New White Rock Lake Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

“Long Shadows” White Rock Lake ©2014 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.

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

Or if you are in the Dallas area this weekend, please stop by my booth at the Cottonwood Art Festival.

Cottonwood Art Festival (TX)
Sat. May 3 • 10am – 7pm
Sun. May 4 • 10am – 5pm
Richardson, TX
Cottonwood Park at Coit and Beltline
CottonwoodArtFestival.com

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New "Highlands Sunset" Palette Knife oil painting by Niki Gulley

"Highlands Sunset" ©2014 Niki Gulley

12" x 24" textured oil painting

We came across this gorgeous sunset while visiting the Highlands in Scotland. Between the intense colors in the sky, the wide lake spreading before us and the enchanting hills in the distance, I just had to paint this scene. I chose a panorama format to give you a better feeling for its expansive beauty and peacefulness.

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

Or if you are in the Dallas area this weekend, please stop by my booth at the Cottonwood Art Festival.

Cottonwood Art Festival (TX)
Sat. May 3 • 10am – 7pm
Sun. May 4 • 10am – 5pm
Richardson, TX
Cottonwood Park at Coit and Beltline
CottonwoodArtFestival.com

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New "Autumn Reflections" Palette Knife Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Autumn Reflections" ©2014 Niki Gulley

18" x 48" textured oil painting on gallery wrap canvas

In Autumn Reflections, I wanted to give you the feeling of a beautiful, peaceful retreat on a colorful autumn day. To create that feeling of being immersed in nature, I chose this long panorama format so that the sanctuary is completely engulfed in fall foliage, a perfect escape from bustling city life. Loaded with uplifting color, still waters suggest a calming effect. One small ripple in the lake's distance lets you know that some ducks just swam by and you are surrounded by wildlife, not a care in the world.

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

Or if you are in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area this weekend, please stop by my booth at Southlake's Art in the Square.

Art in the Square (TX)
Fri. Apr. 25 • 4pm – 9pm
Sat. Apr. 26 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. Apr. 27 • 11am – 6pm
Southlake Town Sq. • 1256 Main St
Booth #J-5
ArtInTheSquare.com

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New "Primary Colors" Oil Painting by Niki Gulley from Burano, Italy

"Primary Colors," Burano, Italy ©2014 Niki Gulley
12" x 16" textured oil painting

We have been leading Art Treks in Venice, Italy for the past 6 years and one of the places that I look forward to most when we're visiting is the quaint, colorful island of Burano. Known for making lace by hand, what I particular love are all of the vibrant painted houses and the reflections they cast in the canals. I feel like a kid in a candy store, not knowing what to paint first. It is such a visual feast for your eyes! I was particularly drawn to this scene with the warm reds and yellows contrasted against the vivid  calm blue water, fishing boats docked for the day and some clean clothes drying in the distance.

If you'd like to join us next February in Venice for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming ArtTreks

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

New Orleans, LA - Oct. 22-25, 2014

2015

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 2015

 Athens and Santorini, Greece – June 26 – May 2015

The French Riviera – June 2014

 Provence, France – June /July 2015

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

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

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

New "Building on the Past" Oil Painting of the Cinque Terre by Niki Gulley

"Building on the Past," Cinque Terre, Italy ©2014 Niki Gulley
40" x 30" oil painting on wrap around canvas

Last year on our Cinque Terre Art Trek, we set up our easels in Riomaggiore and I tried to capture the intricate puzzle of stacked houses precariously balanced one on top of each other lining this cliffside. The engineering feat to build them fascinates me, and I love their bright hues contrasted against the Mediterranean's blues. I wonder what it's like to live there, to see that gorgeous ocean view out your window everyday and on the flip side, trying to navigate all of the uneven steep steps with groceries and daily tasks. Once back in my studio, I took my plein air sketch and photos and created this larger version of Riomaggiore in all of its colorful glory. I hope you can still hear the cathartic sounds of the waves crashing against the rocky shore and the joy of being on vacation in such a beautiful, uplifting place.

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 ArtTreks

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

New Orleans, LA - Oct. 22-25, 2014

2015

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 2015

 Athens and Santorini, Greece – June 26 – May 2015

The French Riviera – June 2014

 Provence, France – June /July 2015

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

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

***

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

New "Creating Memories" Palette Knife Oil Painting of Venice, Italy by Niki Gulley

"Creating Memories," Venice ©2014 Niki Gulley

24" x 36" • textured oil painting

Inspired from our very first trip to Italy, I fell in love with everything about Venice. The city feels preserved in time with all transportation happening on water versus roads. The architecture, art, history, and people are all fascinating, the food and wine delicious, and it was such a romantic place to visit. So in this painting, I captured a lone gondola to convey that feeling of lazily drifting along with your loved one down this brick canal filled with history and future memories.

If you'd like to join us in Venice for our next Art Trek during Carnival in February 2015, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming ArtTreks

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

New Orleans, LA - Oct. 22-25, 2014

2015

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 2015

 Athens and Santorini, Greece – June 26 – May 2015

The French Riviera – June 2014

 Provence, France – June /July 2015

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

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

***

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

New "October Reflections" Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

"October Reflections" ©2014 Niki Gulley

30" x 40" textured oil painting on gallery wrap canvas

Living in Dallas we are surrounded by concrete, but I have a couple of favorite spots that I go to when I want to be immersed in nature. This pond is always filled with lily pads that I enjoy painting in the spring, but I wanted to paint them in the autumn this time surrounded by the beautiful fall colors. I loved the contrast of the bright azure sky being reflected an inky blue in the water against the fiery reds in the foliage. Arranging the composition in a circular pattern to suggest harmony and tranquility, I hope you feel energized and rejuvenated gazing upon this peaceful oasis.

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

E-mail - Niki Gulley

"Bluebonnet Reflections" Oil Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

"Bluebonnet Reflections" ©2014 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured oil painting

In Bluebonnet Reflections, I wanted to capture the beautiful reflections on this pond in Ennis, Texas with bluebonnets filling the distant hills and leading your eye back towards the wooden bridge. Painted with a combination of brush and palette knife, the finished image is loaded with depth and color.

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

If you'd like to see "Bluebonnet Reflections" and more of my Texas wildflower scenes in person, please stop by my booth at the Southlake art show this weekend.

Art in the Square (TX)
Fri. Apr. 25 • 4pm – 9pm
Sat. Apr. 26 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. Apr. 27 • 11am – 6pm
Southlake Town Sq. • 1256 Main St
Booth #J-5
ArtInTheSquare.com

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New Bluebonnet Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

"Blue Morning, Nash Farm" ©2014 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured oil painting

Painted on location at Nash Farm, these Texas bluebonnets are loaded with texture, color and dimension!

To see more of my contemporary palette knife landscape paintings and Texas wildflower scenes, visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

"October Rhythms" Palette Knife Aspen Trees by Niki Gulley

"October Rhythms" ©2014 Niki Gulley

36" x 48" textured oil painting on gallery wrap canvas

I find being immersed in nature can have such an uplifting effect, and I wanted to share that feeling with you in October Rhythms. I chose pure, intense reds and yellows contrasted against autumn golds and chocolates to create an fall forest that vibrates with color, energy and sound. The repetition in the aspen trunks and foliage patterns, combined with the flickering tones of the breeze rustling the leaves reminded me of a symphony in the forest so I titled this painting October Rhythms.

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

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New "Snake Crossing" Oil Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

"Snake Crossing" ©2014 Niki Gulley

20" x 24" • textured oil on 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 trips out west. Not only do I love the various rock formations in the distance and the dramatic sunset, 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 ahead. All lines are designed to beckon you into the distance, and an upcoming snake crossing road sign hints that you have escaped city life and are immersed in a vast unspoiled landscape. This low angle of the road combined with energetic diagonal strokes is designed to give you the feeling of freedom while driving cross country in search for whatever your journey holds next.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com or if you are in the Austin, TX area this weekend, please stop by my booth at Art City Austin.

Art City Austin (TX)
Sat. April 12 • 10am – 8pm
Sun. April 13 • 11am – 6pm
2nd St. Retail & Shopping District
ArtAllianceAustin.org

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E-mail - Niki Gulley

New Sunflower Palette Knife Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

"Sun Drenched" ©2014 Niki Gulley

30" x 48" • textured oil on canvas

Inspired by our trip to Provence last summer, I was awestruck by these massive fields of sunflowers blooming. Seeing this brilliant carpet of gold, with its sea of faces smiling towards the sun, just made me feel happy and I wanted you to experience that joy, too. In person “Sun Drenched” practically leaps off the canvas with its vibrant yellow petals and extremely thick three-dimensional oil paint.

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to the French Riviera and Provence in June, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing during lavender and sunflower season in France, and following in the footsteps of Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne, please join us for this amazing trip! For more details, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com or if you are in the Dallas area this weekend, please stop by my booth at the Deep Ellum Arts Festival.

Deep Ellum Art Festival (TX)

Fri. April 4 • 11pm – 9pm

Sat. April 5 • 11am – 9pm

Sun. April 6 • 11am – 7pm

Dallas • booth #39 on Main @Walton

DeepEllumArtsFestival.com

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E-mail - Niki Gulley

Niki Gulley at Deep Ellum Arts Festival this Weekend

"Sharing the Sun" ©2014 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" • textured oil on canvas

Inspired by our trip to Provence last summer, I was filled with joy by these massive fields of sunflowers blooming. Wanting to paint a tall vertical and capture enough sky to show the fluffy white clouds drifting by on this beautiful summer day, I included the tree branch on the left so that it would lead your eye down to the sunflowers and fill the negative space such as done in Asian art, which I've always admired. Loaded with unexpected happy colors, diagonal strokes creating energy and movement, and thick paint causing extreme dimension, this painting shows the beauty and power of nature to uplift your spirits, and cast sunshine on life.

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to the French Riviera and Provence in June, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing during lavender and sunflower season in France, and following in the footsteps of Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne, please join us for this amazing trip! For more details, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com or if you are in the Dallas area this weekend, please stop by my booth at the Deep Ellum Arts Festival.

Deep Ellum Art Festival (TX)

Fri. April 4 • 11pm – 9pm

Sat. April 5 • 11am – 9pm

Sun. April 6 • 11am – 7pm

Dallas • booth #39 on Main @Walton

DeepEllumArtsFestival.com

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E-mail - Niki Gulley