Month: January 2019

Arriving in Lake Como, Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

January 30, 2019
Como Beauty ©2018 Niki Gulley • 8″ x 10″ Textured oil painting
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 5: Arriving in Varenna on Lake Como
 
Next up on our Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek, we drove to the peaceful town of Varenna at the northern end of Lake Como. Our hotel has the most amazing views of the lake and the colorful town below. It’s my idea of paradise!I love the mountainous scenery surrounding the lake, the unique architecture and the lush foliage that grows everywhere. Strolling along the shore, hopping from town to town on the ferry, and just relaxing on a balcony soaking in that amazing view, are some of the highlights visiting there. On this evening, I set up my easel to capture the soft pinks and yellows as the sun set in the distance over the peaceful village, filling the scene with a magical light.

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If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019
Iceland – 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

Visiting Vernazza, Italy with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

January 28, 2019
Vernazza ©2018 Niki Gulley • 5″ x 7″ Textured oil painting
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day3 – Vernazza
 
When we arrived in Vernazza, the photographers and tourists took off exploring the town and scenic overlooks above while the painters set up their easels near the harbor to capture the beautiful golden late afternoon light. Right after sunset, Scott took the photographers to shoot the dreamy blue light and glow of the city colors. I painted the small sunset below and the other painters went shopping. Later, we all met up for a delicious dinner of locally caught fish, pastas and regional wine. Full and happy, we rode the train back to Monterosso and crashed that evening after a fun-filled day.

Vernazza Sunset ©2018 Niki Gulley • 5″ x 7″ Textured oil painting
 
“Safe Harbor,” Vernazza ©2014 Scott Williams • photograph 
 
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019
Iceland – 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
 
 
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

Day 2, Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

January 25, 2019
“Painted Houses,” Riomaggiore ©2018 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ Textured oil painting
SOLD
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2, Morning Location: Riomaggiore
 
After a good night’s rest, we took the train that connects the five cities along the Italian coast to the southern most town of Riomaggiore. This morning the temperature was perfect, but we had more cloud cover with only occasional breaks of sunshine. Our painters set up our easels to capture this beautiful view of the colorful town and their ocean overlook while the photographers and tourists checked out the town and surroundings. 
 
That afternoon, everyone had free time and I decided to paint a small 5″ x 7″ of the harbor in the town we were staying at, Monterosso. It’s such a colorful, energetic setting!
 
 
 
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019
Iceland – 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
 
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

Day 1, Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

January 23, 2019
“Vino for Two” ©2018 Niki Gulley • 10″ x 8″ oil painting
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 1: Monterosso / the 5 Village Hike
 
We were greeted in Cinque Terre with gorgeous sunny weather, so the photographers and tourists headed out on our first morning on the 5 mile scenic hike high above, linking the five cities of the Cinque Terre, taking in breathtaking scenery along the way. With our paint gear, we opted to stay in Monterosso and capture this beautiful quiet courtyard, with its picturesque fountain and colorful tables. I love the courtyards in Italy – they are so warm and inviting, reminding us to relax and enjoy the moment rather than rushing onto the next thing on our list. Painted on location in Cinque Terre, Italy, I enjoyed hanging out here, taking in the sound of the fountain trickling, savoring the local red wine, and spending time conversing with my husband. I hope this painting reminds you of a similar special memory.
 
That evening we connected with the hikers and enjoyed a delicious dinner of fresh caught seafood, local pesto and pasta, and tasty Italian wine. A great end to a perfect first day!
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019
Iceland – 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

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

January 21, 2019
“Greek Puzzle” ©2018 Niki Gulley • 8″ x 10″ oil painting
SOLD
 
Day 4, Greece Art Trek:  Afternoon Location – Oia, Santorini

Just Sold! The painters chose to set up their easels by the lookout point at the edge of town, with some painting the windmills and skyline to our left and 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.

That evening we put down our brushes and let the photographers work on capturing the beautiful sunset, while we sat back and enjoyed the amazing view!

 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019
Iceland – 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

New “Serpentine Drive” in Tuscany by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

January 18, 2019
“Serpentine Drive” ©2019 Niki Gulley 
12″ x 16″ textured oil painting
 
Before we taught our Tuscany Foodie Trek, my husband and I spent a few days exploring the Tuscan countryside, painting and photographing the iconic scenery. “Serpentine Drive” illustrates one of the fascinating places we stopped with its mile long cypress lined drive. It felt like the trees snaked back and forth to infinity! Setting up my easel in late afternoon, I was able to capture the dramatic light as the setting sun illuminated the tops of the rolling hills and created long, dramatic shadows. Between the repetition of the vertical arbors and the horizontally flowing hills, the scene created a rhythmic harmony that added to the joy and serenity of the moment. 
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Foodie or Art Treks, please let us know.
 
Venice, Italy Carnival – Feb. 2019
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2019 – Only 1 Spot left!
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 
 

Visiting Montepulciano and Tuscan Wineries with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

January 16, 2019

“Montepulciano,” Morning Light ©2018 Niki Gulley 

12″ x 9″ textured oil painting • SOLD

Just sold! During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Perched atop a giant hill with beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards below, I set up my easel at this breathtaking overlook while the rest of our group visited wineries or took a cooking class with a local chef. 

After lunch, we visited a winery nearby to sample their Rossos, Vino Nobiles and the delicious sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo. Full from the local meats and cheeses and tasty red wines, we headed back to the villa for a quiet night of relaxing and soaking in the evening scenery.

If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Foodie or Art Treks, please let us know.

Venice, Italy Carnival – Feb. 2019

Scotland – Aug. 2019

Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2019 – Only 1 Spot left!

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

**********

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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