“Cypress Serenade” Art from the Tuscan Countryside by Niki Gulley

July 27, 2026

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

I painted “Cypress Serenade” on location in Tuscany. I’ve always been attracted to this lone grouping of cypress trees and on this day the clouds in the sky were so fascinating. Hugging so close to the ground, soft and voluminous, acting as the perfect backdrop behind the cypress grove, I had to capture their drama before they disappeared. Wildflowers blooming in the foreground set the stage and I decided to have fun by repeating those colors throughout the scene, adding to the excitement and energy of the moment.

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Iceland Art Trek
August 2026
FULL

Tuscany Foodie Trek
Sept. 2026
Only 4 Spaces Left!

Switzerland Art Trek
August 2026

Just A Few Spots left!

Tuscany Foodie Trek
Sept. 2027

Registration Now Open

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

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

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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my impressionistic palette knife paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary Italy and European paintings.

Poppy Field in Tuscany by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 22, 2026

“Pops of Summer”

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

Day 7, Pienza: TUSCANY FOODIE TREK

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

My husband and I lead a Foodie Trek to Tuscany almost every year, and I’ve always been attracted to this lone grouping of cypress trees. I love trying to capture it in different ways, and mother nature had her hand in me choosing this location today. You see, there was a strong possibility of rain and this is one of the few locations I’ve found in the entire Tuscan countryside with a covered area that could keep me and my painting dry in the case of that liquid sunshine arriving mid-stroke. Fortunately because of the weather, the clouds in the sky were voluminous, beautiful and full of drama. Poppies blooming in the foreground just added to the excitement and energy of the moment. And, luckily I was able to capture the majority of the scene before the storms hit!

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For more details on my other Tuscany 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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Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

We will be returning to the gorgeous Swiss Alps in 2027. These Treks are amazing adventures to explore new cultures and be a part of what makes traveling expand your world and enrich your life. Whether you’re a painter, a photographer, food lover or just want to travel in small, friendly groups, this is the trip for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join in the fun as our trips fill up quickly!

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

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

Spain Foodie Trek
March 13-20, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/spain-foodie-2024/

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – Aug. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2027/

Tuscany Foodie Trek
Sept. 25 – Oct. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2027/

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.

Ocean Sunset Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 21, 2026

SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Just SOLD! Painting this piece on location, I wanted to capture the movement in the ocean as the tides lapped along the shoreline. With the waves creating their cathartic rhythmic sounds, I left my strokes loose to convey that energy and motion. There was a beautiful sunset tonight that caused the sky and water’s surface to dance in these ethereal shades of pink and gold. I hope you, too, can feel the peaceful magic in the moment.

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

Or e-mail me for more information on my seascapes at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

“Morning in Paradise” Palette Knife Seashore painting by Niki Gulley

July 15, 2026

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

I wanted this painting to be about the power of the ocean to lift your spirits. Painting this piece on location, I strove to capture the sparkle the sun cast across the turquoise waters as it slowly rose above the horizon. Creating bobbing diamonds of sparkling light across the surface was truly mesmerizing to watch.

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

Or e-mail me for more information at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

New Cheerful Sunflower Painting of the Blue Ridge Mountains by Niki Gulley

June 5, 2026

SOLD • 48″ x 36″ textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

Just sold! This piece is all about capturing that feeling of wandering through a summer meadow where every color of the rainbow seems to be blooming at once. My palette knife allows me to build up those chunky, textured strokes that make the flowers feel dimensional and alive. Painting the sunflowers full-sized in the foreground helps to bring them to life and hopefully transport you to this happy location. Including surprising pops of vivid reds and purples keeps your eye moving throughout the scene, seeing new things each time you look at it, and adds to the joyful feeling.

Or, if you would prefer a print on canvas, please e-mail Niki Gulley for details.

NikiGulley.com

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“Cypress Glory II” Palette Knife Tuscany Painting by Niki Gulley

May 29, 2026

SOLD • 10″ x 20″ textured oil painting

I absolutely love Tuscany and find inspiration everywhere I look. Tonight I set up my easel alongside the road, drawn to this long cypress driveway which I figured would be silhouetted against the setting sun. As luck would have it, mother nature provided a symphony of colors across the sky and I worked quickly to establish the beautiful, golden light that was cast across the rolling hills and stone farmhouse. I hope you, too, can enjoy the glory that is Tuscany!

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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 a couple of spots open up for our trip this September. Please let us know if you would like to join us. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland

August 3-10, 2026

Only 1 spot left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek

September 26 – October 3, 2026

Only a couple spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026

Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-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.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

“Country Road” Textured Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

May 28, 2026

10″ x 20 textured oil painting on canvas panel

New England in the fall is breathtakingly beautiful! The autumn leaves explode with a symphony of crimson and gold that makes my heart leap with joy. Add to that this picturesque, quaint country road and I just had to get out my paints to capture the storybook setting. I hope this scene transports you to a simpler time and place!

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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.

“Interpreting Impressionism” by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

May 27, 2026

20″ x 16″ textured oil painting on canvas

Painted at a park near my home, I loved all of the spring colors surrounding this peaceful pond. Having fun working with complimentary colors much like the impressionists and utilizing large textured strokes, cause this piece to dance with joy and energy. May you escape with me into nature’s beauty!

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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.

New “Colorful Ripples” by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

May 26, 2026

18″ x 24″ textured oil painting on canvas

Painted at a park near my home, I loved all of the spring colors reflected in this pond pond. Having fun working with surprising pops of color and utilizing large textured strokes, cause this piece to dance with joy and energy. May you escape with me into nature’s beauty!

•••

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

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

“Cypress Glory” Tuscany Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

May 25, 2026

SOLD • 10″ x 20″ textured oil painting

Before my husband and I led our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we spent a couple of days capturing the gorgeous scenery on film and on canvas. On this first night, I set up my easel alongside the road, drawn to this long cypress driveway which I figured would be silhouetted against the setting sun. As luck would have it, mother nature provided a symphony of colors across the sky and I worked quickly to establish the beautiful, golden light that was cast across the rolling hills and stone farmhouse. I hope you, too, can enjoy the glory that is Tuscany!

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Iceland
August 3-10, 2026

Only 1 spot left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek

September 26 – October 3, 2026

Only a couple spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026

Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-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.

****

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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