My Blog – Page 23

New “Beauty in Blue” English Garden Painting by Impressionist Niki Gulley

August 31, 2023

SOLD • 12″ x 16” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Just sold! So, today I broke my earlier pattern in the “Paint Historic Waxahachie” contest and started painting blue. I just adored this azure blue craftsman home surrounded by its beautiful garden. The homeowner was so welcoming and took such pride in his yard, that I wanted to honor that in my painting. The rose trellis and dappled lit entry were so inviting, that I wanted to capture that feeling, almost like the setting was giving you a warm, welcoming hug.

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary architectural paintings.

And, for more information on my textured impressionistic paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

Texas Artist Niki Gulley Paints Historic Waxahachie

August 30, 2023

8″ x 10” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Can you really get too much pink??? After painting my first blush Victorian home in Waxahachie the previous week, I just had to capture another one today. This 1800’s beauty was decorated in pink, pink, and more pink! So whimsical and fun, I just had to feature these kitschy flamingos and all of the rosy glory surrounding them.

For a brand new challenge this spring, I registered for Paint Historic Waxahachie, a plein air painting competition hosted in the town of Waxahachie about an hour south of Dallas. Basically, over the course of a few weeks, our assignment was to complete paintings on location anywhere in the city limits. Filled with beautiful historic homes, I was attracted to the detailed craftsmanship and architecture. Each homeowner had taken great care in decorating their porches and yards to create a warm welcome, and I wanted to capture that beauty and pride in my paintings.

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 architectural paintings.

New “Pretty in Pink” Victorian Home Painting by Dallas Artist Niki Gulley

August 29, 2023

9″ x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

For a brand new challenge this spring, I registered for Paint Historic Waxahachie, a plein air painting competition hosted in the town of Waxahachie about an hour south of Dallas. Basically, over the course of a few weeks, our assignment was to complete paintings on location anywhere in the city limits. Filled with beautiful homes built in the late 1800s, I was attracted to the detailed craftsmanship and historic architecture. Each homeowner had taken great care in decorating their porches and yards to create a warm welcome, and I wanted to capture that beauty and pride in my paintings.

Here you can see this beautiful pink Victorian surrounded by more beautiful rose and scarlet blooms. I loved the play of complimentary colors, even down to the green detailing and scrollwork on the house.

For more information on my textured palette knife oil paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

Or, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

Texas Artist Niki Gulley Painting Spring Wildflowers

August 28, 2023

12″ x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

This spring I was invited to paint on this beautiful ranch south of Dallas. I loved the contrast of the red barn doors against the sea of blue wildflowers and the azure skies above. Full of texture and character, I wanted to capture its essence on that beautiful spring day. While the air was still crisp, the sun was warming the ground, causing the foreground to glow and welcoming in spring.

For more information on my textured palette knife oil paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

Or, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

“Rural Blues” Bluebonnet Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

August 25, 2023

10″ x 20″ textured mixed media painting on canvas

On our drive through Ennis this spring, the bluebonnets were so full and thick along Sugar Bush ridge. So, I set up my easel to capture this beautiful, peaceful view. I loved how the undulating hills, tree lines in the distance and wildflowers in the foreground all repeated similar shapes and wave-like patterns adding to the feeling of symmetry and serenity. I hope you, too, can feel the joy and glory of springtime in Texas!

For more information on “Rural Blues,” please contact Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

Painting in the Texas Hill Country with Impressionist Niki Gulley

August 24, 2023

SOLD • 24″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

“For me, wildflowers are joy-giving. They have enriched my life and fed my soul and given beautiful memories to sustain me.”
– Lady Bird Johnson

Just Sold! Surrounded by a sea of blue – Scott captured me in my element here! Not only were the bluebonnets and wildflowers magnificent this year, but I just adore the live oaks, too. Their massive stature, their gnarly, twisting branches and the umbrella of shade they cast, just make me want to paint them over and over again. Leaving bluebonnets large and prominent in the foreground, rows and rows of cobalt lift your spirits and lead you back to the shelter of the grand old oak. I hope you, too, can enjoy the beauty of Texas in all of its spring glory.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured palette knife landscape paintings.

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

New Bluebonnet Painting from the Texas Hill Country by Niki Gulley

August 23, 2023

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

I painted these Texas bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush on location with extremely thick paint and palette knives to achieve depth and texture. It turns out the barn was built by the homeowner, and I was so taken with its beautiful craftsmanship. I chose a vertical composition so that the wildflowers in the foreground would draw your eye straight to its character and status. Leaving out extraneous background details also reinforces that feeling.

The resulting image comes to life and is loaded with color and energy. In this wildflower series, I’ve painted the edges of the 1 and 1/2 inch deep stretcher bars with the scene continuing around the sides so that it can be hung without a frame, or I have the option of an espresso floater frame which draws your attention into the painting.

To see more of Niki Gulley’s textured landscape paintings please check out NikiGulley.com,

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on this piece, or more her Texas bluebonnet and wildflower paintings.

Painting Poppy Fields in Tuscany with Niki Gulley

August 22, 2023

12″ x 16″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

This beautiful poppy scene was inspired by the view out our window in Tuscany! The vibrant red carpet filled fields lifted our spirits every time we gazed outside, and I had to paint this one from our room. Cypress trees framed the scene and the constantly changing light cast dramatic shadows on the distant mountains and villa while billowing clouds drifted by. I hope this one transports you to this happy place and takes all of your worries with it!

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my poppy and wildflower field paintings.

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

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If you’d like to join us on one of our Euorpean Art Treks and learn to paint or photograph, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org for more information.

Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley Paints the Tuscan Countryside

August 21, 2023

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Cypress trees, tile-roofed stone farmhouses and undulating hills filled with grapevines and olive trees, signal that you have landed in Tuscany! Filled with energetic, thick palette knife strokes and uplifting colors, “Afternoon Arrival,” welcomes you to your new home away from home.

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Next summer we will be leading a Foodie Trek to Spain and Tuscany, and an Art Trek to Iceland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! Details are available on ArtTreks.org.

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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my impressionistic palette knife paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary Italy and European paintings.

New “Golden Undulation” Textured Painting by Niki Gulley from Tuscany

August 18, 2023

10″ x 20″ Textured Acrylic Painting on Canvas Panel

My husband and I stumbled upon this quintessential Tuscan farmhouse while out for a scenic drive this spring. Perched alone on top of this hill, we loved how the incredibly long cypress lined driveway was silhouetted by the sky. The soft light caused the hills to glow the most intense golden chartreuse, and I felt compelled to capture the beautiful scene. Unfortunately that meant I had to set up my easel alongside a rather busy road. Undeterred by the constant parade of racing traffic and horn honking semi trucks, I quickly got to work in order to paint these gorgeous clouds and light before they were gone.

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