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

"Autumn Reflections" ©2015 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.

If you're in the Dallas area this coming weekend and you'd like to see Autumn Reflections and more of my palette knife paintings in person, please stop by my booth at the Cottonwood Art Festival.

Cottonwood Art Festival

Sat. Oct. 3 • 10am – 7pm

Sun. Sun. Oct. 4 • 10am – 5pm

Richardson, TX

Cottonwood Park at Coit & Beltline

CottonwoodArtFestival.com

If you have any questions, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

Just Sold - "Scenic Route" Palette Knife Oil Painting by Dallas Artist Niki Gulley

“Scenic Route” ©2015 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 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.

If you're in the Dallas area this coming weekend and you'd like to see more of my palette knife landscape paintings in person, please stop by my booth at the Cottonwood Art Festival.

Cottonwood Art Festival

Sat. Oct. 3 • 10am – 7pm

Sun. Oct. 4 • 10am – 5pm

Richardson, TX

Cottonwood Park at Coit and Beltline

CottonwoodArtFestival.com

If you have any questions, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

Recently Sold - "Sun Filled Memories" Contemporary Palette Knife Sunflower Painting by Niki Gulley

“Sun Filled Memories" ©2015 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 20" x 30" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Inspired by our travels to Provence, I painted these cheerful sunflowers with extremely thick oil paint and palette knife so that the resulting image leaps off the canvas and is loaded with energy, color and texture.

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

For more information on my plein air paintings and workshops in Italy and France, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

New "Interplay" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

"Interplay" ©2015 by Niki Gulley

 36" x 48" original textured oil painting

Flickering autumn leaves seem to almost dance in a gentle breeze. I wanted this scene to be filled with movement and energy, so I incorporated a lot of diagonal and curving shapes in the design to suggest that feeling. Contrasting short staccato strokes against blended passages with my palette knives, also increase that sense of motion. I hope you, too, can feel the excitement of walking through the woods on a beautiful fall day, letting your cares slip away and your spirit being invigorated.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Just Sold - "Autumn Flow" Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

"Autumn Flow" ©2015 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 36" x 48" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Sun sets over this tranquil hideaway, casting its golden glow over the distant hills and fall foliage while kissing the water's surface, causing it to shimmer and sparkle. I wanted you to experience a feeling of peace and warmth being immersed in the beauty of nature, letting all of your cares drift away.

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

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

New "Colorful Carousel" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

"Colorful Carousel" ©2015 by Niki Gulley

 36" x 60" original textured oil painting

I wanted this painting to be about the power and energy in nature to invigorate your spirit, so I chose to use warm vivid colors contrasted against cool underbrush while utilizing thick staccato strokes to add to that feeling. I placed the fall foliage in curving sweeping shapes to create a sense of movement, so that you can feel the wind gently rustling the leaves and causing them to dance on a beautiful fall day.

To see my work in person, I'll be exhibiting at Autumn and Art in Witchita, KS this weekend.

Autumn and Art – Bradley Fair

Friday, Sept. 18 • 10am – 7pm

Saturday, Sept. 19 • 10am – 7pm

Sunday, Sept. 20 • 10am – 5pm

Bradley Fair Parkway • Wichita, KS

autumnandart.com

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

New "Dreams Ahead" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

"Dreams Ahead" ©2015 by Niki Gulley

 30" x 40" original textured oil painting

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 this aspen forest. The setting was so peaceful and rejuvenating that I wanted to communicate that joyful feeling of discovery. Filling the canvas with energetic staccato strokes and bold colors, in addition to gently arching the tree trunks reaching 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.

To see my work in person, I'll be exhibiting at Autumn and Art in Witchita, KS this weekend.

Autumn and Art – Bradley Fair

Friday, Sept. 18 • 10am – 7pm

Saturday, Sept. 19 • 10am – 7pm

Sunday, Sept. 20 • 10am – 5pm

Bradley Fair Parkway • Wichita, KS

autumnandart.com

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Just Sold - "Kaleidoscope of Dreams" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

"Kaleidoscope of Dreams" ©2014 by Niki Gulley

SOLD • Four 36" x 36" canvases to form a 72" x 72" quadriptych • original textured oil painting

In this painting, I wanted you to feel like a little kid again – laying on the ground and staring up into the treetops without a care in the world. I hope you experience the joy of being surrounded by nature and the beauty in this autumn kaleidoscope of colors.

Canvas Prints now Available:  While the original oil painting is sold, I do have canvas prints of "Kaleidoscope of Dreams" available. Four 24" x 24" canvases are stretched on 3/4 inch stretcher bars with the image continuing around the edges to form a 48" x 48" quadriptych that does not need to be framed, just like the original . I have also added thick paint in some of the leaves and trunks to add even more texture and making each print one of a kind. Finally, I have coated the canvases with a UV varnish to protect the paintings. The canvases can be hung right up next to each other or spread apart by a few inches to come out to a maximum of 53" x 53". I can also make other sizes or stretch Kaleidoscope of Dreams on deep 1 and 1/2 inch stretcher bars for an additional fee. Please contact me at Niki Gulley for more information on the original painting or canvas prints.

***

To see my work in person, I'll be exhibiting at Autumn and Art in Witchita, KS this weekend.

Autumn and Art – Bradley Fair

Friday, Sept. 18 • 10am – 7pm

Saturday, Sept. 19 • 10am – 7pm

Sunday, Sept. 20 • 10am – 5pm

Bradley Fair Parkway • Wichita, KS

autumnandart.com

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Just Sold - "Fire and Gold" - Textured Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

"Fire and Gold" ©2015 Niki Gulley

SOLD • textured oil on canvas • 36" x 48"

I love the first signs of fall – the crisp feel in the air, the crunching of leaves underfoot, the beautiful autumn colors, and being totally immersed in nature in the middle of a forest without a care in the world. In Fire and Gold I wanted to recreate that joyful feeling, choosing warm reds and yellows of autumn and using energetic strokes with my paint to heighten that mood. Building up first thin transparent layers and then thick textured layers of oil paint also add to a certain glow and magic in the final piece.

E-mail - Niki Gulley for more information.

Please visit NikiGulley.com to see more of her contemporary landscape paintings.

Last Day, Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 6, Provence Art Trek: 

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the last day of our Provence Art Trek, we decided to stay right at our b and b to paint since it was so beautiful. Meanwhile the photographers explored the nearby area and others just relaxed by the pool. Choosing what to paint was a challenge since the grounds are so picturesque. Myself and another painter set up our easels by this lovely courtyard, with this stately tree surrounded by cascading roses, while another chose to paint lavender lined walkway and another set up by the ancient Roman bridge on the back of the property. It was a gorgeous morning and everyone's paintings turned out great!

That evening we gathered for a final critique and "show and tell" from the trip. The photographers presented their best images in a slide show and provided us with happy memories from the trip, while opening our eyes to creative possibilities we never considered. The painters showed off their talented creations from each day of the trip and swapped ideas of which aspects they liked best.

For dinner that night, we gathered for one more delicious meal of escargot, filet crusted in mushrooms and chocolate volcano cake washed down with some amazing red wine. Having formed new friendships and enjoyed wonderful memories from the trip, our Provence Art Trek had come to a bittersweet end.

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Day 5, Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

"Abbey de Senanque," Provence ©2015 Niki Gulley

5" x 7" oil painting

Day 5, Provence Art Trek: the Luberon

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

After a peaceful day in the countryside, we headed to the Luberon hill towns today. Starting our journey at the Abbey de Senanque, some of our group toured the twelfth century sanctuary's interior, while others painted and photographed the lavender fields and grounds surrounding the abbey. Next we traveled to the red and gold colored town of Roussillon, known for its ochre cliffs. Filled with picturesque views, art galleries, restaurants and interesting shops, everyone enjoyed having some free time to wander before we took off for the Pont Julien bridge.

The Roman bridge, dating from 3 BC and constructed without mortar, is an architectural marvel that was still driven on until 2005! After surveying the bridge, we headed back to our b and b. Dinner that night was traditional Provencal fare, including fresh vegetables, fish, meats, and goat cheeses loaded with delicious sauces, garlic and butter. Yum!

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams, Lavender Fields

"Diagonal Patterns," Provence ©2015 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured oil painting

Day 4, Provence Art Trek: Lavender Fields and Greoux les Bains

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Not being able to get enough of the lavender and sunflower fields, we had to paint a second composition. Wanting to focus on something different in this painting, I chose to include more of the landscape so that I could include these amazing clouds drifting by in diagonal patterns that mimicked the lavender rows. The final image is loaded with color, texture and movement! 

We finished our day in the spa town of Greoux les Bains with another amazing Michelin star restaurant.

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Painting and Photographing Lavender Fields in Provence with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 5, Provence Art Trek: Lavender Fields

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
9" x 12" textured oil painting

On the fourth day of our Provence Art Trek, we set up our easels in this gorgeous lavender field. The color and aroma explosion were out of this world – a painter's and photographer's dream come true. Words can't even describe how special that moment was!

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.