Niki Gulley paintings

Painting Venice Canals with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

August 14, 2025

12″ x 9″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Venice Art Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 2, Doge’s Palace and Painting the back canals

On the second day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop, we visited the Doge’s Palace, in all of its glory and were awed by its impressive art collection by Italian masters. Taking the “Secret Tour” we learned about parts of the Palace that you can’t normally see, including the prisons, the torture room and stories of Casanova.

That afternoon I took my painters to one of the back canals in Venice. With it being Carnival, there was a steady stream of gondolas rowing past us. At one point, a live violinist drifted by playing the most beautiful tune that echoed off the buildings. What a magical moment! I tried to capture it on video for you, but it gets lost in the ambient noise. I feel like we were able to capture that feeling in our paintings, though!

Check out the video here: https://www.facebook.com/niki.gulley/videos/925363725488223.

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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.

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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

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.

Day 5 of Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 20, 2025

Day 5, Greece Art Trek: Akrotiri and the Red Beach, Santorini

5″ x 7″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

On the fifth day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Greece, we visited Akrotiri, the remains from a Minoan civilization preserved during the volcanic eruption from the 16th century BC. The ancient city was fascinating. The beach next door also made for a beautiful, relaxing painting location! I loved this church nestled into the cliffs, so typical on the Greek islands.

The Red Beach • photo by Scott Williams

That afternoon, we headed to a Santorini winery and sampled the local wines. Yum!

Taking a little time out to enjoy the view and sample the Greek wines, which are quite tasty!

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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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If you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks!

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

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/

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

Niki Gulley Paints the Biltmore Estate in Springtime

May 28, 2025

7” x 5” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Painted on location at the Biltmore, I loved this view of the iconic majestic building surrounded by spring in all of its glory. The azaleas were in full bloom while the the irises were bursting with color! I found a nice cool spot in the shade and enjoyed a relaxing afternoon sketching and painting this beautiful spot.

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

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

Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley Paints the Texas Hill Country

May 12, 2025

20″ x 24″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

Painted on location in the Texas Hill Country, I was drawn to this expansive mass of bluebonnets and wildflowers, stretching along the foreground of this scenic overlook. The explosion of cheerful color made me feel so happy that I wanted to capture that joy and excitement in my painting for you. Long sweeping shapes flow across the canvas to add to the feeling of peace and happiness as you’re being surrounded by Texas Wildflowers on a beautiful spring day.

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For information on my Texas bluebonnet and wildflower series and to see more of my Texas hill country landscape paintings, please check out NikiGulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her palette knife contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings.

Vibrant Fall Foliage Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

March 11, 2025

“Autumn Wonderland” 36” x 18” textured acrylic painting on canvas

Those magical moments on Asheville trails when the sun hits just right! ? Finally getting to paint these incredible colors I’ve been dreaming about since our RV trip last fall. The leaves were literally dancing in the breeze while I painted – nature’s own little show!

I hope you enjoy the ride, too! Check out this video if you’s like to see more of the gorgeous autumn scenery – https://www.instagram.com/p/DB8-2vmR87-/.

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

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

Resurrection Studios Opens Tonight! New Asheville Art Gallery

March 7, 2025

36″ x 36″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

Sunlight sparkles across shimmering water, diamonds glitter the pond’s surface; lotus blooms lift their faces toward the sun and gently dance across the glassy expanse.

Golden sunlight filters through the brambles and ferns, a touch of cardinal red peeks through all while dreamy morning light reflects in the water.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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

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For more information on my palette knife paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of my contemporary textured landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

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If you’d like to see this and more, please stop by the opening of Resurrection Artist Studios tonight!

Friday March 7th from 5 – 10 P.M. ••• 160 Broadway St. • Asheville

Join us for the Grand Opening of Resurrection Studios Collective at the iconic former MOOG Music building. This is your chance to experience Asheville’s newest creative hub,—a dynamic space featuring the incredible work of Western North Carolina’s talented artists across a variety of mediums. Be a part of this exciting unveiling as we celebrate the dedication and artistry that has gone into bringing Resurrection to life.

Live Music: Doss Church & The Unholy Noise take the stage at 7 PM.

Bar Service: Enjoy drinks crafted by our neighbors, Day Trip

Featured Creatives: Explore the vibrant works of Kira Bursky in our pop-up gallery & our talented roster of over 30 Resurrection artists in our main gallery

Don’t miss an unforgettable evening of art, music & community. Join us for this 1st Friday event & discover how Resurrection Studios is bringing a new heartbeat to this historic building.

Walking in the Woods with Impressionist Landscape Painter Niki Gulley

March 6, 2025

“Carpeted Path” 36” x 18” textured acrylic painting on canvas

Can’t help but gasp every time I look up at these fall colors! Finally getting to paint these Asheville trees after dreaming about them for so long. The way the light hits the leaves just makes my heart happy – like nature’s own light show. Loving the sounds of leaves falling and crunching underfoot, while enjoying the uplifting autumn colors and refreshing November air. I hope you enjoy this relaxing, rejuvenating walk through the woods with me!

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

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

“Arms to Heaven” Vibrant Fall Foliage Painting by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

March 5, 2025

30″ x 30″ textured mixed media painting on 1.5″ deep canvas with the painting wrapping around the edges

Color hunting in nature’s gallery ? These are the hues that make my heart sing when I look up through the autumn trees:

? Autumn Flame Red – like the first blush of fall

? Aspen Gold – capturing the sun’s dance through leaves

? Sky Azure – peeking through the canopy

? Birch White – nature’s perfect highlight

Every palette tells a story – this one speaks of looking up through the trees on a perfect autumn day. Which color captures your attention first? ?

To purchase, visit https://www.nikigulley.com/arms-to-heaven/.

For more information on my textured palette knife paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

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

Resurrection Artist Studios Grand Opening this Friday

March 4, 2025

Pictured above: Niki Gulley’s studio, Resurrection Artist Studios, Asheville, NC

Friday March 7th from 5 – 10 P.M. ••• 160 Broadway St. • Asheville

Live Music: Doss Church & The Unholy Noise take the stage at 7 PM.

Bar Service: Enjoy drinks crafted by our neighbors, Day Trip

Featured Creatives: Explore the vibrant works of Kira Bursky in our pop-up gallery & our talented roster of over 30 Resurrection artists in our main gallery

Don’t miss an unforgettable evening of art, music & community. Join us for this 1st Friday event & discover how Resurrection Studios is bringing a new heartbeat to this historic building.

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For more information on my palette knife paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of my contemporary textured landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

New Super Thick Palette Knife Bluebonnet Painting by Niki Gulley

February 20, 2025

With such a rich kaleidoscope of hues from the Texas wildflowers, I am like a kid in a candy store every time I go out. The interplay of color between the Indian Paintbrush, Bluebonnets and assorted other wildflowers allows me to stretch the spectrum in this natural palette.

Check out my videos on Instagram to see how much dimension these really have, https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/.

“Petal Poetry II”

5” x 7” sculpted, highly textured acrylic painting on panel

Unframed – $395 through 2/23 $295

Framed – $495 through 2/23 $395

This piece looks great hung individually or paired with a complimentary floral landscape in the series.

E-mail Niki Gulley.

NikiGulley.com