June 2011

“Dancing on Water” textured water lily oil painting

June 29, 2011

36” x 60” • textured oil on wrap around canvas

Sunlight sparkles across aqua blue water, diamonds of purple glitter the pond’s surface; water lilies lift their faces toward the sky. Golden sunlight filters through the brambles and ferns, a touch of cardinal red peeks through purple and pink foliage while azure heavens reflect in the water. Placing the lilies in arcing patterns and staggering where they are floating about, adds to the flow and energy in the moment, and gives you the sense that they are gently dancing on water.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings.

“Bountiful Bulbs” Textured Tulip Oil Painting

June 27, 2011

Textured oil on wrap around canvas • 18” x 48”

Sometimes I like to paint places that I dream about and hope to one day experience, as is the case in “Bountiful Bulbs.” The tulip farms that I’ve seen in photos look so magnificent with their perfect vibrant rows of color combined with hearing my friends’ descriptions of seeing the overwhelming explosion of blooms both inspire me to paint a strawberry-and-lemon-lollipop-dipped world where all of your cares melt away.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my textured floral and contemporary landscape paintings.

Textured Poppy Painting “Dreams Revisited”

June 24, 2011

36” x 48” textured acrylic on canvas

In this painting I wanted to create a dream-like feeling using one of my favorite flowers, the poppy, so I chose to paint this landscape at dusk as the sun is starting to set over the distant hills to add to that mood. I love the wildflower masses in the foreground creating waves of color, and the curving shapes adding to the sense of tranquility. I was mesmerized what the cinematography in the movie “What Dreams May Come” and my painting reminded me a little of those magical graphics, so I decided to title my piece the same.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my textured oil aspen and birch tree paintings.

Textured Aspen Trees oil painting

June 22, 2011

36” x 48” textured oil on wrap around canvas

Shimmering colors of autumn: Aspen trees quiver, their light graceful leaves tremble and quake, silver and gold, silver and gold with each light breeze.

There is the quiet energy of change coming and vibrant color charges the woods. Crisp fall mountain air, clean bright skies overhead, a band of slender straight trucks cut bright strokes of white against a dazzling tumble of green, crimson and gold.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my textured oil aspen and birch tree paintings.

“Notes a Flutter” new aspen tree oil painting

June 20, 2011

24” x 18” traditional oil in Espresso Frame with Inner Gold Trim

Colorado’s celebrated quaking aspen trees stand arrow straight in the valleys and

up and down the hills.

Slim white trunks sing out against the forest background and each leaf provides

a sparkling symphony of notes whispering through the mountains.

Flames of yellow leaves flicker against autumn’s burning reds

and the deep, cool blue mountain streaked with early banks of snow.

This painting captures the breathtaking colors of

Colorado in the fall, the Aspens at their most beautiful, the peaceful snow-banked mountain, the rustling murmur and musical sigh of the fluttering leaves.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings.

See NikiGulley.com

“Long Shadows” New oil painting of White Rock Lake

June 17, 2011

12” x 24” oil on canvas

Sunset draws lengthening shadows across the grassy waters edge at Sunset Bay, White Rock. The lake shimmers in the evening glow as sky high above fills with deep blues and before you the soft, moody colors stretch out, long lines beckoning you into the complex diagonal composition. Rich texture models the leaves, branches and tree trunk rimmed in the sunset and shadow. Vivid masses of color form the foliage on the opposite bank, fall at its peak. The long cast shadows draw you into the tranquil landscape and the peaceful, dreamy sunset at White Rock Lake.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings.

“Turtle Creek Morning” – New oil painting

June 15, 2011

12” x 24” oil on wrap around canvas

Early on a fall morning the sun breaks softly, dreamlike, through leafy branches and casts early autumn’s golden palette across the creek. Silent water is ruffled by a gentle breeze. Arching over, bending into the quiet waters, a tree is mirrored encompassing, embracing –this painting captures the dreamy reflections and tranquil landscape of one of my favorite spots to paint near my home. It is painted in the traditional plein air oil manner, incorporating some heavy texture.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings.

“Cascading Rhythms” new textured waterfall painting

June 13, 2011

12” x 24” textured oil on canvas

Water pounds its way down the falls: cascading, rushing, charging into the riverbed — flowing over rocks, swiftly moving forward. Untamed, the water finds its way over, under, around the boulder-strewn river. Tumbling waters drive up mists above the falls, the rhythmic sounds create a soothing harmony below. Autumn’s low light casts long lines through the Aspen trees and glowing verge.

Or, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings.

“Choices Await” new White Rock Lake painting

June 10, 2011

12” x 24” textured oil on wrap around canvas

Every day brings a choice – where should you go? Which path should you take? Life awaits you and this artwork says that you have everything before you: your “Choices Await” you. This masterful V shaped composition pulls you into the painting of still waters, reflected reeds and trees creating a sense of calm and meditation. Bring home this beautiful memory of White Rock Lake and each day it will challenge you to be bold, be decisive.

To see the contemplative “Choices Await” and more of Niki Gulley’s textured palette knife oil paintings in person, please stop by her booth at Wells Street Art Show.

Saturday June 10 from 11 am to 8 pm and

Sunday June 11 from noon to 6 pm.

Chicago, IL • On N. Wells St., between North Ave. & Division

Booth #118 & 120

Visit chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=141 for details.

Or, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings.

“Vertical Aspirations” New textured aspen oil painting

June 8, 2011

48” x 36” textured oil on canvas

In this painting I wanted you to feel that child-like wonder of staring up in into the treetops and the heavens above. Choosing vibrant, cheerful yellows contrasted against a crystal blue sky and arranging the aspens in a circular pattern heightened by thick, curving paint strokes, both add to that joyful, playful feeling of hope and discovery.

To see Vertical Aspirations and more of Niki Gulley’s textured aspen and birch oil paintings, visit her booth, #120, at the Wells Street Art Show this weekend in downtown Chicago.

chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=141

Or, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings.