July 2023

Visiting Aix-en-Provence with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 31, 2023

Day 4, Provence Art Trek: Aix-en-Provence and Lavender Fields

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

Today we checked out of our hotel and headed to Provence’s cultural hub and Cezanne’s home, Aix-en-Provence. We visited its famous Cours Mirabeau boulevard, lined with cafés and plane trees, then onto the city’s bountiful produce and flower market, and finished at the impressive cathedral. Then, some of our group went onto tour Cezanne’s studio, while others shopped and dined.

By unanimous vote, we decided to leave Aix earlier than planned and take a detour to visit lavender fields on the way to our hotel. Everyone was dying to see those vibrant stretches of perfectly manicured purple rows, and the Provence countryside did not disappoint! After our Trekkers had reached their saturation point of aromatic beauty, we headed to our picturesque b and b, where we spent the rest of the trip. And, of course we completed the day with another delicious meal.

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her lavender, sunflower and poppy field paintings.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

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Next summer we will be leading a Foodie Trek to Spain and Tuscany, and an Art Trek to Iceland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! Details are available on ArtTreks.org.

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Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams, Day 3

July 28, 2023

Day 3, Provence Art Trek: Les Baux / Chateauneuf

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

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

On the third day of our Provence Art Trek, we visited the picturesque town of Les Baux, perched atop its rocky outcropping with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside below. Some folks visited the castle, galleries and shops while the painters set up in this quiet plaza capturing the unique stone residences, medieval cathedral or picturesque courtyard.

In the afternoon we went to one of the most renowned wine towns in the world and sampled some amazing Chateaunef du Pape wines.

Next year we will be leading a Foodie Trek to Spain in March and Tuscany in October, and in August we’ll be teaching an Art Trek in Iceland. So if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! Details available at http://www.arttreks.org.

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

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Visiting Arles with Artists Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 27, 2023

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Day 2, Afternoon Location: Arles

Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Recently we lead an Art Trek to Provence where we visited the ancient Roman city of Arles, and also where Van Gogh lived for 18 months. While retracing the famous artist’s footsteps, we got to experience his colorful vision of rather ordinary painting locations. Last stop on this impressionist’s tour, we chose to paint at the asylum where he stayed, creating our own versions of the lovely courtyard garden. What an amazing experience to feel his presence and channel our own inner Van Gogh!

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 26, 2023

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

Provence Art Trek – Painting and Photography Workshop

with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 1

On the first night of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in southern France, we arrived at our B and B and went into town that evening for an amazing dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant. The food was out of this world, the weather was perfect for dining outside, and our new group was great company!

The next morning, our painters stayed at our b and b and painted right there since the grounds were so beautiful. I loved how the typical Provencal trees framed the composition and I could get a real sense for Cezanne’s love of the landscape. Meanwhile, the photographers visited a nearby 11th century Abbey and took some incredible photographs. We met up later that day and headed to the nearby town of Arles for lunch.

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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

“Sunshine and Gladiolus” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 25, 2023

SOLD • 24″ x 12″ textured mixed media painting on canvas

Just sold! I saw these cheerful sunflowers and vibrant ruby red Gladiolus planted in my neighborhood every time I got in my car to ran errands and they were so bright and colorful, I just had to paint them! So this week, I dragged my body out of bed at 5 a.m. to capture them at sunrise before our Texas heat reached 100 degrees. While not normally an early riser, it was well worth it to bask in their glory while I was painting. I hope you, too, can enjoy their sunshine and start your day with a smile.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my sunflower and textured palette knife floral paintings.

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

New “Channeling Van Gogh” Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 24, 2023

Last fall I was deeply honored when the Dallas Museum of Art asked me to teach a plein air painting workshop in conjunction with their exhibit “Van Gogh and The Olive Groves.” I’ve always loved the impressionists so this was such a fun project! To be able to demonstrate and show the museum’s members how to channel their inner Van Gogh was a perfect match. Setting our easels up in the Arbor Hills Nature area in Plano, they each chose a tree and then experimented with color and mark making with the goal of conveying their feelings and impression of the scene. I chose this beauty for its grandeur and shape, causing my strokes to dance with energy and vibrancy, all in the spirit of Vincent!

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on palette knife landscape paintings.

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

Colorful Rose Garden Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 21, 2023

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

When we checked into our B and B in Tuscany this year, we were greeted by beautiful rose gardens surrounding the property. WOW! With such a plethora of gorgeous blooms, it was really hard to narrow down what to paint. Finally I landed on these crimson beauties with a peek at the Tuscan villa in the distance. I adore the cypress trees so indicative of Tuscany so I made sure to include them in the background. I also loved how this ancient twisted vine hugged the scene, creating an organic window of the view beyond. Filled with joy and color, I hope you are transported to this serene escape.

For details on more of my Tuscany or rose garden paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

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

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

New “Radiating Aromas” Lavender Field Painting by Niki Gulley

July 20, 2023

16” x 20” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

The lavender fields in Provence are incredible – perfectly manicured rows and rows of an explosion of violet as far as the eye can see. Rippling purple rows draw your eye to the lone stone farmhouse in the distance while clouds drift by also in rhythmic waves, creating a flowing harmony. Perspective lines converge, leading you to this joyful spot and I hope you can smell the amazing aromas and feel your spirits lifted while gazing into this scene!

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my lavender and wildflower fields paintings.

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 our Euorpean Art Treks and learn to paint or photograph, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org for more information.

New Uplifting Sunflower Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 19, 2023

24″ x 48” textured mixed media painting on wrap around canvas

I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of color and energy, just like how I feel to be surrounded by a joyful field of sunflowers! Perky, circular faces smile at you as their golden petals dance across the canvas. Painting these blooms full-sized helps to bring them to life and hopefully transport you to this happy location. Including surprising pops of vivid reds, purples and turquoises keep your eye moving throughout the scene, seeing new things each time you look at it, and adds to the jubilant feeling.

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

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“Reclining Thoughts” Textured Aspen Tree painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

July 18, 2023

SOLD • 40″ x 30” textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Just Sold! In this painting, I wanted you to you to experience the joy of looking up into the treetops – just like you did when you were a kid. Lying on the ground, not a care in the world, you gaze in wonderment as the clouds drift by. Choosing warm yellows, reds and greens and utilizing thick chunky staccato strokes add to that childlike whimsy and I hope you are transported back to a happy, carefree time and place.

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

Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.