July 2018

Palette Knife Iris Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 30, 2018

“Flowing into Spring III” ©2018 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 24″ x 12″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas • Lee Park, Dallas
Framed in a 2″ espresso floater frame

Just Sold! Painted on location at Lee Park in Dallas, I loved how the irises signaled that spring was in full bloom. Standing tall, anchoring this corner of the creek these purple blooms lead your eye up through the canvas, along the water’s edge to the stone bridge in the distance. The soft light adds to the peacefulness of this tranquil spot, and I hope all of your cares are transported away while lifting your spirits.

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

E-mail – Niki Gulley

New “Over the Hills II” Bluebonnet Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

July 27, 2018

SOLD • 18″ x 24″ textured oil painting

Just Sold! Recently we loaded up the car and headed south to visit the Texas Hill Country to see the wildflowers in bloom. While not as prolific as some years, the thick patches we found did not disappoint. It’s so exciting to see a massive carpet of blue across our usually green hills, and I love how the bluebonnets signal that spring has arrived!After delivering new art to my gallery, The Good Art Company, in Fredericksburg we ventured north to the Willow City Loop to take in the breathtaking vistas and plethora of wildflowers that normally fill the landscape there. I love this spot as you ascend hill after hill to arrive at the top with beautiful views of the valley below. Erecting my easel along the roadside, I set out to capture the bluebonnets framing the foreground in front of this spectacular view. The road on the right invites you to leisurely drive through the loop while the sun just starts to set. I hope you enjoy the journey and all of your cares drift away!

I painted these Texas Bluebonnets and wildflowers with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives to achieve depth and texture. The resulting image comes to life and is loaded with color and movement.

For information on my “Over the Hills” series and to see more of my Texas hill country landscape paintings, please check out NikiGulley.com,

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

New “Over the Hills III” Bluebonnet Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

July 25, 2018

16″ x 20″ textured oil painting

Recently we loaded up the car and headed south to visit the Texas Hill Country to see the wildflowers in bloom. While not as prolific as some years, the thick patches we found did not disappoint. It’s so exciting to see a massive carpet of blue across our usually green hills, and I love how the bluebonnets signal that spring has arrived!For our next stop on our Texas adventure, I decided to paint in Austin since the wildflowers were so prolific there. This field was covered with not only the bluebonnets that I love, but also the Indian Paintbrush and Indian Blanket that fills me with energy and joy when I see a field of all of that red! The blossoms formed such rhythmic rows as they iced the rolling hills that I set out to capture that harmony and movement in this piece. Painted with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives to achieve depth and texture, the resulting image comes to life and is loaded with color and excitement.

For information on my “Over the Hills” series and to see more of my Texas hill country landscape paintings, please check out NikiGulley.com,

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

New “Peaceful Poppies” Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

July 23, 2018

SOLD • 11″ x 14” textured oil painting, framed in espresso

Just Sold! I was particularly drawn to this peaceful scene with the calm waters in the distance and the happy clouds drifting by overhead. The explosion of crimson from the poppies was so vibrant and beautiful that I had to capture the moment. Working with palette knife and thick oil paint, this painting is loaded with texture, color and movement. I hope you, too, can feel a sense of peace and joy when you gaze into this landscape.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my wildflower and poppy field oil paintings.

New Tuscany Palette Knife Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

July 20, 2018

SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Just Sold! I painted “Cypress Shadows” from the villa we stay in when my husband and I are teaching our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Tuscany. The late afternoon light was so beautiful how it cast its golden glow on the landscape and stone farmhouse, and I had to capture it before it was gone. Long deep shadows from the surrounding cypress trees draw your eye into the composition and set a peaceful mood of the approaching evening. I hope you enjoy the escape to beautiful Tuscany, too, when you gaze at my painting!

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If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know.

Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!

Vermont Fall Foliage – Oct. 2018

Spain – May 2019

Ireland Foodie Trek – Aug. 2019

Scotland Art Trek – Aug. 2019

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

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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

New Tuscany Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

July 18, 2018

30″ x 48” textured oil painting on gallery wrap canvas

This painting is inspired from a trip to Tuscany we took a few years ago when my husband, who is a professional photographer, and I spent about a week scouring every inch of the countryside for the best poppy fields and views. I was particularly drawn to this peaceful scene, even if the poppies weren’t as prolific as in other fields. I loved the calming, sweeping shapes of the hills and the vibrant reds contrasting against the softer grasses and white wildflowers. The road beckons you back to the stone farmhouse in the distance, while dramatic voluminous clouds dance across the sky, mimicking the foreground shapes and creating a sense of harmony. Repeating colors throughout, I love how the Impressionists used vibrant hues to add to the mood of a scene and create flow, so I brought my contemporary approach with broad strokes and thick texture to their traditions. I hope you, too, can feel a sense of peace and joy when you gaze into this Tuscan landscape.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Tuscany and poppy field oil paintings.

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For more information on upcoming European Foodie or Plein-Air Painting and Photography Art Treks workshops led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams, please visit http://www.arttreks.org.

“Reflective Radiance” textured oil painting of Monet’s Garden by Niki Gulley

July 16, 2018

Two 48″ x 18″ canvases with one 48″ x 30″ canvas in the middle to form a 48″ x 66″ triptych

Textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Just Sold! I decided it would be a fun challenge to create an extremely large painting, and I wanted the final piece 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 water lilies and my paint strokes in a curving pattern to add to that mood. 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 for more information.

Visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

New “Rhythmic Waters” Palette Knife Seashore painting by Niki Gulley

July 13, 2018

SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Just sold! I wanted this painting to be about the power of the ocean to lift your spirits. Painting this piece on location, 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 like I was experiencing while painting it. 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.

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

Or e-mail me for more information at [email protected].

New “Autumn Cascades” Palette Knife Aspen Painting by Niki Gulley

July 11, 2018

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 surge 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, while autumn colors glow as we peer through the tangle of textured Aspen trees.

If you have any questions about Autumn Cascades or my palette knife Aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of Niki Gulley’s contemporary landscape paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 9, 2018

SOLD • 12″ x 9″ oil painting

Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 6, afternoon location: Villa Babianello

Just Sold! In the afternoon, we visited the impressive Villa Babianello, made famous in both the James Bond and Star Wars films. It lives up to its reputation, perched atop lush formal gardens with a gorgeous scenic overlook of the water. After such beautiful views of the lake that day, we treated ourselves to an elegant dinner with another breathtaking panorama of Lake Como below. Dinner was amazing with red pepper prawn soup, scallops in pumpkin risotto, caprese salad and delicious wine to wash it down!

If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know.

Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!

Vermont Fall Foliage – Oct. 2018

Spain – May 2019

Ireland Foodie Trek – Aug. 2019

Scotland Art Trek – Aug. 2019

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

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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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