“Current of Tranquility” ©2010 Niki Gulley
36″ x 60″ oil on canvas
In this painting I wanted to communicate the peacefulness that comes over me when I’m near water, choosing cool blues and purples to heighten that feeling. I also wanted just a hint of vibrancy in the painting so I chose yellow accents in the leaves and along the bank to add contrast and life.
“Current of Tranquility” and several of my other paintings were selected to exhibit at American Airlines’ headquarters and I’m excited about attending the opening reception this afternoon! If you’d like more information on this painting or for more details on corporate acquisitions, e-mail me at [email protected].
“Beyond the Trees” by Niki GulleyI love the way sunlight trickles through tangled branches and creates mystery, and capturing that light is such a fun challenge as in the case with “Beyond the Trees.”
If you’d like to learn how to translate the fleeting light outdoors onto canvas, join me in my plein-air painting workshop this Saturday. I still have 2 spots left and I’d love to have you paint with us! Visit nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=13 or e-mail me at [email protected] for more information.
This painting was inspired by one of our trips to Tuscany. I’ve always been attracted to this lone clump of cypress trees and the story behind them, and on this day the clouds in the sky parted just enough to allow the sun’s rays to pass through and illuminate the cypress grove below in almost a spiritual way. I decided to keep the bold colors of my underpainting showing through in areas because I thought the intense reds added to the drama of the moment.
If you’d like to join us on our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Tuscany this September, let me know as it is limited to 10 participants and filling up quickly! Visit nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=13 for more information. Early registration deadline for a $300 savings is this Wednesday, March 24th.
I painted this piece at Turtle Creek in Dallas when the Azaleas were in full bloom. I wanted to capture not only their beautiful spring colors, but also the reflections in the water. A slight breeze gives a little shimmer to the creek’s surface.
If you’d like to expand your painting into a whole new world outside the studio, join me for my “Conquering Cabin Fever” plein air painting workshop next weekend. They are predicting no rain and 70 degrees, too! See nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=13 for more details. I’d love to have you join us!
One of my favorite places in Dallas in the springtime is the Arboretum during their Dallas Blooms. I love the masses of colors that the tulips, azaleas and narcissus form, not to mention that the gardens signal that winter is over and spring is really here! This weekend I’ll be exhibiting at Artscape at the Dallas Arboretum, which falls in the middle of peak time during Dallas Blooms. Going on its 5th year, Artscape showcases 100 talented artists from around the country so stop on by for a beautiful weekend of art and flowers!
I knew I wanted to paint some fun, bright, happy florals – especially after such a cold, rainy and even snowy winter – to help lift my spirits, so I chose this boldly colored Bird of Paradise and painted a cheerful lemon yellow background to add to the sense of the painting’s overall warmth. Using extremely thick oil paint and a palette knife, this painting just leaps off the canvas in person.
If you’re in Florida this weekend, stop by my booth at the Bonita Springs National Art Festival, artinusa.com/bonita/.
I wanted this painting to be more about the power of water to uplift your spirits than to be a painting of just another pretty ocean sunset. I was hoping you could feel the ocean tides lapping on the shore and hear the rhythmic, soothing sounds of the waves cresting and falling. Whenever I visit the seashore I always feel rejuvenated, and I hope I’ve translated that onto the canvas for you to experience it, too.
I’ll be showing this painting and several others at the Bonita Springs National Art Festival in Florida this weekend. If you’re fortunate enough to be in the Naples / Bonita Springs area, come on by and say hi.
Bonita Springs National Art Festival
Sat. March 13 & Sun. March 14
10am – 5pm
The Promenade in Bonita Springs, FL (at US 41 & South Bay Dr.)
artinusa.com/bonita/
Thanks to everyone who came out this weekend to the Frisco Art Festival. Saturday turned out to be a lovely day and it was great to see you guys. While Sunday turned out to be a rather rainy day, I received good news that I was chosen for the top award at the show, Juror’s Choice – Best of Show! I feel honored since there were so many talented artists at the event. Also, I wanted to share with you an article on the festival that I was interviewed for (attached below) – it ran in Friday’s Dallas Morning News Neighbor’s section.
If you couldn’t make it this past weekend, I hope you can stop by Artscape at the Dallas Arboretum March 20th and 21st. Going on its 5th year, Artscape showcases 100 talented artists from around the country and coincides with the gardens at their peak during Dallas Blooms. I’d love to see you there!