June 2013

Last Day, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 28, 2013

Day 7 – Greece Art Trek: Santorini

9″ x 12″ oil painting by Niki Gulley • “Cocktail in Paradise”

On our last afternoon, the sun came out and it and everyone had free time to do whatever they pleased. Some folks shopped, some relaxed by the pool, others continued photographing, and I couldn’t miss one last opportunity to paint our gorgeous Santorini view. Everyone had a lovely, rejuvenating afternoon!

Later that day we all gathered to share what we had painted and photographed during the trip, and sample some of the local wines and cheeses while we discussed the art. To cap off the day, we treated ourselves to a delicious seafood dinner with another gorgeous view of the ocean, catching up with new friends and savoring our last night. A perfect ending to a perfect trip!

Critique / Show and Tell

Dinner with an amazing view on our last night.

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Paris and Provence, France so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing during lavender and sunflower season in France, and following in the footsteps of Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne, please join us for this amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Greece Art Trek with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley and European Photographer Scott Williams

June 26, 2013

Day 6 – Greece Art Trek: Fira and Wineries

12″ x 9″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the sixth day of our Greece Art Trek, the sky darkened and the winds picked up so we decided to paint in a more sheltered spot. So setting up on our balcony, we chose to paint a vignette of the white-washed stucco and simple architectural lines and curves. At a couple of points, we even got some soft sunlight to give our subject subtle highlights and shadows, which we painted quickly as the light was quite fleeting.

That afternoon, we weren’t about to let the drizzle spoil our day so we made the most of the the situation and went wine tasting! One of the local wineries overlooked the caldera, so we not only sampled some delicious Greek wines and munchies but also with the rain letting up, took in another amazing view.

Wine tasting on Santorini.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionistic paintings.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Greece Plein-Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 24, 2013

Day 5 – Greece Art Trek: Oia and Sunset Cruise

10″ x 8″ oil painting by Niki Gulley • SOLD

On day 5, we chose to paint this iconic view of Santorini with the white orthodox church crowned by its blue dome, overlooking the ocean. So the photographers dropped us off, as they continued back to Oia to shoot some more. While the scenery seemed simple, it proved challenging to paint the round dome on top of a hexagon base, and the three men removing the bells from the tower kept interrupting our scene (which we chose not to paint into the composition), but overall it was a beautiful morning and we were pretty happy with the results!

That afternoon we rode the cable cars to the port below and caught a boat cruise that ferried us across the bay and around the island at sunset. Stopping at the volcano, we hiked to the top, which was quite intriguing with its sci-fi type lava rock. Next we stopped at a hot spring for anyone who wanted to swim. And, finally we cruised around the island enjoying the view from the water, sipping some Greek wines and nibbling on some local meats and cheeses. A great end to the day!

On top of the volcano with Santorini in the background.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Painting and Photographing Sunset in Santorini with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 21, 2013

Day 4, Evening – Greece Art Trek: Oia, Santorini

7″ x 5″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

That evening the photographers joined us out at the lookout point to photograph sunset, so we decided to continue painting. Since we only had about 15 minutes to capture the actual sun setting, we had to sketch the scene in advance, anticipate how the light might look, and pre-mix our golden colors. Then as the sun was dropping, we quickly had to paint those warm reflected lights on the buildings and the water and the golden glow in the sky. While challenging, it was a lot of fun and such a beautiful setting to paint! Capping the evening off, we had a delicious dinner in town at the most picturesque garden restaurant and relived the highlights of the day.

Our photographers staking out their spots to shoot sunset.

Dinner that night.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Plein Air Painting and Photographing in Santorini, Greece with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 19, 2013

Day 4, Afternoon – Greece Art Trek: Oia, Santorini

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

With so much beautiful scenery, it was hard to decide on a subject, but a couple of the painters chose this iconic view of the windmills and bleached architecture contrasted against the cobalt blue skies and waters below. Meanwhile the photographers climbed every nook and cranny in town in search for the perfect shot, and others chose to shop or relax with a snack, soaking in the gorgeous view over the caldera.

One of my student’s easels with their completed painting overlooking Oia in the background.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Day 4, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 17, 2013

Day 4, Greece Art Trek: Oia, Santorini

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley • SOLD

On the fourth day of our Greece Art Trek, we headed to the other end of the island, to the beautiful city of Oia. The painters chose to set up our easels by the lookout point at the edge of town, with some painting the windmills and skyline to our left while I chose this sprawling view of the city on the right. With a far more complicated scene, we had to allow a full afternoon and evening to capture the view. After so much white and blue architecture, I loved how several of the buildings were painted oranges, yellows and pinks contrasting agains the stark alabaster.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionistic paintings.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Day 3, Plein-Air Painting and Photography Art Trek in Santorini, Greece

June 14, 2013

Day 3, Greece Art Trek: Santorini

12″ x 9″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the third day of our Greece Art Trek, we flew to Santorini and gawked at the amazing view from our hotel overlooking the caldera. Our painters set up their easels right there since the scenery was so beautiful, while the photographers toured through town, shooting the white washed architecture and fantastic views of the ocean below. I chose this vantage of the potted succulent set against the vivid blue water and white stucco balcony. With several clouds in the sky, everything had a nice soft light that created subtle shadows, intense colors and a cool breeze, making it such a pleasant day to paint.

Taking a little time out to enjoy the view and sample the Greek wines, which are quite tasty!

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Day 1, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 12, 2013

Day 1, Greece Art Trek: The Acropolis, Athens9″ x 12″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

On day one and two of our plein air painting and photography workshop in Greece, we landed in Athens and visited the Acropolis along with several other ancient sites. It was truly awe inspiring to see a part of history from the fifth century BC and to imagine what life must have been like as democracy was beginning. In the afternoon, us painters set up our easels on top of the beautiful balcony view from our hotel to paint the Parthenon while the photographers continued touring the city. In this oil painting, I wanted to capture a sense of scale with the Acropolis, and suggest how it rises above the city on this massive mound, towering majestically over the city, kissed by the clouds above.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

New Lavender Oil Painting from Provence

June 10, 2013

24” x 24” textured oil painting on gallery wrap canvas

This lavender scene was inspired by our trip to Provence last year, and our fond memories of driving through the peaceful countryside, exploring quaint villages, and savoring the delicious provencal flavors. When we came across this lavender field, the violet rows were so vibrant and fragrant, that I just had to paint the gorgeous setting. I was intrigued by how the majestic flowers were planted in such a way so as to lead your eye right to this one lone tree emerging from the purple expanse, and I had fun playing with the complimentary colors of the soil, crops and background to create energy and contrast.

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Provence, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing during lavender and sunflower season in France, please join us for this amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

For more information on “Bountiful Aromas,” please contact my gallery at goodartcompany.com/gac/.

E-mail – Niki Gulley.

Wells Street Art Festival in downtown Chicago this Weekend

June 8, 2013

36″ x 48″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

With “Colorful Transformation,” I wanted to focus on brilliant color and simple shapes to see if I could communicate the excitement I feel when surrounded by nature. Using energetic diagonal strokes and thick, textured paint, I hope you get a sense of the motion in the leaves and the power of nature to invigorate your spirit. I just love how this piece captured that essence!

If you would like to see “Colorful Transformation” and more of my textured oil paintings in person, please stop by my booth at the Wells Street Art Fair in downtown Chicago this weekend.

Wells Street Art Fair

June 8th and 9th • 10am – 8pm

Chicago, IL • on N. Wells St.,

Booth #308 on N. Wells St.,

between Goethe and Division

chicagoevents.com/event.cfm?eid=141

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

For more information on palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.