Visiting Nice with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams, French Riviera Art Trek

Day 5, Nice – French Riviera Art Trek
stained glass windows by Marc Chagall
On the next day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in the French Riviera we packed in a busy day. Starting out the morning on the far edge of Nice, we visited the archaeological and Matisse museum for anyone who was interested. Next, we dropped everyone off at the Marc Chagall museum, which had an incredible collection of his paintings and a few of his stained glass windows along with a fascinating video.
That afternoon, we went into the old city to tour, shop, walk along the boardwalk and dip our toes in the ocean. Dining on a delicious dinner in town, we headed back to Villefranche at the end of the day.
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

Day 4, French Riviera Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 4, Renoir’s House and St. Paul de Vence – French Riviera Art Trek
7″ x 5″ textured oil by Niki Gulley
On the fourth morning of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in the French Riviera we visited Renoir’s house along the coast. Seeing his studio and garden, along with some of his lesser known impressionist paintings was truly a thrill!
Next, we headed north to the Medieval town of St. Paul de Vence, where some of us took a fascinating wine tasting class while others explored and shopped. That afternoon the painters met up and we each chose a different subject. Some chose to paint the rolling hills and valley below, while I was intrigued by this balcony being overrun by Bougainvillea. The magenta color explosion was out of this world, and I just had to capture it!
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

Day 3, French Riviera Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 3, Villefranche and Monte Carlo – French Riviera Art Trek
12″ x 9″ oil by Niki Gulley
On the next morning of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in the French Riviera we all went in different directions. I took the painters to this beautiful scenic overlook while Scott drove the photographers along the corniches in search of the best vantages and photographs, while others relaxed at the pool at the hotel.
That afternoon, we explored the bustling old city of Monaco and later that evening tried our hand at the casinos. One person in our group even won $336 on the slot machines! That evening we dined al fresco on a delicious three course meal, enjoying the company of new friends.
A delicious dinner in Monaco.
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

Day 2, French Riviera Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 2, Eze and Villefranche – French Riviera Art Trek
9″ x 12″ pastel by Niki Gulley
On the second day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in the French Riviera we spent the morning exploring the Medieval town of Eze perched on the mountainside high about the Mediterranean. With amazing views below, a massive other-worldly succulent garden, twisty stone passages and fascinating shops, there was something for everyone to see and do.
Bougainvillea in Eze – Photo by Scott Williams
That afternoon, we headed back to the hotel and while some of our group relaxed, my painters and I set up our easels in front of this beautiful ocean view, framed by tile rooftops and luscious palm and cypress trees. Our treat that evening was a boat cruise along Villefranche and the surrounding harbors. A perfect end to the relaxing day!
Enjoying the boat cruise along Villefranche harbor.
 
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

French Riviera Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 1, Rothschild Estate and Beaulieu – French Riviera Art Trek
9″ x 12″ pastel by Niki Gulley
On the first day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in the French Riviera we spent the morning touring the gorgeous grounds and estate of Beatrice Rothschild. Composed of nine different themed gardens, each one managed to be even more beautiful than the one before with jaw-dropping views of the ocean below.
That afternoon, my painters set up their easels in the pictureasque nearby harbor or Beaulieu while the photographers and tourists joined Scott at another impressive villa and for a walking tour along the harbor. The beach was alive with activity and we set out to capture that energy with the colorful umbrellas and clear turquoise water set against the lush vegetation and unique stately homes in the background. A great day!
The gorgeous Rothschild villa and gardens.
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

Last Day, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Last Day, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
7″ x 5″ oil painting by Niki Gulley
On the last day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Greece, some folks shopped, some relaxed by the pool, others continued photographing. I couldn’t miss one last opportunity to paint our gorgeous Santorini view from our hotel balcony. Everyone had a lovely, rejuvenating afternoon!
Later that day we all gathered to share what we had painted and photographed during the trip, and sample some of the local wines and cheeses while we discussed the art. To cap off the evening, we treated ourselves to a delicious seafood dinner with another gorgeous view of the ocean, catching up with new friends and savoring our last night. A perfect ending to a perfect trip!
Dinner with an amazing view on our last night.
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

Day 5, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Sunset Cruise

Day 5, Sunset Boat Cruise – Greece Art Trek
5″ x 7″ oil painting by Niki Gulley
That afternoon we rode the cable cars to the port below and caught a boat cruise that ferried us across the bay and around the island at sunset. Stopping at the volcano, some of our group hiked to the top, which was quite intriguing with its sci-fi type lava rock. Meanwhile some of us pulled out our paints and sketched the scenery around us. I particularly liked the casual posture and conversation of these two ladies who were part of our group, so I chose them for my subject. Both were wearing their new hats, which glowed in the sunlight. With just an hour to paint, all we could do is loosely capture a particular feeling. A fun challenge!
Next we stopped at a hot spring for anyone who wanted to swim. And, finally we cruised around the island enjoying the view from the water while the sunset on the horizon, sipping some Greek wines and nibbling on some local meats and cheeses. A great end to the day!
Watching sunset from the boat cruise.
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.Or, if you are in the Denver, CO area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at the Cheesman Park Art Fest.

Cheesman Park Art Fest 
Sat. July 25 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 26 • 10am – 9pm
Denver, CO
dasheventsdenver.com/#!cheesman/ctzx

Capturing Sunrise in Santorini with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 5, Sunrise in Oia – Greece Art Trek
8″ x 10″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

The next morning of our Greece Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop, the photographers got up early to shoot sunrise and I decided to join them. Town was so peaceful and the views were incredible. I chose this strategic location to capture the iconic blue domes over the caldera. It was cloudier this morning which created a peaceful feeling with softer sunrise colors that spread across the sky. I hope you, too, can feel the beauty and tranquility of this special spot.

Enjoying a drink that afternoon at our gorgeous pool view.
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.Or, if you are in the Denver, CO area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at the Cheesman Park Art Fest.

Cheesman Park Art Fest 
Sat. July 25 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 26 • 10am – 9pm
Denver, CO
dasheventsdenver.com/#!cheesman/ctzx

New Autumn Aspen Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Orchestrating Autumn” ©2014 Niki Gulley
24″ x 48″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

I wanted this painting to be about the power and energy in nature to invigorate your spirit more so than an exact replica of the forest, so I chose to use warm vivid colors and thick staccato strokes to add to that feeling. I placed the foliage in diagonal sweeping shapes to create a sense of movement, so that you can feel the wind gently rustling the leaves and causing them to dance.
To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.
For more information on palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

New Palette Knife Birch Painting, “Autumn Crescendo,” by Niki Gulley

“Autumn Crescendo” ©2013 Niki Gulley
36″ x 60″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
I wanted this painting to be about the power and energy in nature to invigorate your spirit more so than an exact replica of the forest, so I chose to use warm vivid colors and thick staccato strokes to add to that feeling. I placed the foliage in diagonal sweeping shapes to create a sense of movement, so that you can feel the wind gently rustling the leaves and causing them to dance.

If you would like to see “Autumn Crescendo” and more of my textured oil paintings in person, please stop by my booth at the State Street Art Fair in Ann Arbor, MI this Wednesday through Saturday.

State Street Art Fair
Wed. July 17 • 10am – 9pm
Thurs. July 18 • 10am – 9pm
Fri. July 19 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 20 • 10am – 6pm
Ann Arbor, MI
Booth #B211 on N. University between Thayer and State St.
For more information on palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.