Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.
After a peaceful day in the countryside, we headed to the Luberon hill towns today. Starting our journey at the Abbey de Senanque, some of our group toured the twelfth century sanctuary’s interior, while others painted and photographed the lavender fields and grounds surrounding the abbey. Next we traveled to the red and gold colored town of Roussillon, known for its ochre cliffs. Filled with picturesque views, art galleries, restaurants and interesting shops, everyone enjoyed having some free time to wander before we took off for the Pont Julien bridge.
The Roman bridge, dating from 3 BC and constructed without mortar, is an architectural marvel that was still driven on until 2005! After surveying the bridge, we headed back to our b and b. Dinner that night was traditional Provencal fare, including fresh vegetables, fish, meats, and goat cheeses loaded with delicious sauces, garlic and butter. Yum!
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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my impressionistic palette knife paintings.
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.
This winter has been so grey and cold that I had to buy a bouquet of sunflowers to cheer myself up. Not only did they do the trick, but I was also inspired to paint their infectious beauty. To lift your spirits, too, I arranged the blooms vertically in my composition and repeated the circular shapes in the foreground and background to create a sense of joyful energy and movement. I hope you can hear a beautiful symphony playing while sunflowers dance to the melodic tune.
These vibrant sunflowers can also be hung horizontally.
If you’d like to join us in Provence this summer and learn to paint like Van Gogh, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org for more information.
Just Sold! I saw these cheerful sunflowers 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.
Just Sold! Today we checked out of our hotel and headed to Provence’s cultural hub and Cezanne’s home, Aix-en-Provence. After visiting its famous Cours Mirabeau boulevard, lined with cafés and plane trees and its morning produce and flower market, we parted from the photographers and set up our easels at this picturesque fountain courtyard. Having several hours to paint, we thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful day and each painter’s unique view of the scene. Some focused on the fountain, others on the architecture and some on the nearby cafés. Everyone’s painting turned out great!
Next, we headed deep into the lavender country 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!
If you’d like to join us in Provence next summer and learn to paint like Van Gogh, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org for more information.
I saw these cheerful sunflowers 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.