Artists Of Texas Contemporary Paintings and Art

"Lucky's Cafe," Dallas, Texas  ©  2017 Niki Gulley SOLD •  11" x 14" oil painting Just Sold!  Friends sit and gaze at the mass of beauty and indecision that is the menu. The fear of missing out on any number of delectable dishes makes it nearly impossible to chose. Their eyes waver between the menu in their hands and the massive chalk board that dominates the far wall. Mom's meatloaf? Good Luck Reuben? And who could pass up the Sleaziest, Cheesiest, Grilled Cheese in Town? But, then, it is found: Chicken Fried Steak, a delicious staple of home-style comfort food. Every once and a while, it's nice to share a little home-town spirit. Coming from Dallas, I thought it would be nice to capture a local favorite, Lucky's Cafe, on Oaklawn Ave. Even outside, you can feel the energy that emanates from within and cuts through the heavy blanket of night.  E-mail me at  Niki@NikiGulley.com  for more information about my contemporary impression...

Blind Light, Dallas West End - pastel - 12" x 18" ©  Niki Gulley Another one of my adventures to the Dallas West End brought me to  this scene.  The light patterns and the lone guy walking away drew me in.  I really like the way the colors fade in the distance.  The leading lines put you right on the street. E-mail me at  Niki@NikiGulley.com  for more information about "Blind Light" *** Please visit my website at  NikiGulley.com    to see more of my pastels and oil paintings of contemporary art.  Or plan to attend this upcoming tour: White Rock Artists Studio Tour Sat. Oct. 11 • 10am – 5pm Sun. Oct. 12 • 10am – 5pm WhiteRockArtists.com

"Shift Change, Dallas West End - Pastel 12"X18" © Niki Gulley Lights glitter from their hiding places, nestled among the branches, mimicking the gleam of the stars high overhead. The wait staff gather outside, savoring the cool air, their work for the day done. Having left the fast paced world inside of Landry's, they take a moment, and a breath, unwinding with a chat.   The pastels in this piece help the light bleed into the dark, capturing well the inviting warmth of Landry's Seafood. In this scene we get to a changing of the guard, one no less important than any other. The lines guide you in, much like the pedestrians wandering into the scene. E-mail me at  Niki@NikiGulley.com  for more information about "Shift Change". *** Please visit my website at  NikiGulley.com    to see more of my pastels and oil paintings of contemporary art.   Or plan to attend this upcoming tour: White Rock Artists Studio Tour...

"Lucky's Cafe" Dallas, TX - pastel  12"X18" ©  Niki Gulley Friends sit and gaze at the mass of beauty and indecision that is the menu. The fear of missing out on any number of delectable dishes makes it nearly impossible to chose. Their eyes waver between the menu in their hands and the massive chalk board that dominates the far wall. Mom's meatloaf? Good Luck Reuben? And who could pass up the Sleaziest, Cheesiest, Grilled Cheese in Town? But, then, it is found: Chicken Fried Steak, a delicious staple of home-style comfort food. Every once and a while, it's nice to share a little home-town spirit. Coming from Dallas, I thought it would be nice to capture a local favorite, Lucky's Cafe, on Oaklawn Ave. Even outside, you can feel the energy that emanates from within and cuts through the heavy blanket of night.  The pastels in this piece help to bring out the warmth and light that fills every corner of this treasure of Dallas.  A very quaint...

Dining al Fresco, Venice - 12"X18" Pastel  © 2014 Niki Gulley A warm evening breeze stirs, caressing your face as you dine. The sights and sounds of Venice mingle before your eyes, an unfolding opera of color and light. A couple strolls, enamored with the beauty that envelopes them, drawn into the Italian night, hand in hand. The love between them is nearly palpable, and as they pass you by, you feel it radiate off of them, just as the light spreads itself against the encroaching night. The soft touch of the pastels help to capture the calm evening. Venice is filled with the romance and this scene really resonated with me. The warm palette gives one a feeling of calm, a comforting touch, as if by a summer breeze.  *** If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our  P lein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek  to  Venice during Carnivalé, Feb. 7-14, 2015 ....

Dining al Fresco, Venice - 12"X18" Pastel  © 2014 Niki Gulley Nothing like dining al fresco in Venice, Italy.  Vibrant colors, dim lighting, couples are taken in by their surroundings.  The romance is undeniable.   The pastels flow ever so softly capturing the ambiance.  Venice is known for its romance and I really liked this particular scene.  The lighting draws you in and puts you right there with them. *** If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our  P lein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek  to  Venice during Carnivalé, Feb. 7-14, 2015 . We'd love to have you join us! E-mail  Niki Gulley  for more information or go to  nikigulley.com/artreks  for more details on France, Greece, or our Italy Art Treks. For more information on "Dining al Fresco," please e-mail Niki Gulley  n...

“A Pause in Time” Venice, Italy ©2012 Niki Gulley 18” x 24” pastel Mysterious, enchanted, dreamlike – Venice is a fairytale at night. Evening has drawn its starry cloak over the city, the crowds and pigeons are gone and three women enjoy the evening at a café in Piazza San Marco. This changeling city, this artist’s muse now is unhurried, relaxed and romantic and this one perfect moment in time is held in artful pastels, satiated colors –  rich velvet textures capture ebony/violet chairs that Peggy, Pollock or Cole Porter may have sat in, paintings of angels from old Venice and three modern women of today complete this delicate balance in a point of time. This piece won an award at the Southwest Pastel Society's 31st National Juried Show Exhibit. *** If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our P lein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek  to Veni...

“Bon Appetito” ©2014 Niki Gulley Pastel 24” x 36” On my first trip to Europe, my husband wanted to take me to Venice since it was one of his favorite cities, and I fell in love with almost everything about it. The timeless quality created by living on canals free of cars, the history in the architecture and even the cobbled walkways, the beauty of the scenery and the magical quality created by the light to name just a few of my favorite things. I love how food and meals play such an important role in Italian culture – a time to slow down and enjoy friendships while savoring the locally grown cuisine and wines over the course of the evening. In this pastel I wanted to communicate all of those joyful feelings in addition to capturing the energy and romance of the city at night. Bon Appetito! *** If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our  P lein Air Painting and Photography Art Tre...

“Bon Appetito” ©2012 Niki Gulley Pastel 24” x 36” On my first trip to Europe, my husband wanted to take me to Venice since it was one of his favorite cities, and I fell in love with almost everything about it. The timeless quality created by living on canals free of cars, the history in the architecture and even the cobbled walkways, the beauty of the scenery and the magical quality created by the light to name just a few of my favorite things. I love how food and meals play such an important role in Italian culture – a time to slow down and enjoy friendships while savoring the locally grown cuisine and wines over the course of the evening. In this pastel I wanted to communicate all of those joyful feelings in addition to capturing the energy and romance of the city at night. Bon Appetito! If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and my husband / travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our P lein Air Painting and Photography Art Tre...