artreks Europe

Last Day Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 18, 2025

“Juliet’s Perch”

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

To purchase this painting, visit nikigulley.com/juliets-perch/.

Venice Art Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams: Last Day

On the last day of our Venice Art Trek, St. Mark’s Square was packed with tourists and people dressed up in costumes for Carnivalé which we loved seeing, but we were hoping to find a quieter spot to paint. So we left the photographers and headed back near our hotel.

One of my students this time was in her 80’s. And, normally you think as the teacher you should be inspiring your students, but in this case, I believe she inspired me! Plein air painting isn’t easy between not only capturing the scene on location but also toting all of your gear, and she kept at it.

So, for this last scene, I treated us to a spot right outside the door of our hotel, and let her pick our subject. You’ve got to love the quintessential Venetian balcony with the green shutters and ironwork! I also was attracted to the morning light creating deep shadows on all of the textured bark and stucco, which is so much fun to capture with palette knife.

That afternoon, everyone had free time to do whatever they chose and that evening we all gathered again for one last delicious meal together. What an incredible trip!

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

For more information on my Venice and other travel paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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We are excited to announce a new Art Trek for next year, where you will feel like you’ve stepped into a different time and world, like right out of a movie set. We’re elated to be returning to Venice, Italy in February 2026 for the costumed fantasy that occurs during Carnival. We’re already about half full, so let us know if you’d like to come along.

And, while our Switzerland Trek is completely booked this month, we actually have 2 spots open in our Tuscany Foodie Trek this coming September. Always everyone’s favorite trip, please let us know if you would like to join us on that delicious gastronomic journey!

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Carnivalé Art Trek – Venice, Italy 2026
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings – Aug. 9th

https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

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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Bougainvillea Painting from Santorini by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

June 26, 2025

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel by Niki Gulley

Santorini, Greece

Painted on location in Santorini, Greece, this Bougainvillea vine was so gorgeous that I just had to paint it. Gently stretching to the sky and framing the doorway, this magenta beauty formed the perfect welcoming entrance. In the distance you can see the white-washed architecture with the church perched at the top of the hill and the blue Aegean stretching beyond. Step inside, enjoy the view and let all of your cares slip away.

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If you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks!

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

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

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Last Day, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 23, 2025

Last Day, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

On the last day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Greece, we chose to paint in this lovely quiet park near our hotel, away from the hustle and bustle of tourists. With only a few locals passing through, we enjoyed the quiet, shaded escape. I loved their sycamore trees with their mottled bark, and this view framing the iconic white and blue architecture was perfect. Add a touch of the bougainvillea blooming in the foreground and I thought this summed up the beautiful feeling of Greece.

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If you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks!

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

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

***

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Day 5 of Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 20, 2025

Day 5, Greece Art Trek: Akrotiri and the Red Beach, Santorini

5″ x 7″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

On the fifth day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Greece, we visited Akrotiri, the remains from a Minoan civilization preserved during the volcanic eruption from the 16th century BC. The ancient city was fascinating. The beach next door also made for a beautiful, relaxing painting location! I loved this church nestled into the cliffs, so typical on the Greek islands.

The Red Beach • photo by Scott Williams

That afternoon, we headed to a Santorini winery and sampled the local wines. Yum!

Taking a little time out to enjoy the view and sample the Greek wines, which are quite tasty!

***

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

***

If you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks!

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

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

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

June 19, 2025

Day 4, Greece Art Trek: Afternoon Location – Oia, Santorini

SOLD • 12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

That afternoon, we headed to the other end of the island, to the beautiful city of Oia. With so much beautiful scenery, it was hard to decide on a subject, but a couple of the painters chose this iconic view of the windmills and bleached architecture contrasted against the cobalt blue skies and waters below. Meanwhile the photographers climbed every nook and cranny in town in search for the perfect shot, and others chose to shop or relax with a snack, soaking in the gorgeous view over the caldera.

That evening we put down our brushes and let the photographers work on capturing the beautiful sunset, while we sat back and enjoyed the amazing view!

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If you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks!

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

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

***

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Painting and Photographing in Santorini, Greece with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 17, 2025

Day 3, Greece Art Trek: Santorini

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

The next day we painted the beautiful view again from our hotel. Working with palette knife, I had so much fun capturing the craggy textures of the volcanic rocks hugging the water. The gorgeous blues and turquoises of the Aegean Sea were so relaxing and mesmerizing to gaze at! Sailboats and catamarans drifted by adding to that blissful, peaceful feeling. What a wonderful morning painting together!

Meanwhile the photographers viewed more of the town, while others relaxed at the pool at our hotel. That afternoon, we enjoyed a boat ride taking us to the surrounding islands and finishing with watching the sun drop across the sea. Just beautiful!

Enjoying the relaxing boat ride.

***

If you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks!

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

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

***

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

“Emerging Brilliance” Uplifting Sunflower Painting by Niki Gulley

June 1, 2023

SOLD • 30″ x 40″ textured mixed media painting on 1.5″ wrap around canvas

Just Sold! I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of color and energy. Sun rises on the horizon, casting its beautiful bronze glow across fields of golden petals. Creating a quilted patchwork with sunflower blossoms and their fronds, unexpected pops of red and purple peek out creating a rhythm and energy. Perky, circular faces smile back at you and I hope all of your cares drift away while gazing into this magical moment.

For more details on my sunflower and poppy paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

“Sunny Outlook” Sunflower palette knife painting by Niki Gulley

May 10, 2023

SOLD • 30″ x 48” textured mixed media painting on wrap around canvas

Just Sold! Festive, sun-filled blossoms dance in the gentle breeze, filling the field with sweet fragrance. This textured painting captures a carefree summer morning with sunflowers overflowing the foreground, filling up the field with joy under the sunny skies above.

I’m so excited that this painting has been chosen as the featured artwork for Southlake’s Art on the Square. What an honor! For details, visit http://www.artinthesquare.com.

Please stop by the show this weekend to visit and see more of my available paintings!

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For more information on my textured sunflower and poppy field paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

***

My husband and I are excited to be returning to Provence, France this summer as part of our Plein-Air Painting / Photography Art Treks Workshops. This trip is full, but if you are interested in joining us at other locations check out http://www.ArtTreks.org.

New “Emerging Brilliance” Uplifting Sunflower Painting by Niki Gulley

March 24, 2023

30″ x 40″ textured mixed media painting on 1.5″ wrap around canvas

I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of color and energy. Sun rises on the horizon, casting its beautiful bronze glow across fields of golden petals. Creating a quilted patchwork with sunflower blossoms and their fronds, unexpected pops of red and purple peek out creating a rhythm and energy. Perky, circular faces smile back at you and I hope all of your cares drift away while gazing into this magical moment.

If interested in purchasing this piece, visit nikigulley.com/emerging-brilliance/.

***

For more details on my sunflower and poppy paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

“Sunny Outlook” New Sunflower palette knife painting by Niki Gulley

March 22, 2023

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

Festive, sun-filled blossoms dance in the gentle breeze, filling the field with sweet fragrance. This textured painting captures a carefree summer morning with sunflowers overflowing the foreground, filling up the field with joy under the sunny skies above.

I’m so excited that this painting has been chosen as the featured artwork for Southlake’s Art on the Square. What an honor! For details, visit http://www.artinthesquare.com.

To purchase “Sunny Outlook,” go to https://www.nikigulley.com/sunny-outlook/.

***

For more information on my textured sunflower and poppy field paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

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