Month: November 2021

Portugal Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

November 16, 2021

   

“Atlantic Coastline” ©2021 Niki Gulley
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.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my France painting series.

 

 

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

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

 

Palette Knife Painting of Colmar, France by Niki Gulley

November 15, 2021

  

“Fairytale Setting II” ©2021 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting on canvas panel

 

Can you really get sick of painting gorgeous fairytale views? Definitely not! We only had one more day in Colmar for me to once again try and capture its beauty. Fortunately, I did not have to get up before sunrise to capture this one and it was a shorter walk from our hotel, but I found the scene just as enchanting. I hope you, too, art transported to this picturesque, uplifting location.

 

To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my France painting series.

 

 

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

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

 

Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley Painting in France

November 12, 2021

 

“Fairytale Setting II” ©2021 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting on canvas panel

 

I loved these views in Colmar so much that I just had to paint more of them. So once again, I was able to drag my body out of bed and carry my painting gear in the darkness to set up at this picturesque location in downtown Colmar. 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!
 

 

 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my France painting series.

 

 

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

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

 

Painting Sunflowers in France by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 11, 2021

 

“Sunny Refrain” ©2021 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting on canvas panel

 

Painted on location while we were visiting Alsace, France, these perky sunflowers added so much joy to the lush valley. Grapevines planted in repetitious, rhythmic rows ebb and flow over the gentle curving hills as they lead your eye to the old stone church in the distance and you can almost hear their bells ring out. While I began this one outside, you can see the dramatic clouds that started to roll in and and my luck ran out as the rain hit. Fortunately there was still a view undercover and I was able to finish it in the front seat of our rental car. Good thing I didn’t spill any paint!
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my France painting series.

 

 

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

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

 

New “Fairytale Setting” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 10, 2021

  

“Fairytale Setting” ©2021 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting on canvas panel

 

Next up on our journey was a visit 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! This morning I dragged my body and my painting gear in the darkness to set up at this picturesque view in downtown Colmar. 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!
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my France painting series.

 

 

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

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

 
 

New Eiffel Tower Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 9, 2021
“Paris in August” ©2021 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9″ textured oil painting on canvas panel

 

After completing the Art Trek we led in Iceland, we flew to Paris to soak in the sights and culture of the City of Light. This morning, I grabbed my paints and easel and headed to the park to capture the Eiffel Tower. With the flowers in full bloom and the landmark’s visitors buzzing with excitement, I wanted to capture the joy and energy in that moment. Setting up underneath this peaceful shade tree, I liked how it framed the architecture and created a window into this romantic world. 
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my France painting series.

 

 

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

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

 

Last Day of Iceland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

November 8, 2021

“The Black Church II,” Iceland ©2021 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 6″ x 8” textured oil painting
 
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 8 – Snaefellsnes Peninsula

 

 

Just sold! We continued our Art Treks adventure around the country to the west, finishing our trip on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The last stop on our itinerary was to visit the famous Black Church. Being the only church made of black construction material on the island, its distinctive appearance stands out rising out of a relatively large, flat plateau. I wanted to capture not only its color and shape, but the dramatic clouds surrounding it. Working with palette knife and thick oil paint, this little piece is loaded with texture, color and movement. 
 
To treat ourselves at the end of the trip, we went to one of the few Michelin restaurants on the island and had the most delicious, fresh meal with newfound friends. None of us were ready for the trip to end!
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

 

 

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

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

“Golden Light” Palette Knife Painting from Iceland by Niki Gulley

November 5, 2021

“Golden Light” ©2021 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 8 – Kirkjufellsfoss

 

We completed our Iceland Art Trek that we taught on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, with its dramatic scenery and other worldly feel. First we stopped at Kirkjufell, the cone shaped “church” mountain and its waterfall on the north side of the peninsula, and also the most photographed spot in Iceland. Truly unique in its appearance, this lush conical mass rises from the earth, towering over the flat terrain around it. Sunlight caused the grasses and sky to glow, and I wanted to capture not only the unique, bizarreness of this “Church Mountain,” but also the peaceful river carving its way in front of it reaching out to the sea. Choosing a multi-colored palette adds to the joy and energy of this magical spot. 

 

 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

 

 

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

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

Where Two Continents Collide on Art Treks Iceland Adventure

November 4, 2021

        

“Rural View II” ©2021 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 7 – Thingvellir National Park / Stykkisholmur

 

On the seventh day of our Iceland Painting and Photography Workshop we led, we stopped by one of the major attractions in Iceland, Thingvellir National Park. One of the highlights is when our group got to “see” where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
 
 
After hiking around the park, we ventured onto our last hotel along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. I was taken by their simplistic architecture, often topped with bright red roofs to add a pop of color to the natural landscape. I chose this barn and set out to capture its shape, the colors and light hitting the structure, and the picturesque, idyllic, quiet scenery surrounding the building in all directions. I was drawn to the complimentary color palette of orange/gold grasses contrasted against a beautiful blue sky reflecting into the pond behind the barn. Playing off those colors in the distant mountains, I wanted this piece to be full of texture, joy and energy. 
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

 

 

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

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

Touring the Golden Circle with Niki Gulley’s and Scott Williams’ Art Treks

November 3, 2021

       

“Liquid Rush” ©2021 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 9″ x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel
 

 

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 6 – Geysir and Waterfalls on the Golden Circle
 

 

That afternoon, we stopped by the Geysir for the photographers to capture the thermal explosion of water and steam, which explodes about every 5 minutes. So much fun to watch! After that, we finished the day with – you guessed it! One more waterfall. Slightly off the beaten path, these cascades rush over rocky cliffs to empty into this massive river valley that will eventually flow out to sea. A great way to end the day.

 

 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.
 
***
 
If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. 
 
 
 
Alsace, France – Aug. 2022
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
 

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