Artists Of Texas Contemporary Paintings and Art

 *** "Falling Water II", Skógafoss, Iceland ©2022 Niki Gulley 12" x 16” textured oil painting Iceland Art Trek: Day 1 - Skogafoss First stop on our Iceland Art Trek this year was the Skogafoss waterfall. Surrounded by lush grassy mountains, this cascade surges downward with such force and power! Today I set up my easel to capture the energy and flow of the water. Creating strokes in diagonal sweeping shapes to enhance that feeling of movement and rhythm, I hope you, too, can hear the flowing water's music and feel the gentle spray from its mist. To purchase "Falling Water," go to  https://www.nikigulley.com/falling-water-ii-2/. 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 our upcoming Art Treks to Iceland in 2024 or for a Foodie Trek, please let us know.  Spaces fill up quickly!  Check ou...

  "Woodland Stroll" ©2022 Niki Gulley 10" x 20” textured oil painting Today we continued our counterclockwise adventure around Iceland to arrive in the north, near the massive, impressive Godafoss waterfall. Unfortunately, our weather turned for the worse, and it was way too wet to paint the falls. However, just over the mountain, 20 minutes away at our b and b, the skies were fairly clear with even occasional glimpses of sunshine. I loved these birch trees all over their property, leading you down to the gorgeous view of the mountains in the distance. Sprinkled with summer wildflowers, I set out to capture the light casting long shadows from the trunks and causing the grasses to glow in the foreground, leading to a feeling of joy and serenity in this beautiful spot. Close up texture detail of Woodland Stroll:  *** 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! Al...

"The Black Church II," Iceland ©2021 Niki Gulley SOLD  • 6" x 8” textured oil painting Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams Day 8 - Snaefellsnes Peninsula Just sold!  W e continued our Art Treks adventure around the country to the west, finishing our trip on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The last stop on our itinerary was to visit the famous Black Church. Being the only church made of black construction material on the island, its distinctive appearance stands out rising out of a relatively large, flat plateau. I wanted to capture not only its color and shape, but the dramatic clouds surrounding it. Working with palette knife and thick oil paint, this little piece is loaded with texture, color and movement.  To treat ourselves at the end of the trip, we went to one of the few Michelin restaurants on the island and had the most delicious, fresh meal with newfound friends. None of us were ready for the trip to en...

“Golden Light" ©2021 Niki Gulley 9" x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams Day 8 - Kirkjufellsfoss We completed our Iceland Art Trek that we taught on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, with its dramatic scenery and other worldly feel.  First we stopped at Kirkjufell, the cone shaped “church” mountain and its waterfall on the north side of the peninsula, and also the most photographed spot in Iceland. Truly unique in its appearance, this lush conical mass rises from the earth, towering over the flat terrain around it. Sunlight caused the grasses and sky to glow, and I wanted to capture not only the unique, bizarreness of this “Church Mountain,” but also the peaceful river carving its way in front of it reaching out to the sea. Choosing a multi-colored palette adds to the joy and energy of this magical spot.   To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings,...

         "Rural View II" ©2021 Niki Gulley 9" x 12” textured oil painting Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams Day 7 - Thingvellir National Park / Stykkisholmur On the seventh day of our Iceland Painting and Photography Workshop we led, we stopped by one of the major attractions in Iceland, Thingvellir National Park. One of the highlights is when our group got to “see” where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. After hiking around the park, we ventured onto our last hotel along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula.  I was taken by their simplistic architecture, often topped with bright red roofs to add a pop of color to the natural landscape. I chose this barn and set out to capture its shape, the colors and light hitting the structure, and the picturesque, idyllic, quiet scenery surrounding the building in all directions. I was drawn to the complimentar...

        “Liquid Rush" ©2021 Niki Gulley SOLD  • 9" x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams Day 6 - Geysir and Waterfalls on the Golden Circle That afternoon, we stopped by the Geysir for the photographers to capture the thermal explosion of water and steam, which explodes about every 5 minutes. So much fun to watch! After that, we finished the day with - you guessed it! One more waterfall. Slightly off the beaten path, these cascades rush over rocky cliffs to empty into this massive river valley that will eventually flow out to sea. A great way to end the day. 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'd like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.  Alsa...

       “Cascades IV" ©2021 Niki Gulley 8" x 6” textured oil painting on canvas panel Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams Day 6 - The Golden Circle On the sixth day of our Iceland Art Trek, we toured several scenes along the Golden Circle drive, north of Reykavik. In the morning, we hiked back to these beautiful falls that empty into this gorgeous pool of turquoise churning water. While the payoff is definitely worth the hour-long hike, I was really glad I lightened my gear to just a canvas, carrier, 4 paints and a palette knife and ditched the heavy easel and tripod. Balancing my canvas on my lap, I was pleased with the results and really enjoyed the peaceful falls. Now we just had to hike back out! 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'd like to jo...

      “Cascades III" ©2021 Niki Gulley 9" x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams Day 5 - Godafoss That evening we arrived in time to witness sunset over the massive Godafoss falls at the top of The Golden Circle. The colors were so beautiful in the sky and created a rainbow of reflected colors in the cascading water. Sketching out my composition and squeezing out my colors ahead of time helped me be able to capture this fleeting moment. I hope you can hear the surging water and feel the joy of this magical place. 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'd like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.  Alsace, France - Aug. 2022 Tuscany Foodie Trek - Oct. 2022 For more information on upc...

     "Heathered Hills" ©2021 Niki Gulley SOLD  • 8" x 6” textured oil painting on canvas panel Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams Day 5 - Driving through Iceland’s Beautiful Countryside Just Sold!  The next morning, we loaded everyone back up in the van to continue our gorgeous tour of Iceland during our Art Trek we led in August. This summer the wildflowers dotting the roadsides were beautiful. From the soft pinks of Heather to the bold blues of the Lupines to cheerful pops of gold, I just had to capture their joy and color.  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'd like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.  Alsace, France - Aug. 2022 Tuscany Foodie Trek - Oct. 2022 For more information on upcoming Art T...

   "Cascades II" ©2021 Niki Gulley SOLD • 8" x 6” textured oil painting on canvas panel Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams Day 4 - Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon Just Sold!  Later that day, while Scott and the photographers were photographing the glacier lagoons, I continued painting the beautiful waterfall on our hotel's grounds. Pulling in tight on this one just to focus on the rush of the water and the textures of the rocks, I hope you feel the power of nature to invigorate and lift one's spirits! 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'd like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.  Alsace, France - Aug. 2022 Tuscany Foodie Trek - Oct. 2022 For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit  http://www.ArtTreks....

  "Cascades" ©2021 Niki Gulley 12" x 9” textured oil painting on canvas panel Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams Day 4 - Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon On Day 4 of our Iceland Art Trek, Scott drove the photographers to visit the glacier lagoons. Meanwhile, I stayed back and painted on the beautiful grounds of our hotel. T he waterfalls in Iceland are incredible and practically around every turn – crashing through cliffs, splashing over rocks, bubbling downstream and trickling out to sea. This one was actually next to our hotel and screamed that I had to capture it! I chose to paint this scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes to convey the movement and energy of the  rushing  water and the texture in the cliffs and rocks. Also, adding to the joy of the moment, summer's last lupines dot the landscape with brilliant hues of blues. To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit  ni...

"Ice Drift" ©2021 Niki Gulley 9" x 12” textured oil painting Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams Day 3 - Vatnajokull National Park / Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon The next morning, we stopped by to photograph more puffins on our way out of town. Because you can never have enough puffin watching! Then we gathered up our merry band of trekkers and headed further east to the Vatnjokull National Park. Here we had several hours to hike and photograph the exotic scenery and another amazing waterfall before our final drive to our hotel located near the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon. 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'd like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.  Alsace, France - Aug. 2022 Tuscany Foodie Trek - Oct. 2022 For more information...