I find being immersed in nature can have such an uplifting effect, and I wanted to share that feeling with you in October Rhythms. I chose pure, intense reds and yellows contrasted against autumn golds and chocolates to create an fall forest that vibrates with color, energy and sound. The repetition in the aspen trunks and foliage patterns, combined with the flickering tones of the breeze rustling the leaves reminded me of a symphony in the forest so I titled this painting October Rhythms.
If you’re in the Dallas area this coming weekend and you’d like to see October Rhythms and more of my palette knife paintings in person, please stop by my studio as part of the White Rock Artists’ Studio Tour.
E-mail – Niki Gulley
My husband and I honeymooned in Greece and fell in love with everything about it. Definitely one of our favorite spots was the island of Santorini for its beautiful views of the Caldera, its white-washed architecture with the signature blue domes, the laid back attitude and the warmth of the people. Here is a view at the far end of the island in the town of Oia. I wanted to capture the “skyline,” ocean view and the gorgeous sunset that night.
If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Today, we packed up and left our hotel for the opulent Palace of Versailles. After touring the chateau in all of its decadence, we dined al fresco and settled on the quiet painting location above in the formal gardens. It was another gorgeous day and the grounds were in full bloom. The garden staff even offered us fixative for our pastels when we were finished painting!
Next, we arrived at our B and B in Giverny – just a little slice of heaven! I felt like we entered the pages of a fairy tale!
That night we dined on another delicious dinner of Coquilles Saint Jacques, roast lamb, giant prawns, chocolate molten cake and some delicious Bordeaux to wash it down!
If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
On day four of our Paris Art Trek, we ditched the painting gear and headed to Montmartre, home of so many famous French Impressionists and artists. Taking in the impressive Basilica du Sacré-Coeur, exploring the back alleys, making time for a little shopping, and swinging by the Moulin Rouge on our way home, everyone enjoyed a fun-filled day of sightseeing.
If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
On the third day of our Paris Art Trek, we visited Notre-Dame Cathedral it all of its Gothic Splendor. Fortified by a delicious lunch of crepes, salads and quiches, the painters went back to replicate this view of the church’s rose window across the Seine while the rest of our photographers and tourists visited Saninte-Chapelle, the Latin Quarter and St. Germaine.
If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
On the second day of our Paris Art Trek, half of our group visited the Louvres in the morning, and for any of my painters who had been to the museum before, we set up our easels across from this peaceful fountain in the Tuileries. It was a gorgeous day, and the light was soft and beautiful hitting the garden. We did a quick black and white value sketch to simplify the complexity of the scene, and then moved onto color. A perfect morning!
After we finished, we met up with the rest of the group for a picnic in the park, and in the afternoon some of us visited the Musee d’Orsay and their amazing impressionist art collection. That night we gathered for another amazing French dinner!
If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
On the first day of our Paris Art Trek, the sun was shining and it was a lovely 80 degrees. A perfect way to start our trip! In the morning, we went up in the Eiffel Tower and enjoyed the amazing views of the city. That afternoon, we painted in a quiet park next to the tower while the photographers shot around the city, and we all convened that night for a delicious Parisian dinner.
If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.