Andalusia Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams: Toledo

Day 1, Afternoon - Toledo, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

12" x 9" oil painting by Niki Gulley

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

After lunch on the first day of our Spain Art Trek, we gave everyone free time to explore the city. Some visited the Cathedral, some toured the el Greco art museum, others shopped and some painted. 

I set up my easel in this peaceful garden shaded by these massive trees and painted the colorful architecture in the distance and the beautiful dappled light raking across the scene. That evening we dined on a gourmet tapas meal of scallops wrapped in bacon with lobster sauce, duck and strawberry salad, beef tenderloin with grilled asparagus, smoked octopus and assorted desserts. Delicious and a perfect ending to a fun-filled day!

Dinner in Toledo

Next summer we will be leading three different Art Treks 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 trips! See details at ArtTreks.org.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Andalusia, Spain Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 1 - Toledo, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the first full day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in southern Spain, the painters set up their easels at this gorgeous overlook of the river below and the San Martin bridge built in the 14th century. Meanwhile the photographers and tourists visited the major sites in the city from Medieval synagogues, churches and mosques to wandering the labyrinth of streets and shops. Meeting up for lunch, we dined al fresco on paella, fresh salads and stews, while we swapped experiences from our morning.

Painting at the San Martin bridge overlook

Next summer we will be leading three different Art Treks 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 trips! See details at ArtTreks.org.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Just Sold - "Creating Memories" Palette Knife Oil Painting of Venice, Italy by Niki Gulley

"Creating Memories," Venice ©2016 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 24" x 36" • textured oil painting

Inspired from our 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 have any questions, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

New "Happy Thoughts" Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Happy Thoughts II" ©2016 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

I'm excited to announce that "Happy Thoughts II" has been juried into the "Discovery Show" at Milan Gallery in Fort Worth, TX. Please stop by this month if you're in the area to view the show. milangallery.com

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 floral and landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

***

For more information on our plein air painting and photography Art Treks workshops in Europe, please check out ArtTreks.org.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New Palette Knife Lavender Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Fragrant Convergence" ©2016 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

The lavender fields in Provence are incredible – perfectly manicured rows and rows of an explosion of violet as far as the eye can see. I wanted to try something different in this painting, arranging the purple waves vertically to draw your eye up to the lone tree in the distance. One puffy cloud mirrors its shape as the lavender columns create a flowing rhythm. Perspective lines all converge, leading you to this joyful spot and I hope you can smell the amazing aromas and feel your spirits lifted while gazing into this scene!

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

If you're near Ann Arbor, MI, please stop by my booth at the State Street Art Fair this Thurs. - Sun.

State Street Area Art Fair
Thurs. July 21 • 10am – 9pm
Fri. July 22 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 23 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 24 • 10am – 6pm
Ann Arbor, MI • on N. University between Thayer & State St.
Booth #2014B – 2015B
a2StateStreetAreaArtFair.com

***

For more information on our plein air painting and photography Art Treks workshops in Europe, please check out ArtTreks.org.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New Palette Knife Iris Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Flowing into Spring III" ©2016 Niki Gulley
24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas • Lee Park, Dallas

Painted on location at Lee Park in Dallas, I loved how the irises signaled that spring was in full bloom. Standing tall, anchoring this corner of the creek these purple blooms lead your eye up through the canvas, along the water's edge to the stone bridge in the distance. The soft light adds to the peacefulness of this tranquil spot, and I hope all of your cares are transported away while lifting your spirits.

If you're near Ann Arbor, MI, please stop by my booth at the State Street Art Fair this Thurs. - Sun.

State Street Area Art Fair
Thurs. July 21 • 10am – 9pm
Fri. July 22 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 23 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 24 • 10am – 6pm
Ann Arbor, MI • on N. University between Thayer & State St.
Booth #2014B – 2015B
a2StateStreetAreaArtFair.com

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

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New "Flowing into Spring II" Palette Knife Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

"Flowing into Spring II" ©2016 Niki Gulley
24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

I painted this scene from the Dallas Arboretum on location a few weeks ago when the weather was beautiful and the spring buds were in full bloom. I love tulips being one of the first flowers to announce that winter has officially ended, so I focused on these colorful red and white striped ones in the foreground, which contrast so well against the complimentary green leaves and grasses. I also liked how their height leads you back into the distant flower beds and onto the Degolyer house in the background, so I chose this vertical panorama format to accentuate that feeling. Loaded with thick oil paint, texture and movement, I hope you can feel the joy that spring is in the air!

If you're near Ann Arbor, MI, please stop by my booth at the State Street Art Fair this Thurs. - Sun.

State Street Area Art Fair
Thurs. July 21 • 10am – 9pm
Fri. July 22 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 23 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 24 • 10am – 6pm
Ann Arbor, MI • on N. University between Thayer & State St.
Booth #2014B – 2015B
a2StateStreetAreaArtFair.com

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

E-mail - Niki Gulley

Palette Knife Poppy Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Carpet of Crimson II" ©2016 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 24" x 12" textured oil painting

Just Sold! I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of color and energy. Set beneath a vibrant blue sky on a beautiful day in springtime with the poppies and wildflowers in full bloom, I hope all of your cares drift away while gazing into this cheerful scene.

In this vertical wildflower series, I've framed the paintings in espresso floater frames so that you can still see the textured oil paint continuing around the edges of the canvas. These poppies look great hung alone or in a grouping, too!

To see more of Niki Gulley's textured landscape paintings please check out NikiGulley.com,

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary poppy, sunflower, lavender and wildflower paintings.

***

For more information on our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek Workshops in Italy, England and Ireland, please visit www.ArtTreks.org or e-mail Niki Gulley.

New "Flowing into Spring" Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Flowing into Spring" ©2016 Niki Gulley
24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas, Dallas Arboretum

I painted this scene from the Dallas Arboretum on location a few weeks ago when the weather was beautiful and the spring buds were in full bloom. I was attracted to this Azalea trail with the vivid fuchsia blossoms tucked away in this cool, shady, peaceful garden. Choosing a vertical panoramic format leads your eye from the azaleas to wander up the trail towards the light and the beautiful dogwood tree in the distance, all while lifting your spirits.

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

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New "Visions of Azaleas" Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

"Visions of Azaleas" ©2016 Niki Gulley
24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Painted on location, I set up my easel in front of these prolific azalea bushes along Turtle Creek near my home. The vibrant pinks and fuchsia were so full of life set against the cool green leaves, that I wanted to capture not only that vivid spring color but also the elegant sycamore tree in the distance with its speckled white bark.  Contrasting the height of the vertical tree against the horizontal blooms, I chose this vertical panoramic canvas, and repeating shapes throughout creates a harmony to the overall scene. Painted with palette knife and lots of texture, I hope you can feel the beauty and energy of a perfect spring day.

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

E-mail - Niki Gulley

Just Sold - "Carpet of Crimson" Tuscany Painting by Niki Gulley

"Carpet of Crimson" ©2016 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 24" x 12" textured oil painting

I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of color and energy. Set beneath a multi-hued sky on a beautiful day in springtime with the poppies and wildflowers in full bloom, I hope all of your cares drift away while gazing into this cheerful scene.

In this vertical wildflower series, I've framed the paintings in espresso floater frames so that you can still see the textured oil paint continuing around the edges of the canvas. These poppies look great hung alone or in a grouping, too!

To see more of Niki Gulley's textured landscape paintings please check out NikiGulley.com,

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary poppy, sunflower, lavender and wildflower paintings.

***

For more information on our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek Workshops in Italy, England and Ireland, please visit www.ArtTreks.org or e-mail Niki Gulley.

"Bend Ahead" - New Colorado Aspen Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Bend Ahead” ©2016 Niki Gulley

24” x 18" textured oil painting

Inspired by a trip to Colorado in the fall, trying to catch the beautiful autumn aspens leaves before they dropped, we just caught the last glimpse of color before an early snowfall hit. The combination of golden leaves set against the vivid blue sky, and the cool snow shadows contrasted against glowing light highlights as the sun cast its warming rays, was a symphony to the eye! I hope you, too, can slow down and enjoy the beautiful scenery on this winding journey.

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

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

New "Kid's Perspective" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

"Kid's Perspective" ©2016 Niki Gulley

textured oil painting on canvas • 20" x 30"

In "Kid's Perspective" I wanted you to feel that child-like wonder of staring up in into the treetops and heavens above. Choosing uplifting golds and soft shades of tangerine contrasted against a blue sky with gentle clouds drifting by, I've arranged the aspens in a circular pattern to give you a sense of laying on the ground, surrounded by the forest and to direct your eye to the focal point. Utilizing thick, curving paint strokes adds to that joyful, playful feeling of hope and discovery.

To see more of my impressionist palette knife paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.

If you have any questions about my aspen and birch tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Just Sold - Sunflower and Poppy Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Happy Thoughts" ©2016 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Inspired by our travels to Provence, I painted these cheerful sunflowers and poppies 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 floral and landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

***

For more information on our plein air painting and photography Art Treks workshops in Europe, please check out ArtTreks.org.

E-mail - Niki Gulley