plein air painting

Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley Paints Asheville’s Darnell Farms

July 4, 2024

12″ x 9” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Painted on location, I?loved this old weathered barn. But, being a huge fan of the impressionists and their use of color, I was struggling with how to paint the scene with so much green grass surrounding the pastures. As I kept strolling around the farm, I came across these beautiful fuschia flowers and knew this is exactly what I?was looking for to bring joy and color to my painting. May this peaceful, nostalgic setting lift your spirtis, too!

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.

Waterfalls, Waterfalls and More Waterfalls! Iceland Paintings by Niki Gulley

January 26, 2024

SOLD • 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.

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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!

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

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E-mail Niki Gulley.

NikiGulley.com

New “Playtime” Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

September 5, 2023

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

Filled with whimsy and movement, I hope “Playtime” captures the memories of swinging from sturdy branches on a lazy summer day. Using staccato strokes, adds to the energy of the moment while fun pops of color build excitement. Not a care in the world, I hope you can feel the joy as you fly high and soar on a dream.

To view more of my palette knife impressionist landscape paintings, check out nikigulley.com.

Or, e-mail me at Niki Gulley for more information.

“Princess Gardens” in Edinburgh, Scotland Painting by Niki Gulley

July 4, 2022

SOLD • 12″ x 9” textured oil painting

Scotland Art Trek – First Day: Edinburgh
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Just Sold! On the first day of our plein air painting and photography trip to Scotland, we began our adventure in the Medieval capitol city of Edinburgh. Filled with energy, fascinating architecture and history, we were all struck by its uniqueness and beauty. While the photographers shot and explored the city, we set up our easels close to our hotel to paint the lovely Princess Gardens that run through the center of the city. I set out to capture the lush hydrangeas lining this intricate stairway with just a glimpse of the ferris wheel in the background while some of my students did the same and others set out to recreate the interesting architectural details of the buildings. That evening we all gathered for a delicious Michelin restaurant dinner and compared our stories from the day. With sunny skies and great company, our first day in Scotland turned out to be a great start to the trip!

Part of our Art Trek group painting in Edinburgh.

If you’re interested in purchasing this painting, just follow this link https://www.nikigulley.com/princess-garden/.

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

Check out http://www.ArtTreks.org for more details.

2022 Schedule

Alsace

Art Trek – Aug. 20-27

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Tuscany

Foodie Trek – Oct. 8-15

2023 Schedule

Venice – Carnivalé

Art Trek – Feb. 12-18

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Tuscany

Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3

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Provence

Art Trek – June 24- July 1

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New England

Art Trek – Oct. 10-15

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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.

New Commissioned Oil Painting from Lake Como by Niki Gulley

March 24, 2022

SOLD • oil on canvas • 24″ x 48″

Just Delivered to a good new home! Lake Como, Italy is probably my favorite spot from all of our travels, so I was thrilled when my collectors asked me to paint a custom painting from this region.

The vistas are simply breathtaking with the alps in the background, the gorgeous blue of the lake, the brightly colored unique buildings and the lush foliage dotting the magnificent gardens. I love this little laid back town of Varenna, which is so peaceful that all of your cares just melt away. I’m sure my commissioned painting will help bring back fond memories for my collectors of their travelers and bring some peace and joy to their beautiful home!

To see more of my paintings from Italy, visit nikigulley.com.

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

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We will be returning to Tuscany this October for a delicious Foodie Trek. For more information, visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

If you’re interested in joining us, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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New “Meandering Journey” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

June 19, 2021

“Meandering Journey” © Niki Gulley

16″ x 20″ textured oil on canvas panel

Recently, we visited Santa Fe and to escape the heat we ventured up the Santo de Cristo mountains to cool down amongst the beautiful, refreshing aspen trees. I was drawn to this meandering path leading through the aspens with its dappled light creating such gorgeous shadows. Having fun capturing all of the different textures with palette knife from the lush grasses to the feathery wildflowers to the peeling bark on the aspen trees, I set out to recreate the peace and beauty of this forest. I hope you, too, can feel the serenity of this rejuvenating place and enjoy an uplifting walk in the woods.

For more details or to purchase “Meandering Journey,” please go to nikigulley.com/meandering-journey/.

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

See NikiGulley.com to see more of her contemporary landscape paintings.

“Morning Shadows” Textured Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

May 28, 2021

SOLD • 12″ x 9″ textured oil painting

Just sold! On the first night of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in southern France, we arrived at our B and B and went into town that evening for a wine tasting and amazing dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant. The food was out of this world, the weather was perfect for dining outside, and our new group was great company!

The next morning, our painters stayed at our b and b and painted right there since the grounds were so beautiful.The light raking across the balcony and shutters was so dramatic, and I loved how the gnarly trees framed the composition to make a window within a window. Meanwhile, the photographers visited a nearby 11th century Abbey and took some incredible photographs. We met up later that day and headed to the nearby town of Arles for lunch.

Wine tasting in Provence.

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

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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

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If you’re interested in purchasing this painting, just follow this link https://www.nikigulley.com/morning-shadows/.

To see framing options, please e-mail me.

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If you’d like to receive daily e-mails about these new paintings as soon as I finish them and a chance to purchase them before anyone else, please follow me on Facebook or Instagram. And, if you know anyone else who might be interested, I’d really appreciate it you could pass this along. Thank you!

E-mail Niki Gulley.

NikiGulley.com

“Princess Gardens” in Edinburgh, Scotland Painting by Niki Gulley

May 13, 2021

12″ x 9” textured oil painting

Scotland Art Trek – First Day: Edinburgh
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the first day of our plein air painting and photography trip to Scotland, we began our adventure in the Medieval capitol city of Edinburgh. Filled with energy, fascinating architecture and history, we were all struck by its uniqueness and beauty. While the photographers shot and explored the city, we set up our easels close to our hotel to paint the lovely Princess Gardens that run through the center of the city. I set out to capture the lush hydrangeas lining this intricate stairway with just a glimpse of the ferris wheel in the background while some of my students did the same and others set out to recreate the interesting architectural details of the buildings. That evening we all gathered for a delicious Michelin restaurant dinner and compared our stories from the day. With sunny skies and great company, our first day in Scotland turned out to be a great start to the trip!

Part of our Art Trek group painting in Edinburgh.

If you’re interested in purchasing this painting, just follow this link https://www.nikigulley.com/princess-garden/.

***

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. 2021

Portugal – Sept. 2021

Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2022

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.

“Standing Witness” Palette Knife Aspen Painting by Niki Gulley

October 15, 2020

Recently, we visited Santa Fe and to escape the heat we ventured up the Santo de Cristo mountains to cool down among the beautiful, refreshing aspen trees. I was attracted to this grove in particular with their beautiful textured white bark and their proximity and angles to each other. I decided to include the sentinels behind, also, to give you a sense of being surrounded by the peaceful forest. Dappled light casts diagonal shadows and causes the grasses to dance and sparkle. I hope you can feel the serenity of this rejuvenating place.

Close up texture detail:

I’m excited to have been invited to exhibit at Studio Seven Arts in Pleasanton, CA. If you’d like to see or find out more details about Standing Witness, please check them out:

Studio Seven Arts Gallery

400 Main Street

Pleasanton, CA

StudioSevenArts.com

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my birch and aspen tree oil paintings.

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

NikiGulley.com

New “Meandering Journey” Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

October 14, 2020

“Meandering Journey”

16″ x 20″ textured oil by Niki Gulley

I’m excited to have been invited to exhibit at Studio Seven Arts in Pleasanton, CA. If you’d like to see or find out more details about Meandering Journey, please check them out:

Studio Seven Arts Gallery

400 Main Street

Pleasanton, CA

StudioSevenArts.com

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

See NikiGulley.com to see more of her contemporary landscape paintings.