Showing posts with label contemporary landscape painting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label contemporary landscape painting. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Wedding Rose Garden Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

 

"Ruby Blooms" ©2026 Niki Gulley
20" x 10" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

When we checked into our B and B in Tuscany this year, we were greeted by beautiful rose gardens surrounding the property. WOW! With such a plethora of gorgeous blooms, it was really hard to narrow down what to paint. Finally I landed on these crimson beauties with a peek at the Tuscan villa in the distance. I adore the cypress trees so indicative of Tuscany so I made sure to include them in the background. I also loved how this ancient twisted vine hugged the scene, creating an organic window of the view beyond. Filled with joy and color, I hope you are transported to this serene escape.


For details on more of my Tuscany or rose garden paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


***

 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!

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.

Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Painting Italian Textures by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

 

"Flowering Nook," Tuscany ©2026 Niki Gulley
12" x 16" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

When we checked into our B and B in Tuscany this year, we were greeted by beautiful plantings everywhere. I fell in love with these gorgeous geraniums lining their Italian stairway and the soft light illuminating this courtyard. With my palette knife, I set out to capture all of the different textures from the Roman  stone wall to the cobble path to the brick accents. Filled with joy and color, I hope you are transported to this serene escape.

For details on more of my Tuscany or European paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


***

 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!

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.

Monday, August 3, 2026

"Windows on the World" Oil Painting by Niki Gulley from Tuscany

 

"Windows on the World" ©2026 Niki Gulley
9" x 12" textured oil painting on panel

Inspired by Tuscany, you can almost imagine what the view must be like when you throw open the shutters and greet the morning as the scene unfolds below you! I loved the morning light raking across the building, casting long shadows and causing the textured stone and brick to tell its detailed history. And, there’s always one piece of laundry that refuses to dry as quickly as the others on the closthesline!

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


__________________________________________________________________________________

 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!

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.

__________________________________________________________________________________

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

Tuesday, July 28, 2026

Visiting Siena, Italy - Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams


"Passageway," Siena ©2026 Niki Gulley
7" x 5" oil painting on panel

Day 4:  TUSCANY ART TREK - Siena
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the fourth day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we visited the Medieval hill town of Siena, with its incredible marble Duomo, great people-watching plaza, and interesting alleyways radiating out from the campo with something new to discover around every turn. While some of our group shopped, some photographed and others relaxed on the square, I set up in one of the quiet cobble streets to capture the textures of these ancient walls and mood of this unique city. For dinner that night, we treated ourselves to a delicious home-made Italian meal of pastas, truffles, pecorino cheese and some amazing red wine!

That night we had a Tuscan chef prepare us an amazing 7 course meal at the villa - Buon Appetito!

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


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 2026 
September 26 - October 3, 2026
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

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

Monday, July 27, 2026

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.


https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


Wednesday, July 22, 2026

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!

•••

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.

 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


Tuesday, July 21, 2026

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.


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/.

•••

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.

 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


Tuesday, July 14, 2026

"Old Orchard Beach" Painting in Maine by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

 

"Old Orchard Beach" ©2026 Niki Gulley
9" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

What a fabulous day! Sun is shining. Waves are crashing. Seagulls are screaming. And, I’ve got my toes in the sand. We’ve landed on Old Orchard Beach in Maine just soaking up the beautiful scenery. Hope you can feel the beautiful ocean breezes and hear the cathartic sound of the tide, too!

•••

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.

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Palette Knife Abstract Seascape Painting by Artist Niki Gulley

    

"Ocean Breeze" ©2026 Niki Gulley
24" x 24" textured acrylic painting on canvas

We’re taking a break from fall foliage to soak up some warmth and sunshine along North Carolina’s Outer Banks coast. Listen to those rhythmic ocean waves! Talk about relaxing and just what the doctor ordered. Letting the sounds guide me and going with the flow of the moment, I left this one loose with abstract passages. I hope you can feel the joy and energy in this painting, and escape with me.

To see a video of this painting and location, visit https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyn0LbiOUhw/.


 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

•••

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.

Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Serenity Now! Escape with Artist Niki Gulley to the Outer Banks

   


"Serenity Now" ©2026 Niki Gulley
12" x 24" textured acrylic painting on canvas

After nine days of grey, cold and sometimes rainy weather, I really needed to warm up and soak up some Vitamin D sunshine. So, we took a detour from fall foliage and headed to North Carolina's Outer Banks. We found an amazing campsite right on the water, and this was our view out our window for the next 2 days! While a little windy our first night, the next morning I woke to beautiful, calm blue waters and I just had to paint that serene view. Those 2 hammocks were calling my name to just relax. I hope you can escape with me into this peaceful, cathartic seascape.

 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

•••

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.

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Colorful Winter Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

 

"Morning Flow" ©Niki Gulley
9" x 12" textured oil painting  

My husband and I recently visited Iceland to gather new inspiration on film and canvas. Going in March so that we could see the northern lights, we were often greeted by snowfall and an occasional blizzard! Today was one of the days where it was too windy to paint or photograph outside so we aimed the car towards this gorgeous vista and I painted from protection of the passenger seat. I loved the play of colors with the blue of the river and sky contrasted against the golden grasses and mountains. The red branches on the winter shrubbery were particularly beautiful and I wanted to feature them in the foreground next to the focal point, meanwhile a light dusting of snow still frosts the ground and adds to the dreamlike landscape.

To see more of my travel location paintings, visit nikigulley.com.


Or, for one click shopping to purchase, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/morning-flow/.

***

If you're interested in joining us in 2024 on our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Iceland this coming August or on a future Art Trek or Foodie Trek, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!



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

***

 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

Monday, May 25, 2026

New "Colorful Ripples" by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

  


"Colorful Ripples" ©2026 Niki Gulley
18" x 24" textured oil painting on canvas

Painted at a park near my home, I loved all of the spring colors reflected in this pond pond. Having fun working with surprising pops of color and utilizing large textured strokes, cause this piece to dance with joy and energy. May you escape with me into nature’s beauty!

•••

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on palette knife landscape paintings.

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

 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Visiting Siena, Italy - Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams


"Passageway," Siena ©2026 Niki Gulley
7" x 5" oil painting on panel

Day 4:  TUSCANY ART TREK - Siena
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the fourth day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we visited the Medieval hill town of Siena, with its incredible marble Duomo, great people-watching plaza, and interesting alleyways radiating out from the campo with something new to discover around every turn. While some of our group shopped, some photographed and others relaxed on the square, I set up in one of the quiet cobble streets to capture the textures of these ancient walls and mood of this unique city. For dinner that night, we treated ourselves to a delicious home-made Italian meal of pastas, truffles, pecorino cheese and some amazing red wine!

That night we had a Tuscan chef prepare us an amazing 7 course meal at the villa - Buon Appetito!

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


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 2025. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 
September 26 - October 3, 2026
Only 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.