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 Colorado Aspen Tree Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

“Aspen Concerto” ©2014 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 Aspen Trunks Palette Knife Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“United" ©2014 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

"Cascading Rhythms" Palette knife oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Cascading Rhythms” ©2014 Niki Gulley

12” x 24” textured oil on canvas

Water pounds its way down the falls: cascading, rushing, charging into the riverbed -- flowing over rocks, swiftly moving forward. Untamed, the surge finds its way over, under, around the boulder-strewn river. Tumbling waters drive up mists above the falls, the rhythmic sounds create a soothing harmony below. Autumn’s low light casts long lines through the Aspen trees and glowing verge.

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

Please visit NikiGulley.com.

"Dancing on Water" Palette Knife Water Lily Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Dancing on Water," Monet's Gardens, Giverny, France  ©2014 Niki Gulley

36" x 60" textured oil painting 

Sunlight sparkles across aqua blue water, diamonds of purple glitter the pond’s surface; water lilies lift their faces toward the sun and gently dance across the water.

Golden sunlight filters through the brambles and ferns, a touch of cardinal red peeks through purple and pink foliage while azure skies reflect in the water.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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

"Luminescent Radiance" textured oil painting of Monet's Garden by Niki Gulley

"Luminescent Radiance" ©2014 Niki Gulley

Two 48" x 18" canvases with one 48" x 30" canvas in the middle to form a 48" x 66" 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.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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

Just Sold! "Spring's Majesty," Texas Hill Country - Bluebonnet painting by Niki Gulley

"Spring's Majesty, Texas Hill Country" ©2014 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 18" x 36" textured painting

"Spring's Majesty" was inspired by a trip to the Texas Hill Country when the bluebonnets were in full splendor. While we were near Fredericksburg, we took a scenic drive along the Willow City Look and as we approached the top of a hill about half way around, we were greeted by this gorgeous view of the rolling hills colored with bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush in full bloom. Then, to top it off the sun was setting in the distance casting its golden glow and backlighting the wildflowers. I had to capture the magical moment, enhancing the kaleidoscope of colors in the sky and along the ground. Arranging clouds, the road and rows of bluebonnets in rhythmic sweeping shapes, create a harmonious landscape that flows with light, texture and color, and suggest a feeling of optimism about what's to come.

"Spring's Majesty" was available through the Good Art Company gallery, goodartcompany.com/gac/.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her Texas bluebonnet paintings.

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

Winter Birch Tree Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“Climbing Trees” ©2014 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.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com or if you are in Chicago, IL this weekend, please stop by my booth at the Wells Street Art Festival.

Wells Street Art Fair
June 14th and 15th • 10am – 8pm
Chicago, IL • on N. Wells St.,
between North Ave. and Division
chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=141 

***

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New "45mph" Winter Landscape Palette Knife Oil 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.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com or if you are in Chicago, IL this weekend, please stop by my booth at the Wells Street Art Festival.

Wells Street Art Fair
June 14th and 15th • 10am – 8pm
Chicago, IL • on N. Wells St.,
between North Ave. and Division
chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=141 

***

E-mail - Niki Gulley

"Curves Ahead" Palette Knife oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Curves Ahead” ©2014 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.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com or if you are in Chicago, IL this weekend, please stop by my booth at the Wells Street Art Festival.

Wells Street Art Fair
June 14th & 15th • 10am – 8pm
Chicago, IL • on N. Wells St.,
between North Ave. and Division
chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=141 

***

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New "Scenic Route" Palette Knife Autumn oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Scenic Route” ©2014 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 palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com or if you are in Chicago, IL this weekend, please stop by my booth at the 57th Street Art Fair.

57th Street Art Fair

Sat. June 7 • 11am – 6pm
Sun. June 8 • 10am – 5pm
Booth #706
Chicago, IL • on 57th St.,
between Kenwood and Kimbark Ave.
57thStreetArtFair.org

***

E-mail - Niki Gulley

Just Sold! "Snake Crossing" Oil Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

"Snake Crossing" ©2014 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 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 Chicago, IL this weekend, please stop by my booth at the 57th Street Art Fair.

57th Street Art Fair

Sat. June 7 • 11am – 6pm

Sun. June 8 • 10am – 5pm

Booth #706

Chicago, IL • on 57th St.,

between Kenwood and Kimbark Ave.

57thStreetArtFair.org

***

E-mail - Niki Gulley

"Heightened Awareness V" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

"Heightened Awareness V” ©2014 Niki Gulley

48” x 30” textured mixed media on canvas

In this painting I wanted you to feel that child-like wonder of staring up in into the treetops and the heavens above. Choosing vibrant, cheerful yellows contrasted against a vivid blue sky and arranging the aspens in a circular pattern heightened by thick, curving paint strokes, both add to that joyful, playful feeling of hope and discovery.

If you're in Chicago this weekend, and you'd like to see more of Niki's aspen and birch paintings, please visit her booth at the 57th Street Art Fair.

57th Street Art Fair

Sat. June 7 • 11am – 6pm

Sun. June 8 • 10am – 5pm

Booth #706

Chicago, IL • on 57th St.,

between Kenwood and Kimbark Ave.

57thStreetArtFair.org

E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information about my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings.

NikiGulley.com