plein air oil paintings

“Autumn Hideaway” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

January 7, 2020

16″ x 20″ textured oil painting

After
we finished teaching our Art Trek to Vermont, my husband and I stayed
another few days to try to capture the gorgeous scenery on canvas and
film. This morning, we ventured up to the majestic overlook by the Von
Trapp property to capture the spectacular scenery. I loved how this
cabin was perfectly tucked into the mountainside surrounded by vibrant
fall foliage. The slightly overcast day made the colors pop even more! I
hope you, too, can enjoy the crisp autumn air and a peaceful escape
from the bustle of city life.

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If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland – Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020

Paris – May 2021

Portugal – Sept. 2021

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

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

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

Palette Knife Oil Painting of Stowe, VT by Niki Gulley

December 20, 2019

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Vermont Fall Foliage Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 3 – Stowe, VT

During our New England Fall Foliage Art Trek that my husband, Scott Williams, and I taught, we painted this gorgeous valley in Stowe, VT with its iconic church nestled among the vibrant foliage. Painted with palette knife and oil paint, this canvas is loaded with textured, color and movement!

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 “Golden Birch” Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

December 18, 2019

12″ x 9″ oil painting

Vermont Fall Foliage Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 2: Woodstock

On the second day of our New England Fall Foliage Art Trek that my husband and I led, we decided to paint right at our b and b because the grounds were so beautiful. Meanwhile the photographers and tourists, visited the nearby towns to photograph covered bridges, wooden barns and the gorgeous fall foliage. I decided to paint this regal birch tree next to our inn. I liked how it was perched on top if this hill, extending towards the sky. The vibrant yellows and orange leaves vibrated with energy against the clear blue sky, and I wanted to capture that feeling on my canvas. What a great way to spend the day!

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

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Painting and Photographing in Stowe, VT with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

December 17, 2019

• 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Vermont Fall Foliage Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Stowe, VT

On the fourth day of our New England Fall Foliage Art Trek, we headed to the top of Stowe Mountain to explore. The painters set out to capture this gorgeous forest ablaze with color. I loved the split rail fence lining the walkway. Meanwhile, the photographers and tourists ventured on foot through the forest and then continued to explore by car the surrounding area, picking us up for lunch on their return.

That afternoon we visited local cheese and cider companies tasting Vermont’s treats. In the evening we enjoyed viewing everyone’s paintings and watching the photographers’ slide shows from the week. Afterwards we delighted in one last dinner together. A great treat with new friends after a fun-filled day!

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If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

“Into the Woods II” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

December 13, 2019

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Vermont Fall Foliage Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Stowe, VT

Every day we were in New England, we’d drive through this gorgeous fall canopy. So one morning when the light was sparkling through the leaves, I decided to set my easel up along the road to capture its beauty and mystery. I loved the curve of the road beckoning you into the autumn glow. The dappled light also created a warmth leading your eye through the painting, onto the journey ahead.

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

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

“Relaxation Awaits II” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

December 12, 2019

“Relaxation Awaits II” • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Vermont Fall Foliage Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 5 – Stowe, VT

Inspired and created on the last day of our New England Fall Foliage Art Trek that my husband, Scott Williams, and I taught. We painters stayed just outside our B&B to capture the beautiful views of fall foliage, in all its splendor. I decided to paint this view out back, since I’d been admiring it every day of the trip. It was a gorgeous morning with vibrant fall colors frosting the flora. This set of Adirondack chairs was so inviting. The scene just welcoming me to sit, relax and enjoy the view. Long side lighting created dramatic shadows and a glow illuminated the grasses. I hope you too can escape and rejuvenate with me!

While we painted, everyone else went into Stowe to shop, explore, and photograph some more. After a wonderful morning and lunch we said our good-byes and hoped to meet again soon on a future Art Trek.

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

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

New “Black Beach Sunrise” Palette Knife Painting of Iceland by Niki Gulley

December 9, 2019

SOLD • 5″ x 7” textured oil painting

Just Sold! My husband and I visited Iceland this August and fell in love with its beauty. On this morning, we got up early to capture sunrise in the south along the Black Beach. The rock formations and caves that formed next to the water are fascinating. Giant basalt columns stacked one right after the other dominate the shoreline. I wanted to capture their texture and the peaceful glow as the morning sun rose above the horizon in this little painting.

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

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

***

If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland – Aug. 2020

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020

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

“Painted Harbor” Palette Knife Painting from Portree, Scotland by Niki Gulley

November 27, 2019

SOLD • 9″ x 12” textured oil painting

Scotland Art Trek – Days 3 and 4: Isle of Skye – Portree
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Just Sold! Following our two days in Edinburgh, we drove to the Isle of Skye for our next stop on our Scotland Art Trek. Making home base in the picturesque town of Portree, we checked in that night, grabbed a delicious dinner and crashed so that we could get an early start the next day. We spent that morning exploring the unique, other-worldly, lush area known as Fairy Glen. Returning to Portree for lunch, the weather cleared just in time for us to start painting and photographing. We set up our easels at this postcard-perfect overlook of the colorful painted harbor below. Meanwhile the photographers visited Old Man of Storr to hike up to the amazing overlook and capture Isle of Skye’s unique beauty. That evening we reconnected for an amazing dinner and a perfect end to the day.

Part of our group at the Fairy Glen.

Photographers on top of Old Man of Storr.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Scotland and other travel painting series.

***

If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland – Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020

Paris – May 2021

Portugal – Sept. 2021

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

New Lupine Palette Knife Painting from Iceland by Niki Gulley

October 28, 2019

5″ x 7” textured oil painting

On our way back to Reykavik at the end of our Iceland journey, I had one small canvas left when we came across this beautiful patch of lupine blooming in front of this dramatic mountain. I’d really wanted to see a massive field of the blue buds while we were there, but whenever we would find the plants, the flowers had already bloomed and didn’t have much color left. So Scott pulled over long enough for me to capture these beauties, a perfect way to end the trip. Created with palette knife and oil paint, this piece is filled with joy, color and texture.

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

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

***

If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland – Sept. 2020

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020

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

New Waterfall Palette Knife Painting from Iceland by Niki Gulley

October 25, 2019

9″ x 12” textured oil painting

Across from the unique Kirkjufell mountain is the Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall. Mult-tiered water flows and cascades from one layer to the next into the pool below, creating a river that eventually flows out to sea. Since it was a rather grey evening, I decided to play with the colors to create a more uplifting, fantastical scene. Using juicy, thick, diagonal strokes creates energy and movement adding to the sense of rushing water. Created with palette knife and oil paint, this piece is loaded with color, texture and joy.

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

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

***

If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland – Sept. 2020

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020

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