New Van Gogh Inspired Sunflower Painting by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

 

"Sunny Setting II" ©2026 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas 

I had so much fun painting these colorful flowers from our deck last week, that creating just one canvas wasn't enough! Filled with so much uplifting color and cheer, the blooms led my palette knife to joyfully skip across the canvas capturing their sunshine. Surprising pops of color peek through so every time you gaze into this one, you discover something new. Set against the gorgeous mountain backdrop, dramatic clouds dance overhead and hopefully all of your cares drift away!

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my sunflower and wildflower fields paintings.

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

 

Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley Paints New Sunflower Series

"Sunny Setting" ©2026 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas 

The past few weeks have been absolutely gorgeous for painting outside and revel in the cool mountain air. Our flowers on the deck are so colorful and uplifting that I had to share that joy with you. Unfortunately, my green thumb skills need a little work as my sunflower seeds have not sprouted. But, fortunately I have a vivid imagination and can paint them exactly as I wished they’d bloomed.

There is one thing I did leave out of the scene, though. As I was nearing the end of the painting, I had an unexpected visitor in our yard. Thank goodness I was on the upper deck, but still, this large papa bear was only about 20 feet away – yikes! The hazards of plein-air painting.

Click here to see the video of him: https://www.facebook.com/ScottWilliamsPhotography/posts/pfbid0XSQpDaomcPxhtR6pTn5m5VfkSpq619CstwwVXd19xRrmgicinwW8TqqLtYrEFCQ8l.

Despite a moment of heart failure there, I'm so happy with how these cheerful flowers turned out. May they bring some much needed happiness and sunshine to your day!

To see a video of the finished painting, the inspiration behind it and a close up on the texture detail, check out. https://www.instagram.com/p/DaDj94ZCYuv/.

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my sunflower and wildflower fields paintings.

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

 

New Cheerful Sunflower Painting of the Blue Ridge Mountains by Niki Gulley

 

 

"Springing with Joy" ©2026 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 48" x 36" textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

Just sold! This piece is all about capturing that feeling of wandering through a summer meadow where every color of the rainbow seems to be blooming at once. My palette knife allows me to build up those chunky, textured strokes that make the flowers feel dimensional and alive. Painting the sunflowers full-sized in the foreground helps to bring them to life and hopefully transport you to this happy location. Including surprising pops of vivid reds and purples keeps your eye moving throughout the scene, seeing new things each time you look at it, and adds to the joyful feeling.

Or, if you would prefer a print on canvas, please e-mail Niki Gulley for details.

NikiGulley.com 

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Asheville Artist Niki Gulley Paints Uplifting Coneflowers and Wildflowers

©2026 Niki Gulley

16" x 16" textured mixed media collage on panel • framed in espresso

I hope my new square textured paintings bring joy, color and energy to your day! Designed to lift your spirits and add a burst of brightness to your walls, these wildflower abstractions allow your imagination to wander and fill in your own story. These paintings look great hung alone or in a grouping. 

For details on more of my poppy, bluebonnet, sunflower and wildflower paintings in this series, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

New Contemporary Wildflower Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

“Delightful Anticipation" ©2026 Niki Gulley

60" x 30"" textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

Moving through the fear of starting a new large project – so exciting and yet intimidating! To help me paint more from my soul and less from my head, I first created an abstract "mess" of color. Then, allowing the canvas to guide me to tell its story and where to place my strokes and colors, the fun began. Truly exhilarating and just a little scary letting go of all control, like magic the landscape starts to emerge. I relish that freedom just playing and the aha moment where you feel everything coming together. After days, weeks, and even months of building layer upon layer of thick, textured paint, your subconscious vision comes to life. The canvas dances with color, sings with energy and my heart feels full. That's when I know it is complete and I can't wait to share that with you so you can get lost in the joy of luscious paint and nature's beauty, too! Filled with so many layers and surprising pops of color all over the canvas, you'll never get bored looking into "Delightful Anticipation" as there is always something new to discover. 

Check out a close-up video of the texture here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DUTa4eZiZ6I/.

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For more details on my other wildflower paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

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.

Colorful Sunflower Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

    

SOLD • ©2025 Niki Gulley

16" x 16" textured mixed media painting on canvas • framed in espresso

I love how this one turned out – the colors just explode creating a visual symphony of hues that resonates into one huge smile.

May these new square textured paintings bring joy, color and energy to your day! Designed to lift your spirits and add a burst of brightness to your walls, these wildflower abstractions allow your imagination to wander and fill in your own story. These paintings look great hung alone or in a grouping. 

For details on more of my poppy, bluebonnet and sunflower paintings in this series, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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If you'd like to see this painting and more of my contemporary florals and palette knife landscape paintings, please stop by my exhibit at at Richardson's Cottonwood Art Festival this weekend.

Cottonwood Art Festival 

Sat. May 3 • 10am – 7pm

Sun. May 4 • 10am – 5pm 

Cottonwood Park • 1321 W. Beltline Rd. Richardson, TX 

cottonwoodartfestival.com

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

Palette Knife Garden Painting by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

  

"James' House" ©2025 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 16" x 20" textured acrylic painting on canvas

Just Sold! Painted on location with the Plein Air Painters of Asheville. This was actually our host James' lovely house and garden. With dappled morning light and the prolific flowers blooming, I had to capture the beauty and peace of that morning.

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.

 

Painting Fall at the North Carolina Arboretum by Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

   

36” x 18” textured acrylic painting on canvas

©2025 Niki Gulley

Today I joined the Asheville Plein Air Painters at the North Carolina Arboretum. While several of the trails were closed from the hurricane, the main gardens were open and it turned out to be a gorgeous afternoon. I loved the bright pops of color in their “mum quilt.” What a fantastic, welcoming group. I look forward to the next time I can join again!

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.

  

Resurrection Studios Opens Tonight! New Asheville Art Gallery

"Floating Dreams" ©2025 Niki Gulley

36" x 36" textured acrylic painting on canvas

Sunlight sparkles across shimmering water, diamonds glitter the pond’s surface; lotus blooms lift their faces toward the sun and gently dance across the  glassy expanse.

Golden sunlight filters through the brambles and ferns, a touch of cardinal red peeks through all while dreamy morning light reflects in the water.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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

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

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

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If you'd like to see this and more, please stop by the opening of Resurrection Artist Studios tonight!

 Friday March 7th from 5 - 10 P.M. ••• 160 Broadway St. • Asheville

Join us for the Grand Opening of Resurrection Studios Collective at the iconic former MOOG Music building. This is your chance to experience Asheville’s newest creative hub,—a dynamic space featuring the incredible work of Western North Carolina’s talented artists across a variety of mediums. Be a part of this exciting unveiling as we celebrate the dedication and artistry that has gone into bringing Resurrection to life.

Live Music: Doss Church & The Unholy Noise take the stage at 7 PM.

Bar Service: Enjoy drinks crafted by our neighbors, Day Trip

Featured Creatives: Explore the vibrant works of Kira Bursky in our pop-up gallery & our talented roster of over 30 Resurrection artists in our main gallery

Don’t miss an unforgettable evening of art, music & community. Join us for this 1st Friday event & discover how Resurrection Studios is bringing a new heartbeat to this historic building.

Resurrection Artist Studios Grand Opening this Friday

 

Pictured above: Niki Gulley's studio, Resurrection Artist Studios, Asheville, NC

Friday March 7th from 5 - 10 P.M. ••• 160 Broadway St. • Asheville

Join us for the Grand Opening of Resurrection Studios Collective at the iconic former MOOG Music building. This is your chance to experience Asheville’s newest creative hub,—a dynamic space featuring the incredible work of Western North Carolina’s talented artists across a variety of mediums. Be a part of this exciting unveiling as we celebrate the dedication and artistry that has gone into bringing Resurrection to life.

Live Music: Doss Church & The Unholy Noise take the stage at 7 PM.

Bar Service: Enjoy drinks crafted by our neighbors, Day Trip

Featured Creatives: Explore the vibrant works of Kira Bursky in our pop-up gallery & our talented roster of over 30 Resurrection artists in our main gallery

Don’t miss an unforgettable evening of art, music & community. Join us for this 1st Friday event & discover how Resurrection Studios is bringing a new heartbeat to this historic building.

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

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

Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley Paints Joyful Sunflower Paintings

 

Bring on the sun. No matter how many times sunflowers are my subject, I always see them differently and I am inspired once again. May these beauties bring joy and sunshine to your home!

 

“Petal Poetry VIII” 

5” x 5” sculpted, highly textured acrylic painting on panel 

Unframed – $350 through 2/23  $250

Framed – $450 through 2/23  $350

 

• This piece looks great hung individually or paired with a complimentary floral landscape in the series.
  If you are interested in details, please email Niki@nikigulley.com or go to https://www.nikigulley.com/petal-poetry-viii/.
• Close up detail -

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

Please e-mail Niki Gulley for options and details.