Iceland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

“Falling Water III”, Iceland ©2023 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting

 

Iceland Art Trek: Day 1 – Seljalandsfoss

 

For our next Iceland adventure, you guessed it – we visited another waterfall! This one is so magical and unique since you can walk behind the falls and peer out the cave as the water rushes from above crashing into the reservoir below. I set out to capture the gorgeous falls with all of their power and glory. Trying to find a dry enough place to paint where the mist wouldn’t keep erasing my drawing was a challenge, but on my third try, I finally found a good spot! Trying to time it so that I could capture the sun as it was setting in the distance just added to the enchanting feel of this location. I hope you, too, can feel these cascades power and beauty.

 
If you’d like to purchase “Falling Water III,” please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/falling-water-iii/.
 

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 a workshop in Iceland August of 2023, please let us know. 
 
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
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To purchase “Falling Water,” go to https://www.nikigulley.com/falling-water-ii-2/.

Iceland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

       

“Falling Water III” ©2023 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9” textured oil painting
 
Iceland Art Trek: Day 2 – Kvernofoss

 

Next up on our Iceland itinerary was visiting another waterfall. My husband and I love waterfalls, and it feels like Iceland has one even better than the next around every bend! So, needless to say we were pretty happy painting and photographing all of the falls the country had to offer. This cascade that we visited today is smaller in stature but no less impressive. It tumbles down over the rocky mountain and empties into a river carving its way through the lush, craggy valley below. I wanted to capture not only the falls, but the water’s path as it flows and snakes its way around the towering rock formations. Other than the midges that would swarm when the sun came out, it was a perfect afternoon! 

 

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 a workshop in Iceland August of 2023, 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/

 

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.
 
 

 

 

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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.
 
***

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

 

“Breaking Through” White Rock Lake Painting by Dallas Artist Niki Gulley

  

“Breaking Through,” White Rock Lake ©2022 Niki Gulley
24″ x 18″ textured oil painting
 
On a peaceful spring morning, I set up my easel at White Rock Lake to capture the sun rising behind this beautiful, tangled Cottonwood. I liked how the warm light accentuated the tree’s curves and textured bark, and I chose this vertical composition to show off its size and strength. In the distance, the light starts to break through the clouds,  causing  the water’s surface to glisten and illuminating the landscape. I hope this scene gives you a sense of peace and lifts your spirits for what the day has to bring.
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
E-mail – Niki Gulley
 
To purchase “Breaking Through” and see framing options, check out nikigulley.com/breaking-through/.

 

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

“Along the Shoreline” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

  

“Along the Shoreline” ©2023 Niki Gulley
14″ x 18” textured oil painting on canvas

Early on a fall morning the sun breaks softly through leafy branches and casts early autumn’s palette across the creek. Silent water is ruffled by a gentle breeze. Arching over, bending into the quiet waters, a tree arches into the scene – encompassing, embracing. This painting captures the dreamy reflections and tranquil landscape of one of my favorite spots to paint on location near my home. It is painted in the traditional plein air oil manner, incorporating some heavy texture with palette knife.

To purchase “Breaking Through”, please visit nikigulley.com/breaking-through/.
 
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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings. 
 
See NikiGulley.com to view her textured palette knife oil paintings.
 
 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 

Painting Godafoss Waterfall with Niki Gulley – Iceland Art Trek

“Cascades III” ©2022 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel
To purchase, visit nikigulley.com/cascades-iii/.
 

 

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 5 – Godafoss

 

This evening we arrived in time to witness sunset over the massive Godafoss falls at the top of The Golden Circle. I set out to capture these gorgeous falls with all of their power and glory. Using diagonal strokes to capture the energy and strength of the cascades, I also wanted to show the mountains they were tumbling over as the water gushed and tumbled. Dramatic sunset clouds drift by, adding to the rhythm and emotion of this special place.The colors were so beautiful in the sky and created a rainbow of reflected colors in the cascading water. Sketching out my composition and squeezing out my colors ahead of time helped me be able to capture this fleeting moment. I hope you can hear the surging water and feel the joy of this magical place.
 
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 
 
 
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If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. We’ll be returning to Iceland in August of 2024!
 
 
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
 

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

“Cascades” from Iceland by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

 

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

 

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 4 – Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon
 

 

 

On Day 4 of our Iceland Art Trek, Scott drove the photographers to visit the glacier lagoons. Meanwhile, I stayed back and painted on the beautiful grounds of our hotel. The waterfalls in Iceland are incredible and practically around every turn – crashing through cliffs, splashing over rocks, bubbling downstream and trickling out to sea. This one was actually next to our hotel and screamed that I had to capture it! I chose to paint this scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes to convey the movement and energy of the rushing water and the texture in the cliffs and rocks. Also, adding to the joy of the moment, summer’s last lupines dot the landscape with brilliant hues of blues.
 

 

 
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/

“Ross Castle” from Killarney, Ireland by Niki Gulley

 

 

“Ross Castle” ©2022 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

 

Day 7:  Ireland ART TREK
Afternoon location: Ross Castle, Killarney
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
On the last afternoon of our Ireland Art Trek, we visited Ross Castle. While the photographers explored the castle and grounds, the painters set up their easels to capture this majestic view of the castle and lake. With the possibility of rain approaching, the clouds were moving so fast that only a tiny patch of blue sky peeked through and we had to paint quickly. Afterwards, we enjoyed a peaceful boat tour of the lake and came back to our home base, to share our photos and paintings of our trip. What a great way to end a wonderful Art Trek with new friends
 
If you’re interested in purchasing this painting, just follow this link  https://www.nikigulley.com/ross-castle/.
 

 

Painting at Ross Castle.
 
Finishing up our Art Trek by sharing our paintings and photographs from the trip.
 
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If you’re interested in learning more about our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
 
 

 

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

 

“Acropolis” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Acropolis,” Athens, Greece ©2022 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ oil painting on panel

 

On the first full day of our plein air painting and photography workshop in Greece, we visited the Acropolis in Athens 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, the painters set up their easels on top of the balcony at our hotel to paint this beautiful view of 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.

 
If you’re interested in purchasing this painting, follow this link https://www.nikigulley.com/acropolis/.

 

Breakfast from the terrace of our hotel. What a view of the Acropolis!

 

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If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

 

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

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

“Flying High” Palette Knife Painting from New Orleans by Niki Gulley

          

 
“Flying High,” New Orleans  ©2022 Niki Gulley • 12″ x 9″ palette knife oil painting
 
New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2, Afternoon Location: The French Quarter
 
This was one of those quaint corridors that was just bursting with vibrant colors in the French Quarter. It was hard to decide what to paint, with all of the picturesque cafes and stores lining the walk. What really caught my eye though, were all of bright flags flapping in the afternoon breeze. 
 
If you’re interested in purchasing this painting, just follow this link https://www.nikigulley.com/flying-high/.
 

 

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

 

 

 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 

***

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