"Natural Textures," New Aspen tree painting by Niki Gulley

"Natural Textures" ©2012 Niki Gulley

24" x 24" textured oil painting 

     In this painting I wanted the focus to be on texture. Usually I paint with a lot of color, but I opted to use a limited palette on this piece to really concentrate on the peeling bark of the birch trees. Choosing to come in extremely close on the subject, I played around with various palette knife strokes, moving around extremely thick paint to add depth. And, of course I at the end, I had to throw in a few of my signature strokes of color – a splash of gold, some touches of lavender, and just a dab of red for added excitement and unexpected color twists. 

     Natural Textures can be hung alone or with its companion piece, Natural Textures II.

If you would like to see "Natural Textures" and more of my textured birch and aspen tree paintings, please stop by my booth at the Lincoln Park Art and Music Festival this weekend.

Lincoln Park Art and Music Festival
July 7 and 8 • noon – 8 pm
Chicago, IL
Booth #90 • on Racine between Fullerton and Webster
chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=189

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