I am fascinated by our Texas live oaks. Their gnarly, tangled branches are unlike other trees and tell such a story of their life – twists, turns and all. Standing tall and branching wide, they offer shelter and respite from the hot Texas sun and grow where few other sentinels can survive such drought conditions. Their deep, etched bark gave me the perfect opportunity to play with color and texture. Add in the whimsical swirling sk and you get a modern take on Van Gogh!
E-mail Niki Gulley for more details on this live oak piece.
In this painting I wanted you to feel that child-like wonder of staring up into the treetops and heavens above. Choosing uplifting golds and reds contrasted against a turquoise-blue sky with gentle clouds drifting by, I’ve arranged the aspens in a circular pattern to give you a sense of laying on the ground, surrounded by the forest. Using diagonal leading lines with the tree trunks and limbs, your eye gazes into the focal point where all of the elements come together. Meanwhile, utilizing thick, curving paint strokes adds to that joyful, playful feeling of hope and discovery.
“Fracturing Reality II” ©2024 Niki Gulley
Color hunting in nature’s gallery ? These are the hues that make my heart sing when I look up through the autumn trees:
? Birch White – nature’s perfect highlight
Every palette tells a story – this one speaks of looking up through the trees on a perfect autumn day. Which color captures your attention first? ?
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