New Tuscany Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Misty Morning,” Tuscany ©2022 Niki Gulley
16″ x 20″ textured oil painting
 

On this morning in Tuscany, we decided to get up really early so that we could capture sunrise over this beautiful valley. The hills were surrounded by a layer of mist that created this ethereal, peaceful quality to the morning. I really liked how the fog accentuated the miles and miles of rolling landscape, perfectly off-setting the villa surrounded by cypress and olive groves in the foreground. While I’m not usually an early morning person, this turned out to be a very inspiring moment!

To see more of my paintings from Tuscany, visit nikigulley.com.

 

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We will be returning to Tuscany this October for a delicious Foodie Trek. For more information, visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

 
If you’re interested in joining us, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly! 
 
 

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

 

 

“Ready for Harvest II” Winery Painting by Texas Niki Gulley

 

“Ready for Harvest II” ©2022 Niki Gulley
16″ x 20″ textured oil painting

I love how in Tuscany you are surrounded by grapevines everywhere you go. My husband and I visited late in the summer to capture the area’s beauty on canvas and film. I was drawn to this vineyard outside of Montalcino, home of Brunello wines. I was attracted to the vibrant vines contrasted against the progressive miles of golden rolling hills dotted with more grapevines, olive trees, and plowed grain fields. The gorgeous, plump purple grapes were ready to harvest at any moment. Setting up my easel across from this vineyard, I began recreating the soft light that would break through the clouds and illuminate various hilltops and plantings. I arranged the vines to lead your eye back to the Tuscan villa and then to the beautiful countryside beyond. And when I finished, we treated ourselves to one of their delicious wines. A perfect afternoon!

To see more of my travel location paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 

 
***
 

We will be returning to Tuscany this October for a delicious Foodie Trek. For more information, visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

 
If you’re interested in joining us, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly! 
 
 

***

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

 

 
 

“Sunny Dreams” Palette Knife Sunflower Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Sunny Dreams” ©2022 Niki Gulley
24″ x 48″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
 
 
I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of color and energy. Set beneath a glowing sky on a beautiful summer evening with the sunflowers in full bloom, you can just make out the stone farmhouse in the distance against a backdrop of purple mountains surrounding the plain. Creating almost a patchwork with the sunflowers and their leaves, unexpected pops of red and purple peek out creating a rhythm and energy to the foreground. Perky, circular faces smile back at you and I hope all of your cares drift away while gazing into this cheerful scene.
 
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape or sunflower paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
For more information on our plein air painting and photography Art Treks workshops in France and Europe, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
 

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

“Memories of Sunshine II” Palette Knife Sunflower Painting by Niki Gulley

“Memories of Sunshine II” ©2021 Niki Gulley
30″ x 40″ textured painting on wrap around canvas
 
“Memories of Sunshine” was inspired by our trip to Provence, France. Our timing was perfect and the sunflowers were in full bloom. Their bright, smiling faces as big as dinner plates, the sun dappled path leading you deep into the golden field to the quaint stone farmhouse in the distance, and a beautiful summer day with a few peaceful clouds drifting by made for the ideal subject. The resulting painting is full of warmth, color and texture, and my hope is that when you gaze into it, this piece lifts your spirits and brightens up any spot in your home.

 

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“Memories of Sunshine II” is available through the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX.

•••

For more details on my textured floral paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 
Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.
 
 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 

Portugal’s Gorgeous Coastline Painted by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Atlantic Coastline II” ©2020 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 12″ x 9″ textured oil painting on canvas panel
 
Portugal Art Trek: 
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Day 4 – Evening Boat Ride

 

After returning from Obidos, we treated ourselves to a relaxing boat cruise along Cascais’ rocky shoreline and surrounding cities. Mother nature didn’t disappoint and we were able to enjoy a gorgeous sunset as we sipped on some local Portuguese wines!
 
Above you’ll see my interpretation of the coastline. I wanted this painting to be about the power of the ocean to lift your spirits. I also wanted to capture the gorgeous rock formations and the beautiful colors in the ocean. Whenever I visit the coastline I always feel rejuvenated, and I hope I’ve translated that onto the canvas for you to experience it, too.
 
 
 
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, 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 (wait list only) / Oct. 2023
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
 

Painting Lisbon with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

      

Trolley ©2021 Niki Gulley
6″ x 8″ textured oil painting on panel
 
Portugal Art Trek: 
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Day 5 – Lisbon
 
Rounding out our adventure, we visited the bustling city of Lisbon. Most of our group visited the Carmo Convent, know as the church without a ceiling, and toured the city’s sights. Meanwhile, I set out to capture the colorful trolley and architecture which makes Lisbon so unique.  I love the trolleys that run through Lisbon and thought this would be such a fun departure to paint. Of course, I also thought this one was always parked in one place (we’d never seen in move in the past) and I didn’t realize that it would not only be traveling every 10 minutes, but would also switch cars (when I started the painting it was the yellow car you see above)! Add to that the crowd that gathered behind me, and you get the joys and challenges of plein-air painting.
 
That afternoon, we attended a wine and port tasting with the most delicious bottles!
 
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, 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 (wait list only) / Oct. 2023
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
 

Niki Gulley and Scott Williams Lead Art Treks in Portugal

       

“Late Harvest” ©2019 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 6 – Jeronimos Monestary

 

After an action filled day in Lisbon, we took a slower pace the next day by visiting Cascais’ bustling Farmers’ Market and later that day, onto one of Lisbon’s the most visited sights, Jeronimos Monestary. Its architecture is unlike any other church, demonstrating the wealth in Portugal’s age of exploration. 
 
Upon returning to Cascais, we just had to go for one more Port tasting, and fortunately the grapes did not disappoint! That evening, we dined on one of our best meals and relived the fun events of the trip.
 
 
 
(Picture at top you can see my painting from the Douro Valley where so may of Portugal’s delicious wines and ports originate. The grapevines had turned gorgeous reds, golds and oranges and the wineries were perched on such high hills overlooking the river that I wanted to capture that commanding view. Hugging the various elevations, grape leaves rise from neatly planted rows, inviting you to stop in and try one of their delicious ports.
 
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, 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 (wait list only) / Oct. 2023
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
 

Painting Portugal with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

        

 ©2021 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 5″ x 7″ textured oil painting
 
Portugal Art Trek: 
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Day 7 – Cascais
 
On the final day of our Art Trek in Portugal that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led, we gave everyone the day to explore and visit whatever sights they chose. Just a short stroll from our accommodation, some visited the crashing oceans waves at Boca do Inferno while others toured the picturesque lighthouse standing watch. Others chose to explore the defensive walls of a 15th century fort guarding the harbor and a couple of other chose to just chill out at the beach and pool. 
 
Being a water lover, I chose to spend as much of the day as I could near the ocean. Above you can find my painting of the coastline. I wanted this painting to be about the power of the ocean to lift your spirits. Whenever I visit the beach I always feel rejuvenated, and I hope I’ve translated that onto the canvas for you to experience it, too!
 
 

(Lighthouse and palaces in Cascais • Photo by Scott Williams)

 

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, 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 (wait list only) / Oct. 2023
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
 

Painting in Portugal with Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

     

Obidos ©2021 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting on panel
 
Portugal Art Trek: 
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Day 4 – Obidos
 
For a change of pace, the next day we took a side trip to the quaint and colorful town of Obidos. This charming Portuguese walled town with narrow cobbled streets, traditional painted houses and medieval castle, is a perfect destination to immerse yourself in Portugal’s history. The white washed houses with colorful blue and yellow accents screamed that they needed an artist to try and capture their beauty and uniqueness. Then add the gorgeous, prolific bougainvillea blooming out of the cracks in the ground and you had the makings for a perfect painting!

 

 
 
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, 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 (wait list only) / Oct. 2023
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
 

Visiting Peña Palace with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams Art Treks

    

 Peña Palace ©2021 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 8″ x 6″ textured oil painting on panel
 
Portugal Art Trek: 
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Day 3 – Sintra: Peña Palace

 

Since Sintra is filled with so many beautiful palaces and castles, one day is not enough time to absorb it all, so we returned the next day to continue exploring everything it has to offer. First stop was its star attraction, Peña Palace, which dazzles with bright colors and fairytale design. While our group explored the interior and its surroundings, I set up my easel to paint its dramatic, red and yellow facade.
 
 
Next up on our itinerary we visited our last Sintra attraction, the National Palace, and then headed back to Cascais for a little downtime at our hotel pool and another delicious dinner. 
 
To see more of my impressionistic plein air landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

 

 

***
 
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 (wait list only) / Oct. 2023
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.