New "Golden Glow" Bluebonnet Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

"Golden Glow," Texas Hill Country ©2020 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" textured oil painting

Last spring we loaded up the car and headed south to visit the Texas Hill Country to see the wildflowers in bloom. It's so exciting to see a massive carpet of blue across our usually green hills, and I love how the bluebonnets signal that spring has arrived!

On our drive through the Willow City Loop, I was drawn to this one lone tree on the horizon glowing from the sun as it was setting.  Waves of bluebonnets lead your eye into the distance towards that late light illuminating the wildflower filled hill and oak tree. Adding pops of color where the rainbow of wildflowers danced in between the blue also keeps your focus moving from foreground to background. I hope you can feel the joy and energy of springtime in Texas!

I painted these Texas Bluebonnets and wildflowers with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives to achieve depth and texture. The resulting image comes to life and is loaded with color and movement.

For information on my Texas hill country landscape paintings, please check out NikiGulley.com,

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

"Waves of Wildflowers IV" Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

"Waves of Wildflowers IV"  ©2019 Niki Gulley

12" x 24" textured oil painting

Painted on location, I was drawn to this expansive mass of yellow wildflowers, stretching all the way from foreground to background. The explosion of sunny color made me feel so happy that I wanted to capture that joy and excitement in my painting. To create that mood, I decided to leave a lot of crimson and gold in the sky to enhance that feeling while using diagonal staccato strokes to suggest energy and drama. Long sweeping shapes that flow across the horizontal panorama canvas add to the peace and happiness of being surrounded by Texas Wildflowers on a beautiful spring day.

Waves of Wildflowers close up texture detail:

For information on my Texas bluebonnet and wildflower series and  to see more of my Texas hill country landscape paintings, please check out NikiGulley.com or http://goodartcompany.com/gacart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25&sort=20a&page=1&zenid=417ih04llasuk7pl1h0qhj32k1.

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

New "Falling Water" by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Falling Water" ©2019 Niki Gulley

16" x 12” textured oil painting

My husband and I both LOVE waterfalls, and we try to visit them whenever we can find them on our adventures. This beautiful cascade turned out to be right in my husband's backyard where he grew up. We were in New York visiting his hometown, and having grown up in a city, I couldn't believe this gorgeous spectacle was right outside his door! Not far from Niagara falls, this massive water flow crashed and glided along the intricate rock formations rushing into the river far below. The sound of water rushing was so energetic and peaceful at the same time, and I wanted to capture that invigorating feeling in my painting. Setting up my easel at its base, I set out to recreate the energy and flow of the cascades while showing some of the lush vegetation surrounding them. Creating strokes in diagonal sweeping shapes to enhance that feeling of movement and rhythm, I hope you, too, can hear the flowing water's music and feel the gentle spray from its mist.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my textured palette knife waterfall paintings.

New "Rural View IV" Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Rural View IV" ©2019 Niki Gulley

 9" x 12” textured oil painting

Continuing our journey along the west coast of Iceland, I was taken by their simplistic architecture, often topped with bright red roofs to add a pop of color to the natural landscape. In the next several paintings, you’ll see I chose a different house or barn each day and set out to capture its shape, the colors and light hitting the structure, and the picturesque, idyllic, quiet scenery surrounding the building in all directions. Here is my last one, where we got up to capture sunrise. The setting had such a beautiful glow to it that I wanted to recreate that warmth in the foreground and sky contrasted against the cool distant mountains. Created with palette knife and oil paint, this piece is full of surprising pops of color, texture, energy and joy.

Close up texture detail of "Rural Life IV"

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If you're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland - Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek - Tuscany - Oct. 2020

Paris - May 2021

Portugal - Sept. 2021

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

New "Woodland Stroll" Birch Tree Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

"Woodland Stroll" ©2019 Niki Gulley

10" x 20” textured oil painting

Today we continued our counterclockwise adventure around Iceland to arrive in the north, near the massive, impressive Godafoss waterfall. Unfortunately, our weather turned for the worse, and it was way too wet to paint the falls. However, just over the mountain, 20 minutes away at our b and b, the skies were fairly clear with even occasional glimpses of sunshine. I loved these birch trees all over their property, leading you down to the gorgeous view of the mountains in the distance. Sprinkled with summer wildflowers, I set out to capture the light casting long shadows from the trunks and causing the grasses to glow in the foreground, leading to a feeling of joy and serenity in this beautiful spot.

Close up texture detail of Woodland Stroll:

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If you're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland - Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek - Tuscany - Oct. 2020

Paris - May 2021

Portugal - Sept. 2021

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

New "Standing Witness" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

"Standing Witness"©2019 Niki Gulley
16" x 20" textured oil painting

Recently, we visited Santa Fe and to escape the heat we ventured up the Santo de Cristo mountains to cool down among the beautiful, refreshing aspen trees. I was attracted to this grove in particular with their beautiful textured white bark and their proximity and angles to each other. I decided to include the sentinels behind, also, to give you a sense of being surrounded by the peaceful forest. Dappled light casts diagonal shadows and causes the grasses to dance and sparkle. I hope you can feel the serenity of this rejuvenating place.

Close up texture detail:

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

See NikiGulley.com to see more of her contemporary landscape paintings.

"Ruby Bridges" Vermont Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

"Autumn Passage" ©2018 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 9" x 12" textured oil painting 

Vermont Fall Foliage Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 3, Morning Location - Northfield, VT

Just Sold through Brandon Jacobs Gallery! On the third day of our New England Fall Foliage Art Trek that my husband and I led, we checked out of our lodging in Woodstock and headed to Northfield, home of 5 different covered bridges. We set up our easels near one of the bridges, attracted to its bright red wood, surrounded by the gorgeous fall foliage. I loved this view of the first bridge framing the second ruby bridge in the distance – something we definitely don't see in Texas! I hope you, too, are transported to this idyllic New England setting.

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To view more of my textured oil paintings at Brandon Jacobs Gallery in Kansas City, MO, check out  BrandonJacobsGallery.com.

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If you're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland - Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek - Tuscany - Oct. 2020

Paris - May 2021

Portugal - Sept. 2021

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

****

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

"Morning in Paradise" Palette Knife Seashore painting by Niki Gulley

"Morning in Paradise" ©2019 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured oil painting

I wanted this painting to be about the power of the ocean to lift your spirits. Painting this piece on location, I strove to capture the sparkle the sun cast across the turquoise waters as it slowly rose above the horizon. Creating bobbing diamonds of sparkling light across the surface was truly mesmerizing to watch.

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

Or e-mail me for more information at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

"Hazy Sunset" Palette Knife Seashore painting by Niki Gulley

"Hazy Sunset" ©2019 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured oil painting

Painting this piece on location, I wanted to capture the movement in the ocean as the tides lapped along the shoreline. With the waves creating their cathartic rhythmic sounds, I left my strokes loose to convey that energy and motion. There was a lot of haze this evening and it caused the sky to dance in these ethereal shades of pink and gold. I hope you, too, can feel the peaceful magic in the moment.

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

Or e-mail me for more information at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

"Sun Up in Paradise" Palette Knife Seashore painting by Niki Gulley

"Sun Up in Paradise" ©2019 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured oil painting

I wanted this painting to be about the power of the ocean to lift your spirits. Painting this piece on location, I was hoping you could hear the gentle ocean tides lapping on the shore and the sun just beginning to rise, signaling a brand new day in paradise. This morning the sky was the most intense beautiful red that caused the atmosphere to glow and I just had to capture that magic.

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

Or e-mail me for more information at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Painting Portugal's Wine and Port Country by Niki Gulley

"Late Harvest" ©2019 Niki Gulley 

9" x 12" textured oil painting

I painted this colorful vineyard while we were touring Portugal this past October along the Douro river, deep in the heart of Port territory. The grapevines had turned gorgeous reds, golds and oranges and the wineries were perched on such high hills overlooking the river that I wanted to capture that commanding view. Hugging the various elevations, grape leaves rise from neatly planted rows, inviting you to stop in and try one of their delicious ports.

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If you're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland - Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek - Tuscany - Oct. 2020

Paris - May 2021

Portugal - Sept. 2021

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

****

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

Visiting Siena Italy with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams on their Tuscany Art Trek

"Duomo," Siena ©2019 Niki Gulley 

5" x 7" oil painting

During the Foodie Trek that my husband and I led in Tuscany, we headed to the Medieval hill town of Siena, with its incredible church, great people-watching plaza, and interesting alleyways radiating out from the Campo with something new to discover around every turn. While most of our group toured inside the Duomo, I chose to set up my easel and capture it's impressive facade. Beautiful pink, green, white and black marble are stacked in such intricate patterns, it's impossible to capture on a 5" x 7" canvas but I was able to at least suggest some of those colors and its scale, while showing the energy around it with people bustling in every direction.

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If you're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland - Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek - Tuscany - Oct. 2020

Paris - May 2021

Portugal - Sept. 2021

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

****

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

New "Rolling Shadows," Tuscany Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

"Rolling Shadows," Tuscany ©2019 Niki Gulley 

9" x 12" textured oil painting

Before my husband and I led our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we spent a couple of days capturing the gorgeous scenery on film and on canvas. I've always been attracted to this lone clump of cypress trees and on this day the clouds in the sky were so fascinating. Soft and voluminous and acting as the perfect backdrop behind the cypress grove, I had to capture it before they disappeared. I decided to have fun with the colors and strokes to add to the excitement and drama of the moment.

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If you're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland - Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek - Tuscany - Oct. 2020

Paris - May 2021

Portugal - Sept. 2021

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

****

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

New "Cypress Glory" Tuscany Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

"Cypress Glory" ©2019 Niki Gulley 

10" x 20" textured oil painting

Before my husband and I led our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we spent a couple of days capturing the gorgeous scenery on film and on canvas. On this first night, I set up my easel alongside the road, drawn to this long cypress driveway which I figured would be silhouetted against the setting sun. As luck would have it, mother nature provided a symphony of colors across the sky and I worked quickly to establish the beautiful, golden light that was cast across the rolling hills and stone farmhouse. I hope you, too, can enjoy the glory that is Tuscany!

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If you're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland - Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek - Tuscany - Oct. 2020

Paris - May 2021

Portugal - Sept. 2021

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

****

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

"Table for Two" from Santorini by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Table for Two," Santorini • by Niki Gulley

SOLD • 12" x 9" oil painting 

Just sold! I painted this peaceful scene on the last day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Santorini, Greece. Having loved taking in this view from our balcony for the past several days, I just had to capture that gorgeous overlook on canvas. With its beauty, white-washed buildings and the deep blue Aegean background, Santorini is one of the most romantic places we have visited. The table set for two invites you and your loved one to relax, enjoy a glass of wine and let all of your cares slip away. Paradise!

Next May we will be leading an Art Trek to Athens and Santorini, Greece. So if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing abroad, please join us for this amazing trip! Other trips we will be leading soon include:

Scotland - Aug. 2019

Foodie Trek - Tuscany - Oct. 2019

Greece - May 2020

Iceland - Sept. 2020

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

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

E-mail - Niki Gulley

"Grandmother's House" Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Grandmother's House" ©2019 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured oil painting

Day 6:  Ireland ART TREK
Afternoon location: Dingle Peninsula and Killarney Castle

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

On the 6th afternoon of Ireland Art Trek, we continued to paint on the castle grounds while the photographers and tourists finished exploring the Dingle Peninsula. I chose to paint the castle's guest house because I love how it was nestled back in the woods, feeling so nostalgic of a visit to grandma's in the country. The massive unusual pine trees were so awe-inspiring that I used them to frame the right half of the scene, leading your eye down the path to the yellow house safely tucked in among the lush foliage. A soft light would appear off and on, illuminating the scene and creating that unique Irish light. That evening we all reconnected and dined again on another delicious dinner in town.

Dining in the castle bar.

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If you're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland - Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek - Tuscany - Oct. 2020

Paris - May 2021

Portugal - Sept. 2021

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

****

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

New "Simple Life IV" Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

"Simple Life IV" ©2019 Niki Gulley

textured oil paint on canvas • 16" x 20"

My husband and I were on a road trip when we came across a couple of these white house glowing on the horizon. Set among vibrant green gently rolling hills with the intense blue ocean in the distance, something beckoned us to stop. Maybe it was the quiet beauty of the scene, or the nostalgic tug at a simpler life, but we were both moved to capture the moment. To convey that feeling of a less congested life, I accentuated the the basic shapes of the homes against the simple repetive curves of the hills. Meanwhile a few wispy clouds drift by adding to the tranquility of the moment. I hope you are transported to this memory of our past, before modern life got so complicated.

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

E-mail - Niki Gulley

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If you're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland - Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek - Tuscany - Oct. 2020

Paris - May 2021

Portugal - Sept. 2021

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

****

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

New "Simple Life II" Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

"Simple Life II" ©2019 Niki Gulley

textured oil paint on canvas • 16" x 20"

My husband and I were on a road trip when we came across a couple of these white house glowing on the horizon. Set amongst vibrant green gently rolling hills with the intense blue ocean in the distance, something beckoned us to stop. Maybe it was the quiet beauty of the scene, or the nostalgic tug at a simpler life, but we were both moved to capture the moment. To convey that feeling of a less congested life, I accentuarted the the basic shapes of the homes against the simple repetive curves of the hills. Meanwhile a few wispy clouds drift by adding to the tranquility of the moment. I hope you are transported to this memory of our past, before modern life got so complicated.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland - Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek - Tuscany - Oct. 2020

Paris - May 2021

Portugal - Sept. 2021

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

****

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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