Bird of Paradise oil painting by Niki Gulley

"Rhapsody in Bloom" ©2010 Niki Gulley

oil painting on canvas • 12" x 12"

I knew I wanted to paint some fun, bright, happy florals – especially after such a cold, rainy and even snowy winter – to help lift my spirits, so I chose this boldly colored Bird of Paradise and painted a cheerful lemon yellow background to add to the sense of the painting's overall warmth. Using extremely thick oil paint and a palette knife, this painting just leaps off the canvas in person.

If you're in Florida this weekend, stop by my booth at the Bonita Springs National Art Festival, artinusa.com/bonita/.

NikiGulley.com

Niki@NikiGulley.com

"Rejuvenation" oil painting by Niki Gulley

"Rejuvenation" ©2010 Niki Gulley

36" x 60" oil on canvas

I wanted this painting to be more about the power of water to uplift your spirits than to be a painting of just another pretty ocean sunset. I was hoping you could feel the ocean tides lapping on the shore and hear the rhythmic, soothing sounds of the waves cresting and falling. Whenever I visit the seashore I always feel rejuvenated, and I hope I've translated that onto the canvas for you to experience it, too.

I'll be showing this painting and several others at the Bonita Springs National Art Festival in Florida this weekend. If you're fortunate enough to be in the Naples / Bonita Springs area, come on by and say hi, artinusa.com/bonita/.

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com

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