"Butterfly on Elephant Ears" Arboretum -25"x19" pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Butterfly on Elephant Ears" 25"x19" pastel
© Niki Gulley

Vibrant yellows with a rainbow of colors in the background.

What a treat to find this little guy taking a break on these elephant ears at the Dallas Arboretum.  The black and orange of this monarch butterfly caught my eye but the curves of the ears lead me right to him.
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For more information on "Butterfly on Elephant Ears," please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

"Taking Flight" London - 24" x 18" - pastel pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Taking Flight" 24"x18" Pastel - Dallas Arboretum
© Niki Gulley

Swirling background with vibrant colors and deep undertones.

The pair of Irises was found at the Dallas Arboretum, one of my favorite places to in Dallas.  I love the way the petals fell showing the various shades of purple.
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For more information on "Taking Flight," please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

"Purple Irises" pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

Purple Irises - 24" x 18" ©Niki Gulley
White Rock Lake Dallas

Soft cool colors of purple

Irises are just one of the many flowers found at White Rock Lake in Dallas.  This group with the diagonal line made the piece.  The petals falling right into place as if they were instructed.

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For more information on "Purple Irises," please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

"Making Connections" London - 14" x 18" - pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

Making Connections, London - 14" x 18" - pastel
© Niki Gulley

England Train Station, the Harry Potter shopping cart porthole.   I like the variety of this scene and the many ways it can be interpreted.  The pastels give it a sense of loneliness or uncertainty.  Possibly a new college grad starting their new career with all of their belongings packed for a train ride.  Or maybe a performer moving on to their next gig.  Whatever "connection" you make with this piece, I hope you like it. 

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For more information on "Making Connections," please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

"Santorini Sunset" Pastel Landscape by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Santorini Sunset" ©2014 Niki Gulley
12" x 24" pastel

My husband and I honeymooned in Greece and fell in love with everything about it. Definitely one of our favorite spots was the island of Santorini for its beautiful views of the Caldera, its white-washed architecture with the signature blue domes, the laid back attitude and the warmth of the people. Here is a view at the far end of the island in the town of Oia. I wanted to capture the "skyline," ocean view and the gorgeous sunset that night.

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If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Greece, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek to Athens and Santorini, Greece May 8-16, 2015. We'd love to have you join us! E-mail Niki Gulley for more information or go to nikigulley.com/artreks for more details on France, Greece, or our Italy Art Treks.

For more information on "Santorini Sunset," please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

"Blind Light" Dallas pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

Blind Light, Dallas West End - pastel - 12" x 18"
© Niki Gulley

Another one of my adventures to the Dallas West End brought me to  this scene.  The light patterns and the lone guy walking away drew me in.  I really like the way the colors fade in the distance.  The leading lines put you right on the street.

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information about "Blind Light"

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Please visit my website at NikiGulley.com  to see more of my pastels and oil paintings of contemporary art.  Or plan to attend this upcoming tour:

White Rock Artists Studio Tour

Sat. Oct. 11 • 10am – 5pm

Sun. Oct. 12 • 10am – 5pm

WhiteRockArtists.com

"Shift Change" Dallas pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Shift Change, Dallas West End - Pastel 12"X18"
© Niki Gulley

Lights glitter from their hiding places, nestled among the branches, mimicking the gleam of the stars high overhead. The wait staff gather outside, savoring the cool air, their work for the day done. Having left the fast paced world inside of Landry's, they take a moment, and a breath, unwinding with a chat.   The pastels in this piece help the light bleed into the dark, capturing well the inviting warmth of Landry's Seafood. In this scene we get to a changing of the guard, one no less important than any other. The lines guide you in, much like the pedestrians wandering into the scene. E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information about "Shift Change". *** Please visit my website at NikiGulley.com  to see more of my pastels and oil paintings of contemporary art.   Or plan to attend this upcoming tour: White Rock Artists Studio Tour Sat. Oct. 11 • 10am – 5pm Sun. Oct. 12 • 10am – 5pm WhiteRockArtists.com

Lights glitter from their hiding places, nestled among the branches, mimicking the gleam of the stars high overhead. The wait staff gather outside, savoring the cool air, their work for the day done. Having left the fast paced world inside of Landry's, they take a moment, and a breath, unwinding with a chat.  

The pastels in this piece help the light bleed into the dark, capturing well the inviting warmth of Landry's Seafood. In this scene we get to a changing of the guard, one no less important than any other. The lines guide you in, much like the pedestrians wandering into the scene.

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information about "Shift Change".

***

Please visit my website at NikiGulley.com  to see more of my pastels and oil paintings of contemporary art.  

Or plan to attend this upcoming tour:

White Rock Artists Studio Tour

Sat. Oct. 11 • 10am – 5pm

Sun. Oct. 12 • 10am – 5pm

WhiteRockArtists.com

"Lucky's Cafe", local diner in Dallas pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Lucky's Cafe" Dallas, TX - pastel 12"X18"
© Niki Gulley

Friends sit and gaze at the mass of beauty and indecision that is the menu. The fear of missing out on any number of delectable dishes makes it nearly impossible to chose. Their eyes waver between the menu in their hands and the massive chalk board that dominates the far wall. Mom's meatloaf? Good Luck Reuben? And who could pass up the Sleaziest, Cheesiest, Grilled Cheese in Town? But, then, it is found: Chicken Fried Steak, a delicious staple of home-style comfort food.

Every once and a while, it's nice to share a little home-town spirit. Coming from Dallas, I thought it would be nice to capture a local favorite, Lucky's Cafe, on Oaklawn Ave. Even outside, you can feel the energy that emanates from within and cuts through the heavy blanket of night. 

The pastels in this piece help to bring out the warmth and light that fills every corner of this treasure of Dallas.  A very quaint piece.

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information about "Lucky's Cafe"

***

Please visit my website at NikiGulley.com  to see more of my pastels and oil paintings of contemporary art.  Or plan to attend this upcoming tour:

White Rock Artists Studio Tour

Sat. Oct. 11 • 10am – 5pm

Sun. Oct. 12 • 10am – 5pm

WhiteRockArtists.com

"Dining al Fresco" Venice pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

Dining al Fresco, Venice - 12"X18" Pastel ©2014 Niki Gulley

A warm evening breeze stirs, caressing your face as you dine. The sights and sounds of Venice mingle before your eyes, an unfolding opera of color and light. A couple strolls, enamored with the beauty that envelopes them, drawn into the Italian night, hand in hand. The love between them is nearly palpable, and as they pass you by, you feel it radiate off of them, just as the light spreads itself against the encroaching night.

The soft touch of the pastels help to capture the calm evening. Venice is filled with the romance and this scene really resonated with me. The warm palette gives one a feeling of calm, a comforting touch, as if by a summer breeze. 

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If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek to Venice during Carnivalé, Feb. 7-14, 2015. We'd love to have you join us! E-mail Niki Gulley for more information or go to nikigulley.com/artreks for more details on France, Greece, or our Italy Art Treks.

For more information on "Dining al Fresco," please e-mail Niki Gulley nikigulley@sbcglobal.net.

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

"A Pause in Time" Venice pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“A Pause in Time” Venice, Italy ©2012 Niki Gulley

18” x 24” pastel

Mysterious, enchanted, dreamlike – Venice is a fairytale at night.

Evening has drawn its starry cloak over the city, the crowds and pigeons are gone and three women enjoy the evening at a café in Piazza San Marco.

This changeling city, this artist’s muse now is unhurried, relaxed and romantic

and this one perfect moment in time is held in artful pastels, satiated colors – 

rich velvet textures capture ebony/violet chairs that Peggy, Pollock or Cole Porter may have sat in,

paintings of angels from old Venice and three modern women of today complete this delicate balance in a point of time.

This piece won an award at the Southwest Pastel Society's 31st National Juried Show Exhibit.

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If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek to Venice during Carnivalé, Feb. 7-14, 2015. We'd love to have you join us! E-mail Niki Gulley for more information or go to nikigulley.com/artreks for more details on France, Greece, or our Italy Art Treks.

For more information on "Bon Appetito," please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

"Bon Appetito" Venice pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Bon Appetito” ©2014 Niki Gulley
Pastel 24” x 36”

On my first trip to Europe, my husband wanted to take me to Venice since it was one of his favorite cities, and I fell in love with almost everything about it. The timeless quality created by living on canals free of cars, the history in the architecture and even the cobbled walkways, the beauty of the scenery and the magical quality created by the light to name just a few of my favorite things. I love how food and meals play such an important role in Italian culture – a time to slow down and enjoy friendships while savoring the locally grown cuisine and wines over the course of the evening. In this pastel I wanted to communicate all of those joyful feelings in addition to capturing the energy and romance of the city at night. Bon Appetito!

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If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek to Venice during Carnivalé, Feb. 7-14, 2015. We'd love to have you join us! E-mail Niki Gulley for more information or go to nikigulley.com/artreks for more details on France, Greece, or our Italy Art Treks.

For more information on "Bon Appetito," please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

"Daybreak" pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Daybreak" ©2014 Niki Gulley

pastel • 16" x 40"

Whenever I can actually wake up by dawn, I am always inspired by the magical light that casts its glow across the horizon and am rewarded by the peacefulness before humanity starts stirring. In Daybreak, I wanted to capture that magical morning light and the quiet mysterious mood created from the sun's rays peeking through the trees, casting their long dramatic shadows and softening the distant landscape.

For more information on "Daybreak," please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

"Golden Moment" pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Golden Moment" ©2012 Niki Gulley

12" x 24" pastel

I painted this pastel at the Dallas Arboretum last fall to capture the gorgeous fall colors, and the mysterious long shadows cast by the sun as it was nearing sunset. I loved the vivid reds and oranges of the foliage, and the way the sun was causing those colors to glow along with the highlights on the path.

For more information on "Golden Moment," please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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