“Colors of Colmar” Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Colors of Colmar” ©2023 Niki Gulley
12″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Painted on location in the Alsatian town of Colmar, France,  the scenery was inspiring everywhere you looked. Straight out of a postcard, practically every view is storybook picture perfect. Today I set up my easel amongst the Russian sage and Black-eyed Susans to capture their joy and energy with a sliver of the cross-timbered architecture in the distance to set the stage.  I hope you are transported to this beautiful, magical place!

 

 
Painting amongst the Russian sage and Black-eyed Susans
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

 

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

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

Portugal Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

    

“Atlantic Coastline” ©2022 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting
 
Portugal Art Trek: 
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Day 1 – Cascais

 

Once we finished researching our 2022 Art Trek to Alsace, France, we flew to Portugal to begin leading this summer’s Art Trek to our intrepid group. Our first afternoon was rather leisurely since most of our group was arriving from the United States and shaking off their jet lag. So once everyone checked into our oceanside hotel and took a short nap, we set out on a walking tour of our home base town, Cascais. The Atlantic Ocean hugs its coastline, and there is a great walking trail all along the city. Above, you can see how I wanted to capture the gorgeous rock formations and the beautiful colors in the ocean. 
 
After finishing taking in the beautiful scenery along the water, we wandered the maze of tiled streets throughout town, soaking in the architecture and energy, and finished the night with a delicious dinner of Portuguese tapas. A great way to start the trip!
 
View from our hotel
 
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

 

 

***
 
If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, including Portugal and Spain in 2024, please let us know. 
 
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
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https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

Last Day of Niki Gulley’s and Scott Williams’ Alsace Art Trek

        

©2022 Niki Gulley
12″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
Day 6, Alsace, France Art Trek: Colmar or Strasbourg
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

 

As always, this Art Trek flew by and it was already the last day. So, we decided that we had so much fun painting earlier in the week in Colmar, that we would revisit that beautiful spot and paint in another direction since the scenery was inspiring all around. Today I set up my easel amongst the Russian sage and Black-eyed Susans to capture their joy and energy with a sliver of the cross-timbered architecture in the distance to set the stage. Meanwhile below you can see some of my talented students’ paintings working in watercolor, pastel and acrylic.
 
Painting amongst the Russian sage and Black-eyed Susans
 
Students’ pastel, watercolors and acrylics

 

 
While we painted the rest of our group hopped a train to Strasbourg and toured the town, and others just enjoyed their last free day in Colmar. That night we gathered for one more delicious dinner, enjoying the company of new friends. What an amazing Trek!
 
 
Toasting to our last night!

 

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

 

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

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 
 

Painting and Photographing Alsace Wine Towns with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

       

©2022 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
Day 5, Alsace, France Art Trek: Ribeauvillé
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

 

After a relaxing day in Colmar, we ventured forth on day 5 to visit the next picturesque village on the Alsatian wine route, Ribeauvillé. My painters and I set up in this beautiful park to capture the surrounding beauty while the photographers went in search for the perfect shot and the tourists grabbed the train, which toured the area and gave them some history on the region. I loved all of these colorful planted flowers, so working more loosely and impressionistically today, I set out to capture the joy of the moment. 
 
 
Gardens in Ribeauvillé
 
 
After lunch, we then toured the Trimbach winery to learn about their wine-making process, and of course, sample some of their famous wines. Delicious!
 

 

 
Wine tasting with our group

 

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

 

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

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 
 

Painting Colmar with Niki Gulley – Alsace Art Trek 2022

      

©2022 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
Day 4, Alsace, France Art Trek: Colmar
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

Just Sold!  On the fourth day of our Alsace Art Trek, it was time to slow down the pace and enjoy our home-base town of Colmar.  This city is so enchanting, like something out of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, that it is hard to narrow down what to paint. I settled on this quiet area along the canals where my painters could sit and take in the beautiful views. Each student found their own unique scene to capture. Meanwhile I actually decided to paint my students sitting on this picturesque bench. Gary with his straw hat looked so dapper that I had to record the moment in acrylic!
 
 
While we painted, the photographers and tourists continued to explore every narrow alleyway, historical building and square, picturesque canal and French/German accents indicative of only the Alsatian region. Later that evening, we reconvened for a delicious dinner and to discuss stories from our day.
 
 
Photographers posing in Colmar – hard at work!
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

 

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

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

Plein Air Painting in France with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

     

“Sunny Refrain” ©2022 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting on canvas panel
 
Day 3, Alsace, France Art Trek: Konigsberg Castle and Riquewihr
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

By day 3, our group was over any jet-lag remnants and raring to go, so we packed the day with fun activities! First we explored Konigsberg Castle, a fortress from the Middle Ages that has been completely renovated to its former glory. Next, we visited the Medieval village of Riquewihr, surrounded by vineyards in every direction. After exploring all of the alleyways and shops and grabbing a gourmet lunch, it was time for some wine tasting. Alsace being known for its delicious white wines, we were not disappointed.
 
Later that day, we returned to Colmar to relax and enjoy another delicious dinner together with new friends while we discussed our adventures from the day.
 
 
Dinner in Colmar

 

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

 

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

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 
 

Painting and Photographing in France with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

    

©2022 Niki Gulley
7″ x 5″ textured acrylic painting on panel
 
Day 2, Alsace, France Art Trek: Eguisheim
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

After painting and photographing sunrise in Colmar, we headed to the next adorable village, Eguisheim. 
Known as one of the most beautiful villages in France, this town does not disappoint! Immaculate flower filled window boxes, a bustling town square and colorful architecture greets you in every direction. Us painters set up around the fountain in the main square to capture the spirit of the city while our photographers and tourists explored the rest of all the town had to offer.
 
Eguisheim photo by Scott Williams
 
Our Art Treks group in Eguisheim town square
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

 

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

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

New Colorful French Architecture Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

   

©2022 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
Day 2, Alsace, France Art Trek: Sunrise in Colmar
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

Just Sold! This morning I dragged my body and my painting gear in the darkness to set up at this picturesque view in downtown Colmar along with the photographers who got up to capture sunrise. As the sun started rising, it illuminated the buildings and cast its colorful glow along the river and the sky. I’m so glad I made the effort and got up in time to capture it, even if the rest of my painters decided to sleep in!
 
Sunrise in Colmar
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

 

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

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

Alsace, France Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

  

 ©2022 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
Day 1, Alsace, France Art Trek: Kaysersberg
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

For our first Art Trek of 2022, we led our group to the fairytale villages of Alsace, France. Located along the French/German border, each town is a visual paradise consisting of brightly colored cross-timbered houses and flower boxes overflowing with vibrant, cheerful blooms. The hardest part is narrowing down what to paint! 
 
On our first full day, we visited the picturesque town of Kaysersberg. Nestled on a peaceful river, this colorful village provided plenty of inspiration for our painters and photographers. We set up our easels to capture this waterfall and cross-timbered houses while the photographers and tourists explored the rest of town. Later that day, we returned to our home base town of Colmar, taking a leisurely boat ride through the canals and dined on an authentic Alsatian meal that evening. What a great way to start the trip!
 
Our painting view in Kaysersberg
 
Boat tour in Colmar

 

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

 

 

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

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

Portugal’s Gorgeous Coastline Painted by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Atlantic Coastline II” ©2020 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 12″ x 9″ textured oil painting on canvas panel
 
Portugal Art Trek: 
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Day 4 – Evening Boat Ride

 

After returning from Obidos, we treated ourselves to a relaxing boat cruise along Cascais’ rocky shoreline and surrounding cities. Mother nature didn’t disappoint and we were able to enjoy a gorgeous sunset as we sipped on some local Portuguese wines!
 
Above you’ll see my interpretation of the coastline. I wanted this painting to be about the power of the ocean to lift your spirits. I also wanted to capture the gorgeous rock formations and the beautiful colors in the ocean. Whenever I visit the coastline I always feel rejuvenated, and I hope I’ve translated that onto the canvas for you to experience it, too.
 
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

 

***
 
If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks, including one to Alsace, France next August or on our Foodie Trek to Tuscany, please let us know. 
 
 
 
Alsace, France – Aug. 2022
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022 (wait list only) / Oct. 2023
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.