New "Sunny Skies" Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“Sunny Skies" ©2016 Niki Gulley

30" x 48" textured mixed media painting on wrap around canvas

Festive, sun-filled blossoms dance in the gentle breeze, filling the field with sweet fragrance. This textured painting captures a carefree summer morning with sunflowers overflowing the foreground, filling up the field with joy under sunny skies as voluminous clouds drift by overhead.

If you are interested in purchasing "Sunny Skies," please contact my gallery in Fredericksburg, TX, The Good Art Company. For details, visit goodartcompany.com/gacart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25&zenid=0l0lnd9s4c59tdt3h19uci0rb1.

For more information on textured sunflower and poppy paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at: nikigulley.com.

SOLD - "What Dreams Are Made Of" Quadriptych Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

"What Dreams Are Made Of" ©2016 by Niki Gulley

SOLD • Four 36" x 36" canvases to form a 72" x 72" quadriptych • 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.

Here is the original "What Dreams Are Made Of" hanging in the great room of its new home!

Canvas Prints now 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 "What Dreams Are Made Of" 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 more of my contemporary landscape paintings online, visit NikiGulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my available palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings.

SOLD - "A Touch of Gold" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

“A Touch of Gold" ©2016 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 30" x 40" textured oil on canvas

Scrolling bark peels back like white washed parchment revealing secrets in the deeply textured wood below. A painting of grace and beauty, its verticality offset by embracing branches wound round as a sheltering arm. Each stroke is crisp, vivid, defined by thick textured oil, rich colors contrasted against subtle ivories strike a reververberating chord and creating a visual vibration that resonates in an optical song.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured aspen and birch oil paintings.

NikiGulley.com

New Palette Knife Lavender Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Fragrance Convergence II" ©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 rows vertically to draw your eye up to the lone stone farmhouse in the distance. A few clouds drifting by mirror the shapes of the lavender waves to 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.

***

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 "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 Sunflower Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Happy Thoughts III" ©2016 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" 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 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

Just Sold - "Balcony with a View" Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

Day 3, Greece Art Trek:  Santorini

SOLD • 12" x 9" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the third day of our Greece Art Trek, we flew to Santorini and gawked at the amazing view from our hotel overlooking the caldera. Our painters set up their easels right there since the scenery was so beautiful, while the photographers toured through town, shooting the white washed architecture and fantastic views of the ocean below. I chose this vantage of the potted succulent set against the vivid blue water and white stucco balcony. With several clouds in the sky, everything had a nice soft light that created subtle shadows, intense colors and a cool breeze, making it such a pleasant day to paint.

Taking a little time out to enjoy the view and sample the Greek wines, which are quite tasty!

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Paris and Provence, France 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! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionistic paintings.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

Palette Knife Bluebonnet Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

6" x 8" Textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

I was asked to create this special bluebonnet and Indian Paintbrush oil for a collector in Colorado to coordinate with other paintings she had representing each of her grandchildren and the states they were born. I was flattered to do so! The final painting is filled with color and texture so that the Texas wildflowers leap off the canvas.

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

For more information on my bluebonnet paintings and Texas landscapes, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

"Journey in Time" Santa Fe Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

"Journey in Time," Santa Fe, NM ©2016 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 12" x 24" textured oil painting

Just Sold! This church, Canyoncito, near Santa Fe, NM is so charming that I decided to paint it in the setting around it to add to that idyllic feel. I loved how the brilliant white of the stucco and the red roof made the church stand out against all of the greenery and blue sky. Choosing the panorama format helps to set the scene and adding long shadows from the left, leads your eye into the composition and to the focal point.

Painting at Canyoncito.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops.

For more information on Dallas art classes, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more details her contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings.

***

NikiGulley.com

Andalusia, Spain Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 7 • Sevilla, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

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

On the last day of our Spain Art Trek, we visited Plaza de España, a Moorish paradisiacal gathering place with a half mile of tiled fountains, pavilions, ponds and lush plantings. Some of my painters captured the river and bridges flowing through the center of the park, while others focused more on the unusual architectural elements. After shooting the area, the photographers and tourists continued on to visit more of the city, and we met up that evening to catch a Flamenco concert. Filled with haunting refrains from the Spanish guitar while dancers entertained with rapid, energetic footwork, sweeping movements and mesmerizing gestures, we were so wrapped up in the performance, an hour felt like minutes. For our final night, we treated ourselves to dining outside on a delicious meal with new friends and wonderful memories.

Breakfast from our hotel rooftop in Sevilla

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 6 • Sevilla, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

Mini orange tree, Sevilla • 12" x 9" oil painting by Niki Gulley

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

On our first full day in Sevilla, we visited the exotic Alcazar Palace and Gardens in the morning, stopping for lunch on the way back to the hotel, and then we split up in the afternoon. The rooftop deck from our hotel had such incredible 360 degree views of the city with its interesting mix of modern and medieval architecture, from Moorish minarets and gothic cathedrals to newer residences, that we decided to paint right there. The photographers continued to explore the city while some tourists shopped and others visited the Cathedral, which is the third largest Gothic church in the world. That night we dined on an incredible authentic Andalusian dinner washed down with some tasty local wines - delicious!

Part of our Art Trek group in front of Sevilla's town square • Photo by budding photographer and Art Trek participant Ken Strange

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.

Painting, Photographing, and Touring Sevilla, Spain with Scott Williams and Niki Gulley

Sevilla, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

Mini orange tree, Sevilla • 12" x 9" oil painting by Niki Gulley

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

After enjoying Granada, Spain, our Art Trek group continued onto the Moorish city of Sevilla. Full of energy and history, we savored all that the Andalusian capital has to offer, starting with a horse-drawn carriage  ride around the old city, then onto a fabulous dinner, and ending with photographing and viewing the romantic cathedral and city at night.

Carriage rides around Sevilla

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.

Spain Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 3 - Granada, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

7" x 5" oil painting by Niki Gulley

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

After visiting the Alhambra grounds during the day, we went for an early dinner of Spanish tapas that evening so that we could experience sunset over the Alhambra palace. What a beautiful sight and a perfect ending to the day!

Sunset over the Alhambra Palace

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.

Visiting the Alhambra Palace with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 3 - Granada, 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

On the third day of our Spain Art Trek, we visited the Alhambra palace, one of the world’s true architectural marvels and the seat of power from Moorish to Christian rule, dating back to the 14th century. This stunning fortress is the culmination of Moorish design and has some of the best maintained late-Medieval gardens. The Generalife grounds were so gorgeous, bursting with cascading roses and dramatically lit pathways that we set up our easels there to paint while the photographers and tourists toured more of the grounds. Later that day, we met for lunch and continued our tour of the Alcazar.

Part of our Art Trek group in front of the Alhambra Palace.

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.

Painting and Photographing Don Quixote's Windmills with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 2 - La Mancha, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

9" x 12" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

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

After a day and half in Toledo, we headed to La Mancha, following in Don Quixote's footsteps. Larger than life and perched on this steep cliff overlooking the surrounding farmland, everyone had a great time trying to capture the giants on canvas or film. After finishing, we drove onto our next destination, Granada, and checked into our hotel. That evening we dined on an 18 course authentic Andalusian dinner while our host taught us all about Spanish foods, customs, wines and sherries. Another fun-filled day and a great way to end the evening!

Painting windmills in La Mancha

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.