Niki Gulley plein air oil paintings

Day 5, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 25, 2017

Day 5, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

After a busy day in Siena, we stayed closer to home, visiting the nearby hill town of Montalcino and sampling their famous Brunello wines. Stopping off along the way to visit an ancient Monastery and soaking in views of the rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves.

That afternoon we took it easy and relaxed at the villa. While some painted the beautiful view of Pienza from our villa, the photographers visited more of the nearby hill towns and others chilled out by the pool. That evening we had a Tuscan mama chef prepare an amazing multi-course dinner at the villa while we enjoyed the gorgeous sunset. A rejuvenating day!

If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know.

Spaces are filling up quickly, 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 3, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 23, 2017

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, we went onto see the formal Italian garden at La Foce. The giant cypress trees are so interesting that I had to paint a quick study of the treetops.

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If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. The early registration deadline of Sept. 23rd for a $600 on most trips is quickly approaching, so don’t wait!

FULL – Fall in New England – Oct. 10-15, 2017

FULL – Croatia and Slovenia – May 9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Venice, Italy (Carnival) – February 3 – 10 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September 14 – 23 /2018

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

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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 2, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 21, 2017

12″ x 9″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 2: TUSCANY ART TREK – Montepulciano and Wine Tasting
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the second day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we set up our easels at a scenic overlook in Montepulciano while the photographers went exploring. The view of the valley below is gorgeous with miles of olive groves and vineyards stretching to the horizon. I chose to paint this lone Tuscan farmhouse below set amid the rolling hills and perfectly planted rows about to be harvested. In the afternoon, we visited two wineries and sampled some amazing red wines and the region’s prized Vin Santo. Another fantastic day in Tuscany!

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FULL – Fall in New England – Oct. 10-15, 2017

FULL – Croatia and Slovenia – May 9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Venice, Italy (Carnival) – February 3 – 10 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September 14 – 23 /2018

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

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

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

August 16, 2017

5″ x 7″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley • SOLD

Last Day: TUSCANY ART TREK

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

That afternoon, we all had free time. Some people stayed in Pienza to shop and explore the town, while others came back to the villa to chill out by the pool. I had enough time to complete one more small 5×7 oil painting of the villa itself. I loved this prolific rose bush in front of the unique terra cotta tile window offset against cypress trees, an olive grove and rolling hills in the distance.

Before dinner we gathered back at the villa for a slide from our photographers of the trip and to see the paintings we completed, accompanied by a little wine and Italian treats. That night we enjoyed a beautiful Terrace view with one last picture perfect sunset over dinner with amazing food and new friends. A perfect end to a perfect week! We were sad to see the night end.

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FULL – Fall in New England – Oct. 10-15, 2017

FULL – Croatia and Slovenia – May 9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Venice, Italy (Carnival) – February 3 – 10 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September 14 – 23 /2018

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

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

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

August 4, 2017

12″ x 9″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley • SOLD

Day 3: TUSCANY ART TREK

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the next day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we took it easy and painted right at the villa while the photographers and the rest of the group went exploring in Montalcino. I decided to paint this view from our breakfast table, since I’d been admiring it every day of the trip. It was a gorgeous morning with beautiful puffy white clouds that gave the landscape a soft filtered light. Pienza sits atop the hillside in the distance with the Adirondack chair and rose bush blooms framing the foreground. A perfect place to sit and relax!

For lunch we feasted on fresh local fruit and vegees, pecorinos, cured meats and a little wine and prosecco at the villa. Bon appetito!

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FULL – Fall in New England – Oct. 10-15, 2017

FULL – Croatia and Slovenia – May 9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Venice, Italy (Carnival) – February 3 – 10 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September 14 – 23 /2018

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

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Visiting Montepulciano and Tuscan Wineries with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 2, 2017

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 before it 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.

FULL – Fall in New England – Oct. 10-15, 2017

FULL – Croatia & Slovenia – May 9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Venice, Italy (Carnival) – February 3 – 10 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September 14 – 23 /2018

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

***

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

July 31, 2017

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, the sun kept illuminating the foreground Rapeseed and making the hills glow gold and chartreuse. I liked the single farmhouse set against the distant mountains and the one lone cypress growing in the middle of all that yellow. 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!

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If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. The early registration deadline of Sept. 23rd for a $600 savings on most trips is quickly approaching, so don’t wait!

FULL – Fall in New England – Oct. 10-15, 2017

FULL – Croatia and Slovenia – May 9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 ) 2018

Venice, Italy (Carnival) – February 3 – 10 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September 14 – 23 /2018

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

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

“Dappled Light” at Turtle Creek by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

May 29, 2017

SOLD • 12” x 9” oil painting

Just Sold! Early on a spring morning the sun breaks softly, dreamlike, through leafy branches and casts early autumn’s golden palette across the creek. Silent water is ruffled by a gentle breeze. Arching over, bending into the quiet waters, a tree is mirrored encompassing, embracing –this painting captures the dreamy reflections and tranquil landscape of one of my favorite spots to paint near my home. It is painted in the traditional plein air oil manner, incorporating some heavy texture.

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

See NikiGulley.com

New “Along the Shoreline” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

February 15, 2017

14″ x 18” textured oil painting on canvas

Early on a fall morning the sun breaks softly through leafy branches and casts early autumn’s palette across the creek. Silent water is ruffled by a gentle breeze. Arching over, bending into the quiet waters, a tree arches into the scene – encompassing, embracing. This painting captures the dreamy reflections and tranquil landscape of one of my favorite spots to paint on location near my home. It is painted in the traditional plein air oil manner, incorporating some heavy texture with palette knife.

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

See NikiGulley.com to view her textured palette knife oil paintings.

Lake Como Plein Air Oil Painting by Niki Gulley Just Sold

May 20, 2016

SOLD • 8″ x 10″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 6, Lake Como – Varenna and Menaggio
CINQUE TERRE / LAKE COMO ART TREK

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Just Sold! On our Lake Como Plein-Air Painting and Photography Workshop, our group went in all different directions the last day of the trip. Some folks decided to take an all day cooking class where they learned to make pastas, soups and entrees from scratch. While the rest of us visited Varenna castle in the morning and afterwards rode the ferry to Menaggio. We explored the town and treated ourselves to a fantastic lunch, dining al Fresco again before heading back to Varenna. With some down time in the afternoon, I enjoyed our amazing view of the lake and town from our balcony while completing this small palette knife oil painting of the colorful buildings below.

For dinner that night, we navigated the switchback roads to the tiny town of Perledo and were treated to a huge traditional seven-course Italian meal. With every plate being created from scratch with local ingredients, the food and wines were amazing. We left fat, happy and slept like the dead that night!

If you’d like to join us for our next European Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop, please visit art treks.org for more details or e-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.