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In this painting I wanted you to feel that child-like wonder of staring up into the treetops and heavens above. Choosing uplifting golds and reds contrasted against a turquoise-blue sky with gentle clouds drifting by, I’ve arranged the aspens in a circular pattern to give you a sense of laying on the ground, surrounded by the forest. Using diagonal leading lines with the tree trunks and limbs, your eye gazes into the focal point where all of the elements come together. Meanwhile, utilizing thick, curving paint strokes adds to that joyful, playful feeling of hope and discovery.
For details on more of my Tuscany or sunflower paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.
Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you’re in luck if you’ve always wanted to go! We’ve had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2027. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

“Woodland Adventure” ©2026 Niki Gulley
18″ x 24″” textured oil painting on board
To purchase this highly textured oil painting, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/woodland-adventure/.
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my aspen and birch paintings.

10″ x 20 textured oil painting on canvas panel
For more details on my other colorful fall foliage paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.
Before we started teaching in Provence, we first took a direct flight to Rome and explored more of Tuscany for a few days before we flew onto France. Remembering from the past that May is usually a perfect time to find poppy fields, we thought we’d find the ruby beauties everywhere. Wrong! Thus began our crazy quest in search of the elusive poppy. And, after a week of scouring the countryside, we finally found them! Of course, they were right next to our b and b, but in a direction we hadn’t explored all week.
But, once we did finally discover them, the vibrant pops of red just lifted my spirits. Combined with gorgeous skies and dramatic lighting, it was truly inspiring and so much fun to paint after 2 solid rainy days. Hope you can feel and experience all of that joy, too!
If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.
Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.
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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my poppy and wildflower field paintings.
Water pounds its way down the falls: cascading, rushing, charging into the riverbed — flowing over rocks, swiftly moving forward. Untamed, the surge finds its way over, under, around the boulder-strewn river. Tumbling waters drive through, the rhythmic sounds create a soothing harmony below, while autumn colors glow as we peer through the tangle of textured fall foliage