Miles of Lavender Fields Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

 

  

"Fragrant Fields" ©2025 Niki Gulley

16" x 20" textured acrylic painting on canvas by Niki Gulley

My husband and I recently were teaching and leading an Art Trek in Provence, and we were able to spend a couple of extra days exploring the area before everyone joined us. While in pursuit of the perfect lavender crop to paint and photograph, we came across this gorgeous field. The flowers were just breathtaking and stretched for what seemed like miles. Finding a tiny bit of shade, I set up my easel and went to work capturing all of that royal glory. And, it was a good thing I painted it when I did because the following week, my shade tree was roped off! I hope you, too, can experience the beauty of this joyful place.

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 on her textured lavender paintings.

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

2026

Tuscany Foodie Trek 

September 26 - October 3, 2026

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Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026

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Coming Soon:
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If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
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New Sunflower Painting Bursting with Joy by Impressionist Niki Gulley

  

"Blooming Desires" ©2025 Niki Gulley

24” x 48” textured acrylic painting on canvas

How about some cheerful sunflowers to brighten the end of 2025? These beauties with heads larger than dinner plates were bursting with joy this summer! Planted for what felt like miles stretching along the Biltmore property, they were full of so much hope and sunshine I just had to paint them. I loved the Blue Ridge Mountains peeking through above them in the distance, giving you a sense of just how tall and majestic these blooms were. May they brighten your day, too!

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about her palette knife seasonal paintings.

To see more of Niki's contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

New Autumn Glory Painting of the Blue Ridge Parkway by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

  

"Tomorrow's Adventure" ©2025 Niki Gulley

24” x 48” textured acrylic painting on canvas

I am in love with my new studio! The mountain views from my windows are just stunning. We’re unpacked and it feels so good to finally be settled, so that I can focus on creating again. First canvas — of course it’s of that inspiring vista right out my studio! When I started this last week, the fall color was breathtaking. Now, since the polar vortex there aren’t many leaves left. But, thankfully I was able to capture those hues before they dropped and now my imagination can fill in the gaps to recreate that joyful feeling for you. I hope you are transported with me to the catharsis of being surrounded by mother nature and this mountain majesty!

To see a video of this one, follow https://www.facebook.com/reel/736555692796606.

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about her palette knife seasonal paintings.

To see more of Niki's contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

New "Wheel of Hope" from Weaverville, NC by Niki Gulley

"Wheel of Hope" ©2025 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 24” x 48” textured acrylic painting on canvas

Just sold! Today I met up with the Asheville Plein Air painters at Lake Louise in Weaverville. Such a fun morning with a fantastic welcoming group!

I loved the historic waterwheel here, but sadly it got mangled in the hurricane. Then about 3 months ago, the wheel disappeared. Today I showed up for our paint out and a new one was back. One of the neighbors told me it had just gotten installed the night before. Talk about perfect timing! And, I loved hearing the history from all of the locals who came up and chatted with me.

Here's a video of this one - https://www.instagram.com/p/DPjhHGqkVdh/

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about her palette knife seasonal paintings.

To see more of Niki's contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 

New Fall Foliage from the Blue Ridge Mountains by Niki Gulley

 

"Wandering the Woods" ©2025 Niki Gulley

24” x 48” textured acrylic painting on canvas

The Blue Ridge Parkway in all of its autumn glory! It is so beautiful exploring every hill and valley while soaking in that refreshing mountain air. What fall delights will you find around the next curve? I hope you enjoy the uplifting, vibrant colors and crisp November air as the sounds of falling leaves crunch underfoot and mother nature restores your spirit. 

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about her palette knife seasonal paintings.

To see more of Niki's contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

"Adobe Oasis" Painting from Santa Fe, NM by Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

 

"Adobe Oasis" ©2025 Niki Gulley

24" x 30" textured mixed media painting on canvas

During a trip to Santa Fe, we visited this peaceful street off Canyon Road where each home is postcard perfect. Between the unique adobe architecture, the dramatic morning light, and the beautiful plantings surrounding each home, it was hard to choose what to paint! I was drawn to this turquoise doorway and gorgeous raking morning light. I loved the oranges of the adobe contrasted against the purples in the various blooming sage plants. Chamisa and aspens glow in a warm golden palette and pops of ruby blooms add energy and warmth to the scene. Welcome home!

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Southwest textured oil paintings.

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

"Country Road" Textured Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

 

   

"Country Road" ©2025 by Niki Gulley

10" x 20 textured oil painting on canvas panel

 New England in the fall is breathtakingly beautiful! The autumn leaves explode with a symphony of crimson and gold that makes my heart leap with joy. Add to that this picturesque, quaint country road and I just had to get out my paints to capture the storybook setting. I hope this scene transports you to a simpler time and place!

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For more details on my other colorful fall foliage paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

"Looking Skyward" Uplifting Treetop Painting by Niki Gulley

 

   

"Looking Skyward" ©2025 Niki Gulley

30" x 40"" textured mixed media on canvas

In this painting, I wanted you to you to experience the joy of looking up into the treetops – just like you did when you were a kid. Lying on the ground, not a care in the world, you gaze in wonderment. Choosing electric yellows and reds and flinging paint in multiple swirling layers add to that playful, childlike whimsy. I hope you are transported back to a happy, carefree time and place!

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my aspen and birch paintings.

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

 

Painting Rhododendrons on Roan Mountain by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

 

 

"Rhododendron Splendor" ©2025 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 30" x 48" textured acrylic painting on canvas

Just Sold! This summer we hiked the Appalachian Trail along Carver's Gap to see the breathtaking Rhododendrons blooming along Roan Mountain. Not only were the flowers spectacular, bursting with every shade of red from magenta and pink to tangerine orange, but the mountain views were so inspiring. On one side you could see for miles into Tennessee and on the other side ridge after ridge of North Carolina. While the hike started out fairly clear, the clouds started to roll in as we climbed higher. But, I loved how that made the fog start dancing along the blue ridge peaks. Luckily, I got some good photographs of the scene before we were doused in rain and had to turn back. I hope you enjoy the peace and beauty as you escape into this gorgeous hike!

For details on more of wildflower or North Carolina paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

  

"Perspective Control" Fall Aspen Painting by Niki Gulley

  

“Perspective Control" ©2025 Niki Gulley

24” x 12" textured mixed media painting 

on 1.5" wrap around canvas with the painting continuing around the edges

Enjoying the melodic tinkling of the aspen leaves rustling in the breeze, the trickling sounds of the babbling brook at our side, 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.

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

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

 

"Cacophony" Textured Autumn Aspen Painting Niki Gulley

            

“Cacophony" ©2025 Niki Gulley

30” x 30" textured mixed media painting 

on 1.5" wrap around canvas with the painting continuing around the edges

Enjoying the concert of aspen leaves rustling in the breeze and the beauty of fall ablaze with color, I felt invigorated as I began painting this aspen forest. The setting was so mesmerizing 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, all add to that uplifting feeling of being immersed in nature's symphony. 

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

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

 

"Journey into Autumn" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

   

“Journey into Autumn" ©2025 Niki Gulley

30" x 48" textured oil painting

Shimmering in golden light, this backlit grove of aspen trees reaches tall, greeting you as you enter the forest. First signs of autumn appear as golden leaves dance in the gentle breeze. A well traveled path on the right beckons you to go for a stroll and soak in nature’s tranquility and beauty.

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

See NikiGulley.com

Landscape Painter Niki Gulley Shares the Healing Power of Nature

“Fibonacci's Dream" ©2025 Niki Gulley

36” x 36" textured mixed media painting 

on 1.5" wrap around canvas with the painting continuing around the edges

Having been diagnosed with several health issues and autoimmune disease, I have witnessed first hand the healing power of nature.

That joy, hope and serenity is what I want to share with you in my paintings so that you can feel it, too!

Please follow along to find out more about my healing journey and our Northeast Fall Foliage Freedom Tour here https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw2ngMRuTer/.

And if you feel like sharing, I’d love to hear how you feel when surrounded by Mother Nature.

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If you'd like to see more of my palette knife landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Or, e-mail me with any inquiries about my sunflower and contemporary floral paintings at Niki Gulley.

Experience Asheville's Gorgeous Fall Foliage in Niki Gulley's Paintings

 

 

Autumn's Descent ©2024 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 20" x 30" textured acrylic painting on canvas

Just WOW!!! Our timing in Asheville was perfect. Gorgeous peak color and ideal 70 degree days. The view from our campsite was spectacular and I had to capture those autumn hues before they were gone. Especially since the leaves were falling into my paint as soon as I mixed the next color. I hope you can feel pure joy and energy in this one! And, there may be a little extra real leaf texture as a bonus.

To see a video about this painting, check out https://www.instagram.com/p/CzBw2bNOy_9/.

 

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

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

"Fall Jamboree" Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

    

"Fall Jamboree" ©2025 Niki Gulley

36" x 60" textured oil painting on canvas

I love being immersed in nature. After living in a city surrounded by concrete and noise, I find being surrounded by mother nature to be extremely cathartic, peaceful and rejuvenating. In Fall Jamboree, I wanted to capture those feelings of happiness and tranquility. Working first with thin drippy paint, and then building up thick layers of oil paint with palette knives to achieve extreme dimension, this painting is loaded with movement, energy and color. I hope it lifts your spirits and recharges your batteries while bringing texture, joy and the outdoors inside your home.

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

"Rhythm Reflections" Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

   

"Rhythm Reflections" ©2025 Niki Gulley

36" x 60" textured oil painting on canvas

I love being immersed in nature. After living in a city surrounded by concrete and noise, I find being surrounded by mother nature to be extremely cathartic, peaceful and rejuvenating. In Rhythm Reflections, I became fascinated with the mirror reflection on the aspen trees in the water below the horizon line. With the lake surface slightly blurring the individual leaves, patterns started emerging that created a sort of rhythm that I found mesmerizing. Working first with thin drippy paint, and then building up thick layers of oil paint with palette knives to achieve extreme dimension, this painting is loaded with movement, energy and color. Leaving the composition slightly abstracted gives you a chance to form your own contemplative narrative with nature.

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

E-mail - Niki Gulley