contemporary impressionist

New Sunflower Painting Bursting with Joy by Impressionist Niki Gulley

January 7, 2026

24” x 48” textured acrylic painting on canvas

How about some cheerful sunflowers to brighten the end of 2025? These beauties with heads larger than dinner plates were bursting with joy this summer! Planted for what felt like miles stretching along the Biltmore property, they were full of so much hope and sunshine I just had to paint them. I loved the Blue Ridge Mountains peeking through above them in the distance, giving you a sense of just how tall and majestic these blooms were. May they brighten your day, too!

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about her palette knife seasonal paintings.

To see more of Niki’s contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

“Country Road” Textured Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

December 31, 2025

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.

Painting in Tuscany with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 12, 2025

16″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

by Niki Gulley

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 5: Gardens and Hill Towns

This morning we enjoyed a stroll around a beautiful Tuscan hill town and dined at a delicious Michellin restaurant for lunch. Then we visited an operating Italian Renaissance garden. Formal and organized with clipped boxwoods and plantings in symmetrical stone urns, impressive travertine column staircases, and the largest indoor potted citrus grove in the area, it was interesting to see the contrast between an Italian garden and an American garden, and the challenges of getting irrigation to the remote property.

For this painting, I focused in closer on one of the tuscan farmhouses, with a majestic backdrop of the peaks and valleys. Between the quiet surroundings, the quintessential Tuscan cypress, olive groves and the perfect weather conditions, this proved to be a very inspiring afternoon.

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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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If you’d like to join us on one of our fun-filled upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland Art Trek
Aug. 3-10, 2026

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

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026

September 26 – October 3, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

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

Dining al Fresco in Tuscany with Impressionist Landscape Painter Niki Gulley

August 6, 2025

“Picnic Under the Pine”

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

by Niki Gulley

SOLD

I loved this antique table set up underneath the shade of this gnarly umbrella pine in Tuscany. The setting was so warm and inviting – we just wanted to have a lovely picnic there. Throw in a bottle of wine and you have the perfect backdrop for a relaxing lunch!

For details on more of my Tuscany and Italy 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 2025. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

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.

Tuscan Hills and Valleys Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

August 1, 2025

18″ x 24″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

The views in Tuscany are just gorgeous – Straight out of “Under the Tuscan Sun” beauty! Today I was drawn to this villa surrounded by olive trees and jaw-dropping vistas of the valley stretching for miles. The best part of the day was getting to meet the homeowner and her pride that I chose to paint her house! I hope you enjoy the peaceful escape with me.

For details on more of my Tuscany and Italy 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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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.

“Olive Grove” from Tuscany by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 31, 2025

10″ x 20″ textured oil painting

During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montalcino to sample some of Italy’s world famous Brunello. On our way, we stopped at this beautiful convent with massive ancient olive trees growing on the grounds. In the distance, you can see the nearby hill town with vineyards and more olive groves lining the hillside. I wanted to capture the beauty of those regal olive trees on a beautiful sun-filled day in Tuscany.

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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

Or, to purchase “Olive Grove,” click here: nikigulley.com/olive-grove/.

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

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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.

Painting in Tuscany with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 30, 2025

“Amber Waves,” Tuscany ©Niki Gulley

SOLD • 20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Day 3, afternoon location – ART TREKS: TUSCANY
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Just Sold! After we finished a delicious antipasto lunch of prosciuttos, local pecorino, and fresh fruits and vegetables, we headed into the hills for our painting location. Golden wheatfields undulating in the breeze lined the foreground and set the stage for this quintessential tuscan farmhouses. Peaks and valleys rise and fall in the background, signaling you are in Tuscany. Between the quiet surroundings, perfect weather, and the gorgeous scenery this proved to be a very inspiring afternoon!

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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.

Visiting Siena Italy with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams on their Tuscany Foodie Trek

July 29, 2025

5″ x 7″ oil painting on panel

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 2: Siena, Italy

During the Foodie Trek that my husband and I led in Tuscany, we headed to the Medieval hill town of Siena, with its incredible church, great people-watching plaza, and interesting alleyways radiating out from the Campo with something new to discover around every turn.

While most of our group toured inside the Duomo, I chose to set up my easel and capture it’s impressive facade. Beautiful pink, green, white and black marble are stacked in such intricate patterns, it’s impossible to capture on a 5″ x 7″ canvas but I was able to at least suggest some of those colors and its scale, while showing the energy around it with people bustling in every direction.

That evening we enjoyed a delicious dinner with pasta doing the backstroke in truffles and pecorino cream while sharing our experiences. What a fantastic day!

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.

***

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.

Siena Tower Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 28, 2025

12″ x 9″ textured oil painting on panel

I set up in one of the quiet cobble streets radiating out from the campo of the Medieval hill town of Siena to capture the textures of their ancient walls and this unique old clock tower. Back in my studio, I added final details and textured paint to pull the scene together and recreate the beauty and history we experienced while in this energetic city.

If you’re interested in purchasing this painting, just follow this link nikigulley.com/siena-tower/.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her plein air paintings from Italy.

NikiGulley.com

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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.

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

July 22, 2025

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

I painted “Cypress Serenade” recently 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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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.

***

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.