palette knife landscape painting

New “Full Circle” Seasons Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

October 23, 2024

30″ x 30″ textured acrylic painting on circular board

In “Full Circle,” I started thinking about how everything has its life cycle. Trees evolve from season to season, sprouting buds, forming leaves, turning in the fall and eventually dying back in the winter. Time is a constant. In our lives, the idea of time is often in the back or our mind. How long will we be here and how are we going to spend it? So, here I used nature as a metaphor. I arranged the seasons in the pattern of a clock face, representing the cycle of life. Twelve main trunks act like the hours in a day, arranged in a circle as time ticks on. Gazing into the treetops like looking up to the heavens, light shines through as a reassuring beacon of hope and what’s beyond.

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife fall foliage paintings.

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

Plein Air Painting in New York with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

October 1, 2024

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Today was a gorgeous day for painting in New York. 73 degrees!!! I loved these colorful wildflowers framing this country road. I hope this one transports you to a simpler, peaceful place.

E-mail – Niki Gulley.

To see more of my travel paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com

New Colorado Wildflower Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

December 27, 2023

34″ x 34″ textured mixed media painting on canvas

Crimson Paintbrush fill Colorado’s undulating grassy fields with color joy. Making sure to not over blend my thick strokes allows you to see the marks and feel the peaceful energy, as nature’s palette holds a harmonic concert. Repeating patterns and waves of color create a harmony within the painting, while rendering the blooms and their surroundings abstractly plays with taking a traditional subject matter and showing it in a contemporary way.

To purchase, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/rhythms-of-summer-iv/.

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my palette knife wildflower paintings.

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

New Contemporary Summer Aspens Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

December 15, 2023

26″ x 26″ textured mixed media painting on canvas

Colorado in July is such a beautiful sight to behold! Cool mountain breezes and woods loaded with tranquil aspens invigorate your soul while cheerful lupine and native wildflowers lift your spirits and fill your heart with joy. Nature’s symphony dances to a tune that is music for your senses. Loaded with texture and color, may “Rhythms of Summer” transport you to this magical land of summer serenity.

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my palette knife aspen and birch paintings.

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

New “Full Circle” Seasons Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 21, 2023

30″ x 30″ textured acrylic painting on circular board

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife fall foliage paintings.

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

New Colorado Columbine Textured Painting by Niki Gulley

May 31, 2023

30″ x 20″ textured oil painting

Through the pine tree window, Colorado’s splendor unfolds before you. Late light casts its golden glow across rolling hills illuminating Columbine and wildflowers along its journey. Contrasting textures of running paint and thick palette knife strokes create extreme dimension, connecting background to foreground, beckoning you onward and bringing the scene to life. May you relish this peaceful odyssey while soaking in the beauty of your surroundings and enjoying the rhythms of mother nature.

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

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

Packing Your Suitcase for a Painting Trip to Italy with Niki Gulley

February 21, 2023

Niki Gulley, Contemporary Impressionist Painter

Upcoming Venice Art Trek Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

The other day I showed you the materials that I take with me when I’m teaching / painting overseas. So, today I thought you might be interested in seeing how in the world all of this gear fits into my suitcase!

So, pretty much 1/2 to 2/3rds of my case ends up being painting supplies. Above you can see my Pochade box (easel) stacked on top of my wet panel carrier. In front of that, I have a bag with back-up paints should I run out of a color and the supplies that didn’t fit inside of my pochade box along with a roll of paper towels. I could buy those there, but I’m partial to VIVA since they hold up like rags and I have yet to find that brand in Europe. Lastly, in front of that you can see my tripod and my sun hat is in the lid.

Below I’ve attached a photo that shows you how I pack my clothes in the air space bags and below that is another pair of shoes, toiletries, medicines, etc. Voila! I actually got it all to fit and weigh under the maximum limit of 50 pounds. Thank goodness for dressing in layers so my clothes actually fit.

 
To see my plain air landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her paintings or classes.
 
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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 trips, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
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How to Pack Plein Air Painting Supplies for Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley

February 20, 2023

Niki Gulley, Contemporary Impressionist Painter

Upcoming Venice Art Trek

The other day I showed you how I prepare and carry my canvas when we travel and paint. The next step is to start gathering the rest of my supplies, making sure I have enough paint, etc.

For our upcoming Art Trek that Scott and I are teaching in Venice, I’ve chosen to work with acrylics. I prefer a brand called “Open” acrylics made by Golden. They are slower drying than typical acrylics –perfect for location paintings.

Here you can also see my Pochade box which is a brilliant all-in-one design, where it acts as easel, supply holder and even carries 2 wet canvases in the back. I love it! Just attach it to a tripod or hold it in your lap and you’re ready to go. Also, a pair of gloves, collapsible water holder, brushes, palette knives, paper towels, palette and don’t forget your hat!

Now I just need to squeeze all of this into my suitcase along with my clothes and other travel necessities! Stay tuned…

 
To see my plain air landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her paintings or classes.
 
***
 
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 trips, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
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What Art Supplies to Pack on an Overseas Plein Air Painting Trek

February 17, 2023

Contemporary Impressionist Painter – Niki Gulley

Venice Art Trek

People often ask me how I pack my paints and gear when we travel, so I thought you might like to see a sneak peek at that process. Today I started getting ready for the upcoming Art Trek, my husband, Scott Williams, and I are teaching in Venice.

First step is preparing my canvas boards. I don’t like to s*tart on white, so I’ve painted a bunch of different colored acrylic backgrounds and I’ll choose whichever color seems best for the scene that day. Aren’t they fun? Like different color starburst candies!

Next, these will go into my wet painting carrier which has slots in it to keep the wet paintings from touching.

 
To see my plain air landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.
 
***
 
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 trips, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***

Painting Tranquility in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains

January 12, 2023

16″ x 20″ textured mixed media painting on canvas by Niki Gulley

Continuing on our journey to escape the Texas heat this summer, we retreated to the gorgeous Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The setting was so beautiful and peaceful that I just had to pull out my paints and start capturing all of that joy and tranquility! Here is my finished painting of the Dillon Reservoir.

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

See NikiGulley.com