Strolling through a birch forest painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Woodland Stroll” ©2023 Niki Gulley
10″ x 20” textured oil painting

Today we continued our counterclockwise adventure around Iceland to arrive in the north, near the massive, impressive Godafoss waterfall. Unfortunately, our weather turned for the worse, and it was way too wet to paint the falls. However, just over the mountain, 20 minutes away at our b and b, the skies were fairly clear with even occasional glimpses of sunshine. I loved these birch trees all over their property, leading you down to the gorgeous view of the mountains in the distance. Sprinkled with summer wildflowers, I set out to capture the light casting long shadows from the trunks and causing the grasses to glow in the foreground, leading to a feeling of joy and serenity in this beautiful spot.

Close up texture detail of Woodland Stroll: 
 
If you’d like to own “Woodland Stroll,” please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/woodland-stroll/.
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on our upcoming Art Trek to Iceland, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 

 

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
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To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 

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

 

Painting Godafoss Waterfall with Niki Gulley – Iceland Art Trek

“Cascades III” ©2023 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel
To purchase, visit nikigulley.com/cascades-iii/.
 

 

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 5 – Godafoss

 

This evening we arrived in time to witness sunset over the massive Godafoss falls at the top of The Golden Circle. I set out to capture these gorgeous falls with all of their power and glory. Using diagonal strokes to capture the energy and strength of the cascades, I also wanted to show the mountains they were tumbling over as the water gushed and tumbled. Dramatic sunset clouds drift by, adding to the rhythm and emotion of this special place.The colors were so beautiful in the sky and created a rainbow of reflected colors in the cascading water. Sketching out my composition and squeezing out my colors ahead of time helped me be able to capture this fleeting moment. I hope you can hear the surging water and feel the joy of this magical place.
 
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

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

 
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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.
 

 

 

Iceland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

        

“Falling Water III” ©2023 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9” textured oil painting
 
Iceland Art Trek: Day 2 – Kvernofoss

 

Next up on our Iceland itinerary was visiting another waterfall. My husband and I love waterfalls, and it feels like Iceland has one even better than the next around every bend! So, needless to say we were pretty happy painting and photographing all of the falls the country had to offer. This cascade that we visited today is smaller in stature but no less impressive. It tumbles down over the rocky mountain and empties into a river carving its way through the lush, craggy valley below. I wanted to capture not only the falls, but the water’s path as it flows and snakes its way around the towering rock formations. Other than the midges that would swarm when the sun came out, it was a perfect afternoon! 

 

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

 

 

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

 
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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.
 

Waterfall Palette Knife Painting from Iceland by Niki Gulley

“Falling Water II”, Skógafoss, Iceland ©2023 Niki Gulley
12″ x 16” textured oil painting
 
Iceland Art Trek: Day 1 – Skogafoss

 

First stop on our Iceland Art Trek this year was the Skogafoss waterfall. Surrounded by lush grassy mountains, this cascade surges downward with such force and power! Today I set up my easel to capture the energy and flow of the water. Creating strokes in diagonal sweeping shapes to enhance that feeling of movement and rhythm, I hope you, too, can hear the flowing water’s music and feel the gentle spray from its mist.

 
 
To purchase “Falling Water,” go to https://www.nikigulley.com/falling-water-ii-2/.
 

 

To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 
 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 

 

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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.
 

Iceland Painting and Photography Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

“Ice Drift” ©2023 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 3 – Vatnajokull National Park / Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

 

The next morning, we stopped by to photograph more puffins on our way out of town. Because you can never have enough puffin watching! Then we gathered up our merry band of trekkers and headed further east to the Vatnjokull National Park. Here we had several hours to hike and photograph the exotic scenery and another amazing waterfall before our final drive to our hotel located near the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

 

 

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

 

 

 
Or, for one click shopping to purchase “Ice Drift,” go to https://www.nikigulley.com/ice-drift/.
 
 
 
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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.
 
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“Autumn Hideaway” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

   

“Autumn Hideaway”  ©2022 Niki Gulley
16″ x 20″ textured oil painting 
 
After we finished teaching our Art Trek to Vermont, my husband and I stayed another few days to try to capture the gorgeous scenery on canvas and film. This morning, we ventured up to the majestic overlook by the Von Trapp property to capture the spectacular scenery. I loved how this cabin was perfectly tucked into the mountainside surrounded by vibrant fall foliage. The slightly overcast day made the colors pop even more! I hope you, too, can enjoy the crisp autumn air and a peaceful escape from the bustle of city life.
 
To purchase “Autumn Hideaway,” please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/autumn-hideaway/.
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 

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

 

Painting Adirondack Chairs in New York by Niki Gulley

7″ x 5″ textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley

We have arrived in New York! Second stop on our Fall Foliage Freedom Tour. 15 hours later in our RV, but we made it. Now time to relax a little bit. Come join me on this inviting Adirondack porch!

If interested in purchasing, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/adirondack-chair/.

 

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

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

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

 

New Bluebonnet Painting from the Texas Hill Country by Niki Gulley

 

“Spring’s Brushstrokes II,” Texas Hill Country ©2023 Niki Gulley
20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

 

I painted these Texas bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush on location with extremely thick paint and palette knives to achieve depth and texture. It turns out the barn was built by the homeowner, and I was so taken with its beautiful craftsmanship. I chose a vertical composition so that the wildflowers in the foreground would draw your eye straight to its character and status. Leaving out extraneous background details also reinforces that feeling. 
 
The resulting image comes to life and is loaded with color and energy. In this wildflower series, I’ve painted the edges of the 1 and 1/2 inch deep stretcher bars with the scene continuing around the sides so that it can be hung without a frame, or I have the option of an espresso floater frame which draws your attention into the painting.

 

 
 
To see more of Niki Gulley’s textured landscape paintings please check out NikiGulley.com,
 

 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on this piece, or more her Texas bluebonnet and wildflower paintings.
 
 
 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
 

Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley Paints the Tuscan Countryside

  

 

“Afternoon Arrival” ©2023 Niki Gulley 
20″  x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
Cypress trees, tile-roofed stone farmhouses and undulating hills filled with grapevines and olive trees, signal that you have landed in Tuscany! Filled with energetic, thick palette knife strokes and uplifting colors, “Afternoon Arrival,” welcomes you to your new home away from home. 

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Next summer we will be leading a Foodie Trek to Spain and Tuscany, and an Art Trek to Iceland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! Details are available on ArtTreks.org.
 

 

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https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my impressionistic palette knife paintings.

 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary Italy and European paintings.

“Twilight,” Venice Pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Twilight, Venice” by Niki Gulley 11″ x 14″ pastel
 

In anticipation of our upcoming painting/photography workshop that my husband and I are teaching in Venice, Italy this spring, I thought I’d put my excitement down on canvas. I can’t wait to get back to the beauty and magic of Venice. I love entering a different world and time when we visit. This piece is inspired by the glow cast from the sun setting beyond the lagoon. Most of the gondolas have returned from their romantic cruises and have been put up for the night. There is a calmness to the usually bustling waterway that I thoroughly enjoy this time of day. 

 
If interested in “Twilight, Venice,” e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.
 
Or, visit my website to see more of my contemporary impressionist paintings at NikiGulley.com.
 
For more information about our next painting/photography workshops in Italy and other European locations, go to ArtTreks.org.