Plein Air Painting in Venice with Niki Gulley

"Romantic Passage," Venice ©2013 Niki Gulley

12" x 9" • textured oil painting

We just got back from teaching our latest Painting and Photography Art Trek in Venice during Carnivalé and had the most amazing time! The weather was ideal our first day there, and we found our way to this quiet landing to paint a typical Venetian canal. I liked the way the sunlight reflected across the water's surface, and I really wanted to capture a gondola in that lit space, but since they move so quickly that was no easy task! Luckily around 11am, there was a steady stream of gondolas passing by our location. I found myself painting as quickly as I could while one came into my composition, and if I didn't capture it in time, fortunately another vessel would come into view shortly afterwards, and I was really pleased with the results.

If you'd like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know. The final registration deadline of March 1st for our Tuscany and Cinque Terre/Lake Como, Italy workshops is quickly approaching!

Or, closer to home I'll be leading a Plein Air Painting Workshop sponsored through the Good Art Company gallery in Fredericksburg, TX, April 5-7, during Texas wildflower season.

ArtTreks
Tuscany, Italy - Sept. 6-14
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy - Sept. 13-22
Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Final Registration Deadline: March 1st
For more details, E-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Plein Air Painting in the Texas Hill Country

April 5-7, 2013

http://goodartcompany.com/gacart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=39_47&products_id=215

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

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www.NikiGulley.com

New Sunflower series by Niki Gulley

"Sun Salutations II" ©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 (pictured above), 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.

Textured Sunflower Oil Paintings by Niki Gulley

"Sun Salutations III" ©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 (pictured above). 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.

New Palette Knife Sunflower Paintings by Niki Gulley

"Sunburst IV" ©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 (pictured above), 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.

"Sun Salutations" New Sunflower oil 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.

"Orchestrating Radiance" New Water Lily triptych oil painting by Niki Gulley

"Orchestrating Radiance" ©2013 Niki Gulley

Three 48" x 30" canvases to form a 48" x 90" triptych

Textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

I wanted this large-scale painting 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 shoreline, shadows and reflections in a curving pattern to add to that mood. Dripping willow leaves frame the foreground as water lilies skim the pond's surface. 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.

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

E-mail - Niki Gulley

"Aspen Vista Trail, Summer" Textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Aspen Vista Trail, Summer” ©2013 Niki Gulley

16" x 20” textured oil painting on canvas

On our Santa Fe Art Trek last year, 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, I set out to capture the peacefulness and contentment of being immersed in nature.

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

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

"Road to Abiquiu" New Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“Road to Abiquiu” ©2013 Niki Gulley

12" x 24” 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. In order to capture the sense of the vast open landscape and magnificent skies found here, I chose a panorama format for this painting. I not only wanted to capture the rugged beauty of New Mexico, 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 Niki Gulley.

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

"Sunny Disposition" New Sunflower palette knife painting by Niki Gulley

“Sunny Disposition” ©2013 Niki Gulley

30" x 48” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Festive, sun-filled blossoms dance in the gentle breeze, filling the field with sweet fragrance. This textured oil painting captures a carefree summer morning with sunflowers overflowing the foreground, filling up the field with joy under the sunny skies above.

If you'd like to join us in Provence, France (in June/July 2014) as part of our Plein-Air Painting / Photography Art Treks Workshops, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, visit http://www.nikigulley.com/artreks to find out more about our upcoming trips.

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For more information on my textured sunflower and poppy field oil paintings, e-mail niki@nikigulley or go to NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

"Reclining Thoughts" New Textured Aspen oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Reclining Thoughts” ©2013 Niki Gulley

48" x 36” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

In this painting, I wanted you to you to experience the wonderment of looking up into the treetops – just like you did when you were a kid. Lying on the ground, not a care in the world, you gaze in wonderment as the clouds drift by. Choosing playful colors and thick chunky staccato strokes add to that childlike whimsy and I hope you are transported back to a happy, carefree time and place.

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

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

"Destination Unknown" New Palette Knife Aspen painting by Niki Gulley

“Destination Unknown” ©2013 Niki Gulley

36" x 48” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

On one of our plein air painting trips we led, we happened upon this gorgeous aspen grove. Enjoying the melodic tinkling of the aspen leaves rustling in the breeze, the trickling sounds of the babbling brook at our backs, and the beauty of fall ablaze with color, I felt invigorated as I began painting. The setting was so peaceful and rejuvenating that I wanted to communicate that joyful feeling of discovery in this piece. Filling the canvas with energetic staccato strokes and bold colors, in addition to gently arching the tree trunks towards the sky add to that uplifting feeling. And then just a sliver of the trail cutting through the forest, suggests the excitement of the journey that is to come.

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

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

"Ascension Sunset" Hawaiian Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“Ascension Sunset” ©2013 Niki Gulley

60" x 36” textured oil on wrap around canvas

Lush. Exotic. Beauty Untamed. 

Rugged and Wild. Rich and Velvety. Welcoming and Mystical. 

Warm and Radiant.

Escaping the high-traffic tourist areas, we found Hawaii truly enchanting. While these steps really existed, I incorporated them into my painting because of what they could represent, beckoning you on a personal journey of discovery and hope.

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

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