April 2024

New “Symphonic Expressions” Large Abstract Texas Painting by Niki Gulley

April 30, 2024

48″ x 60″ textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

My labor of love this past month! With the canvas as wide as I am tall, and so many ups and downs my step ladder painting it, this one was quite the workout. But, it was important for me to completely immerse you in the energy found amongst nature. This painting is best seen in person so that you can step into this life-size canvas and feel our Texas’ landscape’s beauty yourself.

I made sure to not over blend my thick strokes so that you could see the marks and feel the vivacity found in nature. Repeating patterns and waves of color create a harmony within the painting. Rendering the bluebonnets and wildflowers along with their surroundings abstractly plays with taking a traditional subject matter and putting a new twist on it. Voluminous and dramatic clouds surround your journey into this uplifting symphonic expression of peace and hope.

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For more details on my other Texas paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

New Joyful Sunflower Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

April 29, 2024

36″ x 48” textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

Being a huge Van Gogh fan, I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of color and energy just like how I feel to be surrounded by a joyful field of sunflowers! Perky, circular faces smile at you as their golden petals dance across the canvas. Painting these blooms full-sized helps to bring them to life and hopefully transport you to this happy location. Including surprising pops of vivid reds, purples and blues keep your eye moving throughout the scene, seeing new things each time you look at it, and adds to the jubilant feeling.

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

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Palette Knife Seascape Painting by Niki Gulley

April 26, 2024

Just Sold! I love everything about going to the beach. I love gazing into the endless horizon while listening to the rhythmic sounds of waves crashing against the shore. I love feeling the warmth of the sun against my skin while the cool sand squishes between my toes. And, I love how all of my cares disappear and I feel completely at peace engulfed in the moment.

So, getting to paint along the shoreline is almost as close as it gets to perfection! I hope you, too, can feel the joy and serenity of gazing at the ocean in this piece.

5″ x 7″ textured acrylic painting on panel

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For more information on my textured palette knife paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

Or, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

Textured Abstract Seascape Painting by Niki Gulley

April 25, 2024

36″ x 60″ Textured Acrylic Painting on gallery wrap canvas with the painting continuing around the edges

Over the course of several weeks, I layered dreamy layer over dreamy layer of paint to give this piece sparkle and depth. Longing for a cool beach and the cathartic sounds of the ocean, I started with drippy, fluid paint and then built up thick textured strokes to bring the energy of the ocean’s waves to life. Slightly abstract, loose and free, I hope you can feel the healing qualities of the water and get lost in its mesmerizing rhythm.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my seascape paintings.

Painting Portugal’s Gorgeous Coastline with Impressionist Niki Gulley

April 24, 2024

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on panel

Portugal Art Trek:

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 7 – Cascais

Last painting from Portugal, and a fantastic way to end the trip! Listening to the ocean waves while painting along the shoreline is just what the doctor ordered. I hope you can escape with us in this piece!

To see a video of us painting, visit https://www.instagram.com/p/C4x5W9pouTn/.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Portugal painting series.

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Iceland Art Trek
August 6-13, 2024
Only 2 spots left!

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025

Only 2 spots left!
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

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

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Painting in Cascais with Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

April 23, 2024

8″ x 6″ textured acrylic painting on panel

Portugal Art Trek:

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 7 – Cascais

At the end of our trip, we stayed right at our home base town, Cascais. The Atlantic Ocean hugs its coastline, and there is a great walking trail all along the city. After finishing taking in the beautiful scenery along the water, we wandered the maze of tiled streets throughout town, soaking in the architecture and energy.

Here is just one of the beautiful views from everyone’s balcony on our Portugal Art Trek. I’ve always loved lighthouses so I had to capture this blue and white one as late day light caused it to pop against the blue ocean.

We finished the night with a delicious dinner of Portuguese tapas. A great way to end the trip!

View from our hotel

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Portugal painting series.

***

Iceland Art Trek
August 6-13, 2024
Only 2 spots left!

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025

Only 2 spots left!
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

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

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Exploring Belém by Land and Water with Art Treks

April 22, 2024

6″ x 8″ textured acrylic painting on panel

Portugal Art Trek:

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 6 – Belém

Today we rode the train to visit the important town of Belém, with visits to Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery. The church, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site shows the distinctive Manueline architecture and Vasco de Gama’s tomb.

Meanwhile I decided to paint having toured the sites a few times in the past. Talk about some crazy atmospheric light! One minute the sun would be out and the next dramatic skies looked like they would pour down on us. Fortunately we never got rain all day and it made for interesting painting conditions. I had fun painting this cypress lined park with the monastery peeking through in the distance.

That evening we treated ourselves to a relaxing boat cruise along the Tagus river. Mother nature held out and we were able to enjoy a sunset cruise as we sipped on some local Portuguese wines!

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Portugal painting series.

***

Iceland Art Trek
August 6-13, 2024
Only 2 spots left!

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025

Only 2 spots left!
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

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

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Painting Lisbon with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

April 19, 2024

6″ x 8″ textured acrylic painting on panel

Portugal Art Trek:

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 5 – Lisbon

Rounding out our adventure, we visited the bustling city of Lisbon. Most of our group visited the Carmo Convent, know as the church without a ceiling, and toured the city’s sights. Today there were such dramatic clouds and I had to capture the iconic red bridge in the style of San Francisco’s Golden Gate.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Portugal painting series.

***

Iceland Art Trek
August 6-13, 2024
Only 2 spots left!

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025

Only 2 spots left!
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

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

***

Painting in Portugal with Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

April 18, 2024

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on panel

Portugal Art Trek:

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 4 – Obidos

For a change of pace, the next day we took a side trip to the quaint and colorful town of Obidos. This charming Portuguese walled town with narrow cobbled streets, traditional painted houses and medieval castle, is a perfect destination to immerse yourself in Portugal’s history. The white washed houses and gnarly plein trees screamed that they needed an artist to try and capture their beauty and uniqueness.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Portugal painting series.

***

Iceland Art Trek
August 6-13, 2024
Only 2 spots left!

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025

Only 2 spots left!
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

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

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Exploring Sintra with Art Treks

April 17, 2024

6″ x 8″ textured acrylic painting on panel

Portugal Art Trek:

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 3 – Afternoon Location: Sintra and the National Palace

Next up on the itinerary our group visited the last main Sintra attractions, the National Palace and the sweet town of Sintra itself. So many beautiful palaces, so little time! Here you can see some of the colorful exteriors hugging the cliffside as the village bustles with activity below.

After a full day, we then headed back to Cascais for a little downtime at our hotel and another delicious Portuguese dinner.

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Iceland Art Trek
August 6-13, 2024
Only 2 spots left!

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025

Only 2 spots left!
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
Early Deadline for a $600 savings: May 11th

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

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

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