife oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Road Trip II” ©2013 Niki Gulley
16" x 20” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

The first time we went to Santa Fe and headed north to Ghost Ranch, I was awestruck by the incredible scenery. The terrain starts to change as you near Abiquiu with the rock formations becoming more colorful, jagged and varied, and the light seemed to become purer, too. So in Road Trip II, I not only wanted to capture the rugged beauty of this place, but also the excitement of discovery and the anticipation of what's to come.

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

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


Wednesday, January 16, 2013

"Stop!" New Palette Knife Landscape Painting by Niki Gulley

“Stop!” ©2013 Niki Gulley
16" x 20” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

While driving from Santa Fe to Taos, this scene literally stopped me in my tracks. Something about that giant rocky mound rising up from the surrounding flat expanse contrasted against the complimentary colored sky was so graphic and surreal. Add to that the bizarre juxtaposition of the stop sign encroaching on what once was uninhabited desert landscape, and I felt like this painting had something to say.

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

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


Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Curves Ahead by Niki Gulley

“Curves Ahead” ©2013 Niki Gulley
30" x 40” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

On this trip, it felt like we were flying up and down these curvy mountain roads almost like we were on an adult roller coaster. So I wanted to have a little fun in my painting and capture that sense of movement and playful excitement. Choosing bright vivid colors an curving my strokes almost in a fish-eye composition, add to the youthful energy and thrill of adventure that I wanted to communicate.

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

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


Monday, January 14, 2013

"45 mph" Winter Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“45 mph” ©2013 Niki Gulley
18” x 24” textured oil painting

On one of our first trips together, my husband and I drove to Colorado to capture the fall foliage, and were greeted by one of the earliest snowfalls on record. While not the golden aspen glory we expected, the pristine white of that first dusting was beautiful. I loved this scenic overlook as we rounded the corner, and as you can see there was no shoulder to pull over on to capture the scene. So quickly grabbing my camera, I snapped away as we whizzed past. In this shot, I particularly liked a sliver of the school-bus-yellow 45mph sign contrasting against the vivid azure sky and framing the right side of the composition to lead your eye back into the breathtaking drive.

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

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


Friday, January 11, 2013

"Road Trip" New textured oil painting by Niki Gulley


“Road Trip” ©2013 Niki Gulley
20” x 24” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

We spend a lot of time in the car, between driving across country for art shows, exploring new places for inspiration, and traveling while teaching painting and photography workshops, so in this new series I've felt compelled to capture my views from the passenger seat. This particular painting was inspired by one of our plein air painting workshops we taught in Santa Fe. Not only do I love the various rock formations and dramatic New Mexico skies, but I relish the sense of open space after living in a city. Looking out on the expansive horizon, I get the feeling that anything is possible and a new discovery is just around the next bend. In "Road Trip" I combine this low angle of the road along with energetic diagonal strokes to give you the feeling of driving over the next hill in search for whatever your journey holds next.


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

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


Wednesday, January 9, 2013

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



"Peaceful Harbor," Lake Como, Italy ©2013 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 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. 

Now we can't wait to share the Italian experience with other painters, photographers and anyone interested in traveling, so we are leading an Art Trek to Lake Como and Cinque Terre this September. If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Italy, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop to Cinque Terre and Lake Como from Sept. 6th - Sept. 14th.

Our unique Art Treks afford you the option to choose which aspects interest you, whether it is painting, photography, both or neither, thereby giving you an opportunity to make the most of your experience. Our trips are designed to hone your skills and expand your creativity, all while you further your artistic voice and immerse yourself in the region's culture and lifestyle. Non-participating partners are encouraged to join us for a reduced price, and we'll help with travel arrangements, tours, transportation, etc. while we're painting and photographing.

ArtTreks – Cinque Teere and Lake Como, Italy
Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop
Sept. 13-22, 2013
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Early Registration Deadline for a $500 Savings: Jan. 11
Final Registration Deadline: March 1
Add on a second Art Trek back to back with the Cinque Terre / Lake Como trip, and join us in Tuscany Sept. 6-14 for a 2 week Italian adventure!

For more details, E-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

***

Monday, January 7, 2013

Tuscany Art Trek - Registration deadline this Saturday


“Under the Tuscan Sun” ©2013 Niki Gulley
Sold • pastel 24” x 36”

“Under the Tuscan Sun,” was inspired from one of the many gorgeous vistas near the villa our group stays in while my husband and professional photographer, Scott Williams, and I are teaching our Tuscany Workshop. Between the vibrant sunset, the gently rolling hills, and this typical stone farm house, I just had to paint this ideal location.

Having fallen in love with Tuscany, we now can't wait to share the Italian experience with other painters, photographers and anyone interested in traveling, so we are leading our 5th Tuscany Art Trek this September.  If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Italy, join me and Scott Williams for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop to Tuscany from Sept. 6th - Sept. 14th.

Our unique Art Treks afford you the option to choose which aspects interest you, whether it is painting, photography, both or neither, thereby giving you an opportunity to make the most of your experience. Our trips are designed to hone your skills and expand your creativity, all while you further your artistic voice and immerse yourself in the region's culture and lifestyle. Non-participating partners are encouraged to join us for a reduced price, and we'll help with travel arrangements, tours, transportation, etc. while we're painting and photographing.

ArtTreks – Tuscany, Italy
Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop
Sept. 6-14, 2013
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Early Registration Deadline for a $500 Savings: Jan. 11
Final Registration Deadline: March 1
Add on a second Art Trek back to back with the Tuscany trip, and join us in Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy for a 2 week Italian adventure!

For more details, E-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
This workshop is filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

***

Friday, January 4, 2013

Winter Birch Trees oil painting by Niki Gulley


“Climbing Trees IV” ©2013 Niki Gulley
40” x 30” oil on canvas

Growing up in the midwest, I loved the first snowfall of the year when everything would get a beautiful dusting of pristine white powder, including even the tiniest of branches in the treetops above. If you caught that moment early enough in the morning before anything had disturbed the intricate frosted web, it was just magical. Then the sun would start rising and peeking through the limbs, and everything would sparkle like diamonds. In Climbing Trees, I wanted to capture that beautiful moment when the sunlight dances through the icing on the treetops and you can feel yourself looking up in wonderment just like you did when you were a kid.

For more information on Climbing Trees IV, please contact my gallery, American Fine Art, at AmericanFineArt.com.

Or, you may visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary birch and aspen tree oil paintings.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Summer Aspen Trees Painting by Niki Gulley


"Seasons of Change, Summer" ©2012 Niki Gulley
30" x 30" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

With "Seasons of Change," I wanted to focus on brilliant color and simple shapes to see if I could communicate the excitement I feel when surrounded by nature. Using energetic diagonal strokes and thick, textured paint, I hope you get a sense of the motion in the leaves and the power of nature to invigorate your spirit. I just love how this piece captured that essence!


This image looks great hung alone or with its companion piece pictured below. 

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