New Blue Ridge Mountain Painting by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

"Spring Awakening" ©2026 Niki Gulley

24" x 36" textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas, pictured is silver floater frame

The Blue Ridge mountains in springtime are straight out of fairytale pages. I could not believe the number of flowering plants and trees in what felt like every color of the rainbow. One day it was grey winter and then next a symphonic explosion of leaves and blooms. Voluminous clouds dance overhead as an ethereal mist rises from the valleys. I hope you, too, are transported to this joyous, peaceful utopia!

For details on more of my Blue Ridge Mountain artwork, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

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"Meandering Meadow" Painting Bursting with Colorful Wildflowers by Niki Gulley

"Meandering Meadow" ©2026 Niki Gulley

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

Just sold! I'm having so much fun painting in Asheville's certified pollinator habitat - surrounded by actual wildflowers while painting wildflowers! The purple spires you see dancing in the foreground are the real deal, keeping me company while I work.

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. I love how the painting evolves as I work - sometimes a stroke of yellow becomes a sunflower, sometimes purple becomes a spike of salvia.

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 on Location in North Carolina with Impressionist Niki Gulley

  

"Nature's Curves" ©2026 Niki Gulley

12" x 9" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Painted on location in Western North Carolina, I fell in love with this gorgeous tree. Gnarly, voluminous and full of curves, it almost reminded me a beautiful Rubinesque figure! Dappled light illuminated its shape, bringing dimension to life, which I had fun capturing with layers of textured paint and my palette knife. Arching over the river, she greets you with much needed shade for respite on this warm, summer day.

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.

 

Capturing Rhododendrons in NC with Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

 

 

"Blue Ridge Bounty" ©2026 Niki Gulley

20" x 10" textured acrylic painting on canvas

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. 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.

  

Painting Bursting with Colorful Wildflowers by Niki Gulley

 

"Summer in the Mountains" ©2026 Niki Gulley

20" x 30" textured acrylic painting on canvas

While we had already made the 4 hour round trip drive and hiked several miles in the rain previously this week, we couldn't get enough of these beautiful rhododendrons and mountain views. So, the weather looked much clearer and we decided to trek it a second time. Again, so worth the time and effort. The explosion of color from the flowers and the majestic blue ridge vistas filled our hearts with such awe and joy. Here I wanted to capture that uplifting feeling for you with thick, textured paint and my palette knife dancing across the canvas. May you be immersed in the cathartic grandeur of mother nature!

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.

  

Capturing Rhododendrons in NC with Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

 

"Blue Ridge Bounty" ©2026 Niki Gulley

20" x 10" textured acrylic painting on canvas

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. 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.

  

New Joyful Palette Knife Painting by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

  

"Moving Mountains" ©2026 Niki Gulley

60" x 36" textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

Inspired by the beautiful blue ridge mountains and the colorful wildflowers and flowering trees, I just had to capture the joy of that show they put on every spring. This canvas dances with color, sings with energy and my fills my heart. That's when I knew it was complete. May you  get lost in the joy of luscious paint and nature's beauty! Filled with so many layers and surprising pops of color all over the canvas, there is always something new to discover in "Moving Mountains."

E-mail Niki Gulley for details.

NikiGulley.com 

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"Meandering Meadow" Painting Bursting with Colorful Wildflowers by Niki Gulley

"Meandering Meadow" ©2026 Niki Gulley

16" x 20" textured acrylic painting on canvas

I'm having so much fun painting in Asheville's certified pollinator habitat - surrounded by actual wildflowers while painting wildflowers! The purple spires you see dancing in the foreground are the real deal, keeping me company while I work.

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. I love how the painting evolves as I work - sometimes a stroke of yellow becomes a sunflower, sometimes purple becomes a spike of salvia.

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 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.

  

Painting Bursting with Colorful Wildflowers by Niki Gulley

"Summer in the Mountains" ©2025 Niki Gulley

20" x 30" textured acrylic painting on canvas

While we had already made the 4 hour round trip drive and hiked several miles in the rain previously this week, we couldn't get enough of these beautiful rhododendrons and mountain views. So, the weather looked much clearer and we decided to trek it a second time. Again, so worth the time and effort. The explosion of color from the flowers and the majestic blue ridge vistas filled our hearts with such awe and joy. Here I wanted to capture that uplifting feeling for you with thick, textured paint and my palette knife dancing across the canvas. May you be immersed in the cathartic grandeur of mother nature!

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 Rhododendrons on Roan Mountain by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

 

"Rhododendron Splendor" ©2025 Niki Gulley

30" x 48" textured acrylic painting on canvas

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.

  

Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley Plein Air Paints Day Lilies in Asheville, NC

"Blue Ridge Day Lilies" ©2025 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 20" x 10" textured acrylic painting on canvas

Just Sold! Today I joined the Plein Air Painters of Asheville and Blue Ridge Day Lily Gardens. It was so beautiful! So many rows and rows of gorgeous lily blooms in every color, shape and size, it was hard to settle on which ones to paint. Finally I landed on this beautiful ruby red one with the farmhouse in the background. May you feel uplifted gazing into this gorgeous colorful garden.

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 on Location in North Carolina with Impressionist Niki Gulley

  

"Nature's Curves" ©2025 Niki Gulley

12" x 9" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Painted on location in Western North Carolina, I fell in love with this gorgeous tree. Gnarly, voluminous and full of curves, it almost reminded me a beautiful Rubinesque figure! Dappled light illuminated its shape, bringing dimension to life, which I had fun capturing with layers of textured paint and my palette knife. Arching over the river, she greets you with much needed shade for respite on this warm, summer day.

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 Lake Jullian by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

"Hugging the Shore" ©2025 Niki Gulley

16" x 20" textured acrylic painting on canvas

Another beautiful day here in Asheville filled with beauty and serenity! Today my plan was to meet up with the Asheville Plein Air Painters at Lake Jullian. But, when I got there I couldn't find anyone. So, I could have turned around and gone home, but fortunately I am more dedicated than that! It turned out to be such a cathartic morning, that I'm very glad I decided to stay and capture this idyllic scene. With the mountain backdrop and this lovely tree hugging the scene providing much needed shade, I thoroughly enjoyed my quiet morning escape, and I hope you can feel that joy and peace, too.

At one point, I did have an admirer come up only to find out from her that there were multiple entrances to the lake! So, after adding my last strokes, I packed up and drove around to another entrance and lo and behold there was the painting group and fortunately I got to share in the camaraderie.

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.

 

Plein Air Painting in Asheville, NC with Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

  

"Morning at the Botanic" ©2025 Niki Gulley

12" x 9" textured acrylic painting on canvas

Painted on location with the Asheville Plein Air Painters, I loved the dappled light illuminating this path through the Botanic Garden. Vibrant red wildflowers dance in the light and add a nice complimentary contrast to the cool forest greens. A bench welcomes you to sit, relax and enjoy the quiet beauty of the morning. May all of your cares float away!

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 Mountain Meadow Gardens in North Carolina with Niki Gulley

"Meandering Meadow II" ©2025 Niki Gulley

16" x 20" textured acrylic painting on canvas

 Just 10 minutes away from our home is the most picturesque lake set against a mountain backdrop. I thought it was so beautiful when we strolled around it this winter and spring, but then come May it even got even more spectacular when the wildflowers burst onto the scene with their rainbow-hued joy! So, I had to get out there to capture its beauty before the temps were too warm to paint in full sun. And, I wasn't the only one with that idea as another random painter came along with the same idea and joined me. What fun! I hope you enjoy taking a leisurely stroll through this uplifting meadow garden, letting all of your cares slip away.

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.