I wanted this painting to be full of joy and energy, reminiscent of a simpler time. Working with palette knife, I moved thick oil paint around in long sweeping circular strokes to add to that feeling of movement and excitment, while choosing vivid primary colors to communicate a time of youth, innocence and freedom.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Monet's Water Lilies triptych oil painting by Niki Gulley - Just Sold
Three 48" x 30" canvases to form a 48" x 90" triptych
Textured oil painting on wrap around canvases
Recently Sold! I wanted this large-scale painting to be very uplifting, colorful and full of energy. Opting for warm colors and working with extremely thick paint and palette knives, I chose this lily pond reference from our visit to Monet's Gardens in Giverny, France. The grounds were breathtaking and I could actually see his paintings come to life. I was drawn to the energetic flow and yet calming serenity in this view, and I positioned the shoreline, shadows and reflections in a curving pattern to add to that mood. Dripping willow leaves frame the foreground as water lilies skim the pond's surface. The morning light peeking through the distant foliage added to a sense of mystery and promise that I wanted to capture in paint, and share with you that feeling of hope.
E-mail - Niki Gulley
Monday, August 12, 2013
"15 mph" New Textured Palette Knife oil painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley
“15mph” ©2013 Niki Gulley
18" x 24” textured oil painting
This painting is inspired from our trip to Santa Fe last summer. We were driving on the high road to Taos and we kept going over these steep hills where you couldn't see what was coming next. I loved the graphic simplicity of the views with only a sliver of the land in front of us, the vast expanse of sky with its billowing dramatic clouds, and the one lone speed limit sign warning you about the tight curves ahead. Arranging all of the elements so that they converge in the distance and create a sense of motion with curving thick paint strokes, 15 mph beckons you to motor forward and discover what is over the next bend.
Friday, August 9, 2013
New Colorado Landscape Palette Knife oil painting by Niki Gulley
“Falling Rocks” ©2013 Niki Gulley
20" x 24” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
This painting is inspired from my first trip to Colorado. I loved the majestic mountains, the meandering creeks and rushing rivers, the lush terrain and the quaking aspen trees. The ride through the mountains was thrilling, as we straddled cliff sides, our tires gripped the road through spine-tingling hairpin turns, we raced through cavernous tunnels carved through the dense rock, and jagged mountains hugged us like there was no tomorrow. And, as if the journey wasn't exciting enough, we were reminded of the adventure that lay ahead with a new falling rocks sign every few bends!
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
New Winter Landscape Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley
“45 mph” ©2013 Niki Gulley
18” x 24” textured oil painting
On one of our first trips together, my husband and I drove to Colorado to capture the fall foliage, and were greeted by one of the earliest snowfalls on record. While not the golden aspen glory we expected, the pristine white of that first dusting was beautiful. I loved this scenic overlook as we rounded the corner, and as you can see there was no shoulder to pull over on to capture the scene. So quickly grabbing my camera, I snapped away as we whizzed past. In this shot, I particularly liked a sliver of the school-bus-yellow 45mph sign contrasting against the vivid azure sky and framing the right side of the composition to lead your eye back into the breathtaking drive.
Monday, August 5, 2013
"Curves Ahead" New Textured Palette Knife oil painting by Niki Gulley
“Curves Ahead” ©2013 Niki Gulley
30" x 40” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
On this trip, it felt like we were flying up and down these curvy mountain roads almost like we were on an adult roller coaster. So I wanted to have a little fun in my painting and capture that sense of movement and playful excitement. Choosing bright vivid colors an curving my strokes almost in a fish-eye composition, add to the youthful energy and thrill of adventure that I wanted to communicate.
Friday, August 2, 2013
"Paved by Sunlight" Textured Oil Painting by Niki Gulley
“Paved by Sunlight" ©2013 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 30" x 40" textured oil on canvas
Just Sold! I wanted you to feel the joy and peacefulness of walking through an aspen forest on a beautiful summer day in Colorado. With soft light illuminating the walkway and the distance sparkling in golden light, the only sounds to be heard are a slight breeze flickering the leaves overhead and the serenity of being immersed in nature. What lies ahead? The mysterious glow from beyond beckons you forward.
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured aspen and birch oil paintings.
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