"Arms to Heaven" Uplifting Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

 

"Arms to Heaven" ©2024 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 30" x 30" textured mixed media painting on 1.5" deep canvas with the painting wrapping around the edges

In this painting I wanted you to feel that child-like wonder of staring up in into the treetops and heavens above. Choosing uplifting autumn tones contrasted against a turquoise blue sky, gentle clouds drift by as the sun peeks through casting its magical light on everything it touches and lifting your spirits. Arranging the trees in a circular pattern gives you a sense of laying on the ground, surrounded by the forest and directs your eye to hope's focal point. Utilizing thick, energetic paint strokes adds to that joyful, playful feeling of promise and discovery.

To purchase, visit https://www.nikigulley.com/arms-to-heaven/.

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.

 

"Syncopation" Textured Aspen Painting by Niki Gulley

   

"Syncopation II" ©2025 Niki Gulley

 12" x 24" • textured oil painting on canvas

Flickering autumn leaves seem to almost dance in a gentle breeze while white sentinels slice through the colorful backdrop and create a rhythm as they march along. Repeating and receding, the aspen trunks lead you into the distance, inviting you to take a relaxing walk on a beautiful autumn morning.

To purchase, please go to https://www.nikigulley.com/syncopation-ii/.

***

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.

"Fracturing Reality II" Textured Abstract Aspen Painting by Niki Gulley

   

“Fracturing Reality II” ©2024 Niki Gulley

24” x 24” textured acrylic painting on canvas

Abstract realism – the synthesis of abstract and realistic painting. Borrowing abstract influences, such as focusing on color, line, shape and rhythm without a concrete, physical object and combining those concepts with depicting something from reality. When you marry these two genres, you get a new style of art that aims to illicit the emotions behind the subject. 

In "Fracturing Reality II," I hope you feel rejuvenated as you gaze into nature's wonders and escape into your dreams.

***

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

To see more of my textured nature paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 

History Lessons While Painting Gettysburg Bridge with Artist Niki Gulley

 

"Covered History" ©2025 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Next up on our Fall Foliage Freedom Tour, we left the Northeast and started heading south. Our next destination was Washington, D.C. to visit with friends and family, but we were looking for a place to stop along the way. Low and behold, directly on our route was Gettysburg, so we had to stop in for a history lesson. And, I have a love and fascination with covered bridges, so we found Sachs Bridge and I set up my easel to capture its story.

And, boy did I get a story! Some civil war re-enactors (who also acted in the movie Glory) stopped by to chat with me and tell me all about the bridge. It was used by both Union and Confederate Troops and people claim that it is haunted at night by confederate soldiers. While I was painting, a couple in Halloween wedding clothes were getting their portraits taken, fascinated with its haunted tales. My quiet little painting spot turned out to be quite the exciting site!

 

•••

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.

Colorful Birch Tree Painting from Vermont by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Golden Destination” ©2025 Niki Gulley

20″ x 30″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

The weather turned quickly in Vermont! From 80 to 50 and solid rain in just a day. So here I took advantage of my last chance to paint while it was dry and there were still autumn leaves on the trees. Gilded and crimson foliage invite you to explore this golden light filled path. May you experience nature's joy and serenity while wandering through these woods.

To see a video of the area as I was painting, check out https://www.instagram.com/p/CyOE3TjOlkc/.

 

•••

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.

Palette Knife Waterfall Painting by Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Looking Glass Falls" ©2024 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 24" x 18" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

So many waterfalls. So little time! Since this one is a shorter hike - just 100 steps down and then we merely had to climb over and balance on some slippery rocks, this was my painting spot! Listen to the cathartic rhythm of those rushing falls. Enjoy your escape with us to the mountains.

If you'd like to see a video and hear the rushing sounds of Looking Glass Falls, visit https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy56cAKufbJ/.

 

 

•••

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.

"Walk About II" Textured Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

 

  

"Walk About II" ©2025 Niki Gulley

10" x 20" textured mixed media painting 

on 3/4" wrap around canvas with the painting continuing around the edges

Follow the deep wood’s path and wander under a canopy of sheltering leaves, light shifts through each branch and twig. Long, late rays of sunlight pierce the dreaming autumn forest, as you enter shadows dapple your journey. You are walking down a loamy path, filled with color-drenched leaves that invite you into the purple shadows where you may seek your dreams. This painting of a tranquil wood’s trail inspires your journey and your dreams with lush colors and rich images of beauty ahead.

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

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

"Full Circle" Seasons Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

      

"Full Circle"  ©2025 Niki Gulley

30" x 30" textured acrylic painting on circular board

In “Full Circle,” I started thinking about how everything has its life cycle. Trees evolve from season to season, sprouting buds, forming leaves, turning in the fall and eventually dying back in the winter. Time is a constant. In our lives, the idea of time is often in the back or our mind. How long will we be here and how are we going to spend it? So, here I used nature as a metaphor. I arranged the seasons in the pattern of a clock face, representing the cycle of life. Twelve main trunks act like the hours in a day, arranged in a circle as time ticks on. Gazing into the treetops like looking up to the heavens, light shines through as a reassuring beacon of hope and what’s beyond.

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

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

 

Painting Covered Bridges in New England with Niki Gulley

    

"Spanning the River" ©2025 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

The rain definitely visited Vermont today, but it turns out one of the great things about traveling in an RV is I can still paint out the window and stay dry, even in the wet weather! So on our route from Stowe to Woodstock, we visited one of our favorite covered bridges in Northfield and I painted right from our dining room table. The old red bridge just popped against all of the fall foliage, and I enjoyed capturing its unique architecture. 

Painting from inside our RV

  

 

•••

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.

Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley Paints New England's Fall Foliage

 

  

"Amid the Trees" ©2025 Nik Gulley

9" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Just outside of Stowe, VT, we chose a campsite on beautiful Lake Elmore. When we got there, the sky was blue and the surroundings were stunning. So, I had my heart set on painting the lake the next day, but Mother Nature had other ideas. Temperatures dropped 30 degrees overnight and rain, rain and more rain was predicted, so I set up my easel hoping to capture this serene view of the house nestled into the fall foliage. I was ahead of the rain but 30 mph side winds were making it very challenging to paint, so here is my progress and I will finish the rest up in my studio when I'm not shivering so much nor trying to draw straight lines in such blustery conditions!

  

 

•••

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.

Walking in the Woods with Impressionist Landscape Painter Niki Gulley

36” x 18” textured acrylic painting on canvas

©2024 Niki Gulley

SOLD

Loving the sounds of leaves falling and crunching underfoot, while enjoying the uplifting autumn colors and refreshing November air. I hope you enjoy this relaxing, rejuvenating walk through the woods with me! 

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

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

"Fall's Arrival" in Maine - Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

 

"Fall's Arrival" ©2025 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Oh Maine! Such rugged beauty! In this piece I painted just outside of Bar Harbor, you can see the beginnings of fall hues. Birch trees are starting to vibrate with color, foreground grasses and wildflowers are bursting with joy and views over the vast ocean show glimpses of Bar Island nestled in Frenchman Bay.

 

•••

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. 

"Reflecting Fall" Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

 

  

"Reflecting Fall" ©2025 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured acrylic painting on panel

We are loving the peaceful surroundings of Old Orchard Beach, Maine. We booked this picturesque campsite where we have our own dock and lake view. This morning we woke up to this serene scene, and of course, I just had to paint it! Golden light illuminating the beginnings of fall with a gentle ripple causing the reflections to meld into a beautiful symphony of colors.

 

 

•••

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.

"Tall Trees" Contemporary Landscape Painting by Niki Gulley

 

"Tall Trees"  ©2025 Niki Gulley

24" x 18" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

A break in the drizzle in Woodstock, Vermont! And, a chance to paint again. Unfortunately, the rain and wind took their toll on the fall foliage. But, I loved these tall pine trees and the few autumn leaves hanging on. So, I bundled up and set out to capture their height and majesty in this vertical treetop view. I hope they lift your spirits, too, and bring back fun memories of childhood cloud gazing. Now, I hope I can talk Scott into a back rub after craning my neck to paint this one!

To see a video of me painting this one, check out https://www.instagram.com/p/CyVrv3iOAu9/.

 

•••

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.

Painting Autumn in All Its Glory with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

October Orchestra ©2025 Niki Gulley

24” x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas

I love looking for scenery around Asheville that I can share with you and lift your spirits. And, the explosion of vibrant fall color here does not disappoint! The maples are displaying their full autumn glory, so I had to capture those ruby reds for you. May this kids’ perspective bring you the joy of carefree days and hopes for a bright future. 

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

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

Vibrant Fall Foliage Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

 

"Autumn Wonderland" 36” x 18” textured acrylic painting on canvas

©2024 Niki Gulley

SOLD

Those magical moments on Asheville trails when the sun hits just right! 🍂 Finally getting to paint these incredible colors I've been dreaming about since our RV trip last fall. The leaves were literally dancing in the breeze while I painted - nature's own little show!

I hope you enjoy the ride, too! Check out this video if you's like to see more of the gorgeous autumn scenery - https://www.instagram.com/p/DB8-2vmR87-/.

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

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