Tag: contemporary impressionist

Day 3, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

November 14, 2014
“Cypress Shadows,” Tuscany ©2014 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting
Day 3, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the third day of our Tuscany Art Trek, several of us attended a cooking class in Montepulciano from a Michelin-rated chef. We made hand-rolled pasta with a flavor-packed tomato sauce, osso buco, cheese soufflés and a delicious creamy tiramisu. After we were finished cooking, we sat down to sample our creations and wash it down with a little red wine. What an amazing experience! 
Later that afternoon, some of our group went onto see the formal Italian garden at La Foce while  some of us stayed and painted at the villa again. The late afternoon light was so beautiful how it cast its golden glow on the landscape and stone farmhouse, that we had to capture it before it was gone. Long deep shadows from the surrounding cypress trees draw your eye into the composition and set the peaceful mood of the evening.
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If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
The registration deadline of Nov. 15th for most trips is quickly approaching, so don’t wait! 
Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 11-19, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

Or if interested in purchasing “Cypress Shadows,” please contact the Good Art Company Gallery, goodartcompany.com/gac/.

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

Visiting Montepulciano and Tuscan Wineries with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

November 12, 2014
Montepulciano ©2014 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting
Day 2, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

The next morning of our Tuscany Art Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Perched atop a giant hill with beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards below, we set up our easels at this breathtaking overlook. We had to work quickly to capture the morning light and soft clouds before they disappeared, while the photographers and the others explored ancient wine cellars, quiet back alleys and even got in a little shopping.
After lunch, we visited two wineries nearby to sample their Rossos, Vino Nobiles and the delicious sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo. Full from the local meats and cheeses and tasty red wines, we headed back to the villa for a quiet night of relaxing and soaking in the evening scenery.
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. The registration deadline of Nov. 15th for most trips is quickly approaching, so don’t wait!
Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 11-19, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Day 1, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

November 10, 2014
View from our Villa, Tuscany ©2014 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting • SOLD
Day 1, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the first morning of our Tuscany Art Trek, my husband went over camera functions and tips with his photography students while my painters set up to capture this gorgeous view of the distant hills and farmhouse that we see from our breakfast table each morning. With a few clouds drifting by, there was a beautiful soft light and a symphony of autumn colors framed by the quintessential Tuscan cypress tree in the foreground. What a perfect morning!
That afternoon we continued painting at the villa while the photographers explored the scenic countryside, and we all gathered that evening for a delicious meal of melted pecorino and homemade rustic bread, pici (hand rolled pasta) with wild boar sauce or truffle ravioli for others, fresh organic vegetables and of course the local red wine to top it off!
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. The registration deadline of Nov. 15th for most trips is quickly approaching, so don’t wait!
Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 11-19, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

New Dallas Skyline Painting by Niki Gulley

October 29, 2014

“Golden Moment, White Rock Lake” ©2014 Niki Gulley
Textured oil on canvas • 12″ x 24″

On a peaceful autumn day last fall, I went out with my camera to White Rock Lake and captured this beautiful sunset behind the Dallas skyline. I liked how the pampas grass and various plants in the foreground were back lit by the setting sun and how the water’s surface was shimmering from the low light, adding to a sense of mystery and tranquility in that golden moment.

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

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Colorado Aspen Painting “Rocky Mountain Escape” by Niki Gulley

October 22, 2014

“Rocky Mountain Escape” ©2014 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 11″ x 14″ oil painting
Just Sold! I painted these brilliant golden aspen trees from Colorado with brush, palette knife and plenty of oil paint. I love the contrast and intensity of the colors created between the foreground forest and background blues.
E-mail – Niki Gulley
To see more my contemporary landscape paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.

“Deep Roots” New Textured Oil Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

October 17, 2014
SOLD • “Deep Roots,” ©2014 Niki Gulley
20″ x 16″ textured oil painting

JUST SOLD! Standing tall and proud, this old soul sinks its gnarly roots into the soil below, persistent and hopeful. I wanted you to get the feeling of staring up in wonderment like when you were a kid discovering things for the first time – noticing the unusual beauty and complexity of its infrastructure. Both grounded and reaching for the heavens, this organic skyscraper connects us to the mysteries of nature while encouraging childhood dreams that anything is possible.

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

E-mail – Niki Gulley

“October Rhythms” Palette Knife Aspen Trees by Niki Gulley

October 6, 2014
“October Rhythms” ©2014 Niki Gulley
36″ x 48″ textured oil painting on gallery wrap canvas

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.

White Rock Artists Studio Tour
Sat. Oct. 11 • 10am – 5pm
Sun. Oct. 12 • 10am – 5pm
To see more of my aspen and birch tree paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

“Santorini Sunset” Pastel Landscape by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

September 19, 2014

“Santorini Sunset” ©2014 Niki Gulley
12″ x 24″ pastel

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.

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If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Greece, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek to Athens and Santorini, Greece May 8-16, 2015. We’d love to have you join us! E-mail Niki Gulley for more information or go to nikigulley.com/artreks for more details on France, Greece, or our Italy Art Treks.
For more information on “Santorini Sunset,” please e-mail Niki Gulley.
Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings and pastels.

Day 6, Paris Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Monet’s Garden

August 6, 2014
Monet’s Garden ©2014 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ oil painting
Day 6, Paris Art Trek: Monet’s Garden
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the last day of our Paris Art Trek, we headed to Monet’s Garden in Giverny, which is incredible! The grounds are bursting with blooms, and they’ve kept it just like out of his paintings, especially in the water gardens. We set up our easels across from the bridge in his famous water lily paintings, and started on our own interpretations of the gorgeous location. What a treat!
That night we gathered for our last delicious meal with new friends and good memories. A perfect end to a perfect week!

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.

Upcoming Art Treks 
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014 • Sept. 2015 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014 • Sept. 2015 
New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014 
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015 
Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015 
The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015
 Provence, France – June 25 – July 3, 2014

Please visit NikiGulley.com (www.NikiGulley.com) to see more of my impressionistic plein air oil paintings.

Day 5, Paris Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Versailles

August 4, 2014
Versailles ©2014 Niki Gulley
5″ x 7″ pastel • SOLD
Day 5, Paris Art Trek: Versailles
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 

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.

Upcoming Art Treks 
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014 • Sept. 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014 • Sept. 2015
New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015
Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015
 Provence, France – June 25 – July 3, 2014