contemporary impressionism

History Lessons While Painting Gettysburg Bridge with Artist Niki Gulley

October 25, 2024

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Next up on our Fall Foliage Freedom Tour, we left the Northeast and started heading south. Our next destination was Washington, D.C. to visit with friends and family, but we were looking for a place to stop along the way. Low and behold, directly on our route was Gettysburg, so we had to stop in for a history lesson. And, I have a love and fascination with covered bridges, so we found Sachs Bridge and I set up my easel to capture its story.

And, boy did I get a story! Some civil war re-enactors (who also acted in the movie Glory) stopped by to chat with me and tell me all about the bridge. It was used by both Union and Confederate Troops and people claim that it is haunted at night by confederate soldiers. While I was painting, a couple in Halloween wedding clothes were getting their portraits taken, fascinated with its haunted tales. My quiet little painting spot turned out to be quite the exciting site!

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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.

Fall Foliage in the Smoky Mountains by Palette Knife Painter Niki Gulley

October 24, 2024

24″ x 30″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

Here is Asheville, NC in all of its peak autumn glory the last week of October. Of course, one of the challenges of plein-air painting is you never know what is going to change in the scene you are capturing. For instance, our neighbors at our campsite chose to park their black sedan right here in the middle of our picturesque view. Oh, well! The scenery beyond was still beautiful and I was able to take some photos on my camera to finish this one up at home. It also gave us a good excuse to take a scooter ride on that beautiful 70 degree day and check out the picturesque nature trails in the North Carolina Arboretum. Not a bad way to finish up our immersive autumn trip!

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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.

Experience Asheville’s Gorgeous Fall Foliage in Niki Gulley’s Paintings

October 22, 2024

20″ x 30″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

Just WOW!!! Our timing in Asheville was perfect. Gorgeous peak color and ideal 70 degree days. The view from our campsite was spectacular and I had to capture those autumn hues before they were gone. Especially since the leaves were falling into my paint as soon as I mixed the next color. I hope you can feel pure joy and energy in this one! And, there may be a little extra real leaf texture as a bonus.

To see a video about this painting, check out https://www.instagram.com/p/CzBw2bNOy_9/.

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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.

Colorful Birch Tree Painting from Vermont by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

October 18, 2024

20? x 30? textured acrylic painting on canvas

The weather turned quickly in Vermont! From 80 to 50 and solid rain in just a day. So here I took advantage of my last chance to paint while it was dry and there were still autumn leaves on the trees. Gilded and crimson foliage invite you to explore this golden light filled path. May you experience nature’s joy and serenity while wandering through these woods.

To see a video of the area as I was painting, check out https://www.instagram.com/p/CyOE3TjOlkc/.

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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.

Palette Knife Waterfall Painting by Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 19, 2024

24″ x 18″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

So many waterfalls. So little time! Since this one is a shorter hike – just 100 steps down and then we merely had to climb over and balance on some slippery rocks, this was my painting spot! Listen to the cathartic rhythm of those rushing falls. Enjoy your escape with us to the mountains.

If you’d like to see a video and hear the rushing sounds of Looking Glass Falls, visit https://www.instagram.com/p/Cy56cAKufbJ/.

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.

Capturing Vermont’s Fall Foliage with Palette Knife Painter Niki Gulley

July 18, 2024

24″ x 18″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

The color explosion in northern Vermont was out of this world, and I just had to capture its fleeting beauty. So, we found a nice big place to park the RV and I was able to work larger again today. The reds were so vibrant and intense on this maple that it had to be my focus. Feeling like a kid with the excitement of the colors, I chose this uplifting view reminiscent of laying on the ground as a child and staring up into the treetops and sky. Totally lost in the moment and not a care in the world, I hope you are transported to a similar happy memory from your youth!

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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.

“Between the Birches” Fall Foliage Painting from Maine by Niki Gulley

July 15, 2024

18″ x 24″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Painted on location in Acadia National Park, we discovered this beautiful spot alongside the road with plenty of room to park our RV, which isn’t always easy to find a spot large enough. The birches were starting to turn colors and I loved this peaceful lake view. I hope it transports you to serenity, too!

If you are in the Madison, WI area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at Art Fair on the Square. I’d love to see you there!

Art Fair on the Square
Saturday, July 13 • 9 AM–6 PM
Sunday, July 14 • 10 AM–5 PM
Capitol Square
Madison, WI
Booth #860
https://www.mmoca.org/event/art-fair-on-the-square/

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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.

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.

“Scenic Byway II” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

February 20, 2024

16″ x 20″ textured oil painting on canvas

Painted just outside of Santa Fe, the fall colors were gorgeous this year. The contrast of complimentary oranges and blues and yellows and purples created an energetic symphony for the eyes! Bright sunshine warmed up the day and caused the light to glow and dance. I hope you can enjoy the escape of a leisurely drive through the beautiful autumn scenery of New Mexico.

To purchase “Scenic Byway II,” please visit the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX at goodartcompany.com/niki-gulley .

And, if you’d like to see this painting and meet me in person, please stop by the gallery’s 15 year anniversary celebration on Feb. 3rd!

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Southwest textured oil paintings.

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