Tag: Dallas art classes

Last Day Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 18, 2025
“Juliet’s Perch”
12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley
To purchase this painting, visit nikigulley.com/juliets-perch/.
 
 
Venice Art Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams:  Last Day

 

On the last day of our Venice Art Trek, St. Mark’s Square was packed with tourists and people dressed up in costumes for Carnivalé which we loved seeing, but we were hoping to find a quieter spot to paint. So we left the photographers and headed back near our hotel.
 

 

 
One of my students this time was in her 80’s. And, normally you think as the teacher you should be inspiring your students, but in this case, I believe she inspired me! Plein air painting isn’t easy between not only capturing the scene on location but also toting all of your gear, and she kept at it. 
 

So, for this last scene, I treated us to a spot right outside the door of our hotel, and let her pick our subject. You’ve got to love the quintessential Venetian balcony with the green shutters and ironwork! I also was attracted to the morning light creating deep shadows on all of the textured bark and stucco, which is so much fun to capture with palette knife. 

 
 
That afternoon, everyone had free time to do whatever they chose and that evening we all gathered again for one last delicious meal together. What an incredible trip!
 

***

To see more of my contemporary textured landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.
 
For more information on my Venice and other travel paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
 
***
We are excited to announce a new Art Trek for next year, where you will feel like you’ve stepped into a different time and world, like right out of a movie set. We’re elated to be returning to Venice, Italy in February 2026 for the costumed fantasy that occurs during Carnival. We’re already about half full, so let us know if you’d like to come along. 
 
And, while our Switzerland Trek is completely booked this month, we actually have 2 spots open in our Tuscany Foodie Trek this coming September. Always everyone’s favorite trip, please let us know if you would like to join us on that delicious gastronomic journey!
 

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

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.
 
***

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 
 
 
 

Last Day Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

March 21, 2023

 

“Juliet’s Perch”
12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley
To purchase this painting, visit nikigulley.com/juliets-perch/.
 
 
Venice Art Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams:  Last Day

 

 

On the last day of our Venice Art Trek, St. Mark’s Square was packed with tourists and people dressed up in costumes for Carnivalé which we loved seeing, but we were hoping to find a quieter spot to paint. So we left the photographers and headed back near our hotel.
 

 

 
One of my students this time was in her 80’s. And, normally you think as the teacher you should be inspiring your students, but in this case, I believe she inspired me! Plein air painting isn’t easy between not only capturing the scene on location but also toting all of your gear, and she kept at it. 
 

So, for this last scene, I treated us to a spot right outside the door of our hotel, and let her pick our subject. You’ve got to love the quintessential Venetian balcony with the green shutters and ironwork! I also was attracted to the morning light creating deep shadows on all of the textured bark and stucco, which is so much fun to capture with palette knife. 

 
 
That afternoon, everyone had free time to do whatever they chose and that evening we all gathered again for one last delicious meal together. What an incredible trip!
 

***

To see more of my contemporary textured landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.
 
For more information on my Venice and other travel paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
 

***

 
If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

“Oldest House in Glen Rose” by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

January 26, 2023

 

 
 
“Oldest House in Glen Rose” ©2022 Niki Gulley
12″ x 16″ textured oil painting • Glenrose, TX 
 
 
Painted on location in Glen Rose, Texas with the company of my Outdoor Painters Society, I chose to paint the oldest house in town. It was so full of character and charm and I loved the big huge front porch and white-washed picket fence. The pergola welcomes you to step right in and relax on a rocking chair, visiting with neighbors and loved ones. Dramatic lighting and shadows add to the warmth of the moment.

 

For more information on my textured contemporary landscape paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at: nikigulley.com.

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

“Weathered Cisterns” Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

June 28, 2022

 

“Weathered Cisterns” ©2022 Niki Gulley
18″ x 12″ textured oil painting • Grapevine, TX 
 
 
I painted these water tanks and grain mill in the distance recently in Grapevine, TX on a bright, crisp winter morning. I loved the colorful rust contrasting against the blue-grays of the metal containers, and I worked with thick layers of oil paint and my palette knife to capture that texture. The whole scene had an industrial feel to it, so I chose to include the telephone pole and wires in the foreground to set that feel and also lead you into the scene. Adding a touch of whimsy to an otherwise hardened scene, I like the play of recent man made touches juxtaposed against 19th and 20th century modern technology.

 

To purchase “Weathered Cisterns,” go to nikigulley.com/weathered-cisterns/.
 

For more information on my textured contemporary landscape paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at: nikigulley.com.

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

“Exploring the Woods” Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

March 31, 2020
“Exploring the Woods” ©2020 Niki Gulley
12″ x 18″ textured oil painting
 
 
I painted “Exploring the Woods” on a beautiful fall day at one of my favorite spots near our home. The brilliant gold and tangerine leaves were glowing from the sun backlighting them, and the gnarly tree trunks were forming an intricate web that I just had to capture. Painted with palette knife and thick oil paint, this landscape is filled with tons of texture, color, movement and energy!

If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops, please let me know. 

For more details, e-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com or go to ArtTreks.org.

For more information on my textured contemporary landscape paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at: nikigulley.com.
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 

 

New “Oldest House in Glen Rose” by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

December 30, 2019
 
 
“Oldest House in Glen Rose” ©2019 Niki Gulley
12″ x 16″ textured oil painting • Glenrose, TX 
 
Painted on location in Glen Rose, Texas with the company of my Outdoor Painters Society, I chose to paint the oldest house in town. It was so full of character and charm and I loved the big huge front porch and white-washed picket fence. The pergola welcomes you to step right in and relax on a rocking chair, visiting with neighbors and loved ones. Dramatic lighting and shadows add to the warmth of the moment.

For more information on my textured contemporary landscape paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at: nikigulley.com.

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

“Weathered Cisterns” Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

December 27, 2019
“Weathered Cisterns” ©2019 Niki Gulley
18″ x 12″ textured oil painting • Grapevine, TX 
 
I painted these water tanks and grain mill in the distance recently in Grapevine, TX on a bright, crisp winter morning. I loved the colorful rust contrasting against the blue-grays of the metal containers, and I worked with thick layers of oil paint and my palette knife to capture that texture. The whole scene had an industrial feel to it, so I chose to include the telephone pole and wires in the foreground to set that feel and also lead you into the scene. Adding a touch of whimsy to an otherwise hardened scene, I like the play of recent man made touches juxtaposed against 19th and 20th century modern technology.

For more information on my textured contemporary landscape paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at: nikigulley.com.

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

New “Nature’s Ascension” Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

December 23, 2019
“Nature’s Ascension” ©2019 Niki Gulley
16″ x 12” textured oil on painting
 
I created “Nature’s Ascension” on a beautiful day last fall at one of my favorite painting spots near our home. I was attracted to the colorful dappled light raking across these steps and hillside, beckoning you to ascend. Meanwhile this majestic sycamore stands tall in its fall glory, also inviting you into the distance to discover what’s beyond. Painted with palette knife and thick oil paint, this landscape is filled with color, movement and energy!
 
For more information on my textured palette knife oil paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
 

Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings

.https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

New “Resting Spot” Oil Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

December 11, 2019
“Resting Spot” ©2019 Niki Gulley
14″ x 11” textured oil on painting
 
I painted “Resting Spot” on location in East Texas amongst the piney woods. This scene was so peaceful and I liked how the evergreens provided shade, keeping the warm Texas sun at bay. One lone boat sits on the shoreline, inviting you to sit down and row across the tranquil lake. I hope this piece transports you to a quiet weekend escape, surrounded by nature with not a care in the world.
 
For more information on my textured palette knife oil paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
 
Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

“Nature’s Ascension” Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

April 17, 2019
“Nature’s Ascension” ©2019 Niki Gulley
16″ x 12” textured oil on painting
 
I created “Nature’s Ascension” on a beautiful day last fall at one of my favorite painting spots near our home. I was attracted to the colorful dappled light raking across these steps and hillside, beckoning you to ascend. Meanwhile this majestic sycamore stands tall in its fall glory, also inviting you into the distance to discover what’s beyond. Painted with palette knife and thick oil paint, this landscape is filled with color, movement and energy!
 
For more information on my textured palette knife oil paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
 
Or, visit NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.