Painting in Venice with Painting Teacher Niki Gulley

 

  

"Laundry Day IV" Burano ©2026 Niki Gulley

5" x 7" textured oil painting on panel

On the second day of our Venice Art Trek, we headed to the islands of Burano and Murano. Burano is known as a fishing community (and for the homemade lace that they make there), and to help the fisherman find their houses while coming back from sea, they painted their homes every color of the rainbow. With the picturesque canals and so many great colored buildings to choose from, it's hard to pick a single subject matter! We were drawn to this quiet location, however, and the vibrant yellow stucco wall with that morning's laundry being hung out to dry and the bicycle waiting for a ride. Today I chose to work with thick oil paint and palette knife to capture the rough surface of the walls, resulting in a final painting which is loaded with texture and color.

www.NikiGulley.com

E-mail - Niki Gulley

***

 Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you're in luck if you've always wanted to go! We've had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2026. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026

Just A Few Spots left!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

Registration Now Open

 

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.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

***

New "Playtime" Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

"Playtime" ©2026 Niki Gulley

14" x 11" textured acrylic painting on canvas

Filled with whimsy and movement, I hope "Playtime" captures the memories of swinging from sturdy branches on a lazy summer day. Using staccato strokes, adds to the energy of the moment while fun pops of color build excitement. Not a care in the world, I hope you can feel the joy as you fly high and soar on a dream. 

To view more of my palette knife impressionist landscape paintings, check out nikigulley.com.

Or, e-mail me at Niki Gulley for more information.

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 

***

"Pretty in Pink" Victorian Home Painting by Artist Niki Gulley

“Pretty in Pink” ©2026 Niki Gulley

9" x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Filled with beautiful homes built in the late 1800s, I was attracted to the detailed craftsmanship and historic architecture of this estate. Each homeowner had taken great care in decorating their porches and yards to create a warm welcome, and I wanted to capture that beauty and pride in my paintings. 

Here you can see this beautiful pink Victorian surrounded by more beautiful rose and scarlet blooms. I loved the play of complimentary colors, even down to the green detailing and scrollwork on the house. 

For more information on my textured palette knife oil 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 in Venice with Painting Teacher Niki Gulley

 

  

"Laundry Day IV" Burano ©2026 Niki Gulley

5" x 7" textured oil painting on panel

On the second day of our Venice Art Trek, we headed to the islands of Burano and Murano. Burano is known as a fishing community (and for the homemade lace that they make there), and to help the fisherman find their houses while coming back from sea, they painted their homes every color of the rainbow. With the picturesque canals and so many great colored buildings to choose from, it's hard to pick a single subject matter! We were drawn to this quiet location, however, and the vibrant yellow stucco wall with that morning's laundry being hung out to dry and the bicycle waiting for a ride. Today I chose to work with thick oil paint and palette knife to capture the rough surface of the walls, resulting in a final painting which is loaded with texture and color.

www.NikiGulley.com

E-mail - Niki Gulley

***

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

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.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

***

New Peaceful, Soothing Waterfall Painting by Impressionist Niki Gulley

  

“Free Falling” ©2026 Niki Gulley

12” x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas

Water pounds its way down the falls: cascading, rushing, charging into the riverbed – flowing over rocks, swiftly moving forward. Untamed, the surge finds its way over, under, around the boulder-strewn river. Tumbling waters drive up mists above the falls and the rhythmic sounds create a soothing harmony below. 

If you have any questions about Free Falling or my palette knife Aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of Niki Gulley's contemporary landscape paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

***

Painting Ireland's Dingle Peninsula with Niki Gulley

 

"Jagged Edges" ©2026 Niki Gulley

7" x 5" textured oil painting

After teaching our Ireland Art Trek, my husband and I stayed a couple of extra days on the Dingle Peninsula on the west coast of Ireland. That day I chose to pull in tight on my composition of these jagged rocks and the waves crashing against them. Having fun creating the uneven textures with the palette knife, I hope you can feel the sound of the water rises and falling as it rushes against the cliffs.

***

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

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

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Commissioning a Sunflower Painting with Niki Gulley

 

24" x 16” textured acrylic painting ©2026 Niki Gulley • SOLD

Just shipped! I was commissioned to paint this cheerful sunflower painting for my collector to coordinate with her other bluebonnet paintings. Huge sunflowers remind her of growing up in Kansas, filled with sun and cheer. Bold strokes capture these sunflowers in thick impasto colors that vibrate across the canvas, all designed to add joy and color to her home.

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

NikiGulley.com

Happy Sunflower Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

 

 ©2026 Niki Gulley

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

Spending time around sunflowers is one way that helps keep my spirits up. Every time I look out the windows and see these happy flowers staring back me, I can't help but feel like I have been lifted.

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 ablstractions 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.

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

New Autumn Palette Knife Waterfall Painting by Niki Gulley

 

“Flowing Fall” ©2026 Niki Gulley

12” x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas

Water pounds its way down the falls: cascading, rushing, charging into the riverbed -- flowing over rocks, swiftly moving forward. Untamed, the surge finds its way over, under, around the boulder-strewn river. Tumbling waters drive through, the rhythmic sounds create a soothing harmony below, while autumn colors glow as we peer through the tangle of textured fall foliage

If you have any questions about Flowing Fall or my palette knife Aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of Niki Gulley's contemporary landscape paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

Tuscany Poppy Field Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

 

"Ruby Expanse" ©2026 Niki Gulley

10" x 20" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Before we started teaching in Provence, we first took a direct flight to Rome and explored more of Tuscany for a few days before we flew onto France. Remembering from the past that May is usually a perfect time to find poppy fields, we thought we'd find the ruby beauties everywhere. Wrong! Thus began our crazy quest in search of the elusive poppy. And, after a week of scouring the countryside, we finally found them! Of course, they were right next to our b and b, but in a direction we hadn't explored all week. 

But, once we did finally discover them, the vibrant pops of red just lifted my spirits. Combined with gorgeous skies and dramatic lighting, it was truly inspiring and so much fun to paint after 2 solid rainy days. Hope you can feel and experience all of that joy, too!

"Ruby Expanse" is available through The Good Art Company Gallery. Please visit https://www.goodartcompany.com/product-page/abstract-impression-original-art-10x20-landscape-ruby-expanse-tuscany.

***

Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you're in luck if you've always wanted to go! We've had a couple of spots open up for our trip this September. Please let us know if you would like to join us. Spaces fill up quickly! 

Iceland
August 3-10, 2026

Only 1 spot left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 

September 26 - October 3, 2026

Only a couple spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

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

Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

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.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my poppy and wildflower field paintings.

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

 

Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley Paints the Texas Hill Country

  

"Scenic Stretch," Texas Hill Country  ©2026 Niki Gulley

20" x 24" textured acrylic painting on canvas

Painted on location in the Texas Hill Country, I was drawn to this expansive mass of bluebonnets and wildflowers, stretching along the foreground of this scenic overlook. The explosion of cheerful color made me feel so happy that I wanted to capture that joy and excitement in my painting for you. Long sweeping shapes flow across the canvas to add to the feeling of peace and happiness as you're being surrounded by Texas Wildflowers on a beautiful spring day.

***

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.

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

"Autumn's Tapestry" Kid's Perspective Painting by Niki Gulley

     

"Autumn's Tapestry" ©2025 Niki Gulley

textured oil painting on board • 20" x 20"

In this painting I wanted you to feel that child-like wonder of staring up into the treetops and heavens above. Choosing uplifting golds and reds contrasted against a turquoise-blue sky with gentle clouds drifting by, I've arranged the aspens in a circular pattern to give you a sense of laying on the ground, surrounded by the forest. Using diagonal leading lines with the tree trunks and limbs, your eye gazes into the focal point where all of the elements come together. Meanwhile, utilizing thick, curving paint strokes adds to that joyful, playful feeling of hope and discovery.

If you are interested in purchasing this painting, please go to https://www.nikigulley.com/autumns-tapestry/.

To see more of my impressionist palette knife paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.

If you have any questions about my aspen and birch tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.