Tag: Niki Gulley plein air oil paintings
February 10, 2020
“Golden Textures,” Tuscany ©2020 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9″ textured oil painting
On the last day of our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we explored nearby Pienza to enjoy its picturesque alleyways and amazing views of the valleys below. Having been home to Pope Pius II, the town is filled with interesting historical sites, great shopping, delicious lunch spots and plenty of interesting corners to paint. I chose this doorway since I loved the texture and color of the walls, the prolific potted ivy turning red in the fall sun, and the soft light raking across the scene. Welcome home!
Close up texture detail:
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
Iceland – Aug. 2020
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020
Paris – June 2021
Portugal – Aug./Sept. 2021
For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
****
New “Serpentine Drive” in Tuscany by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley
February 7, 2020
“Serpentine Drive” ©2020 Niki Gulley
12″ x 16″ textured oil painting
Before we taught our Tuscany Foodie Trek, my husband and I spent a few days exploring the Tuscan countryside, painting and photographing the iconic scenery. “Serpentine Drive” illustrates one of the fascinating places we stopped with its mile long cypress lined drive. It felt like the trees snaked back and forth to infinity! Setting up my easel in late afternoon, I was able to capture the dramatic light as the setting sun illuminated the tops of the rolling hills and created long, dramatic shadows. Between the repetition of the vertical arbors and the horizontally flowing hills, the scene created a rhythmic harmony that added to the joy and serenity of the moment.
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
Iceland – Aug. 2020
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020
Paris – June 2021
Portugal – Aug./Sept. 2021
For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
****
Painting Portugal’s Wine and Port Country by Niki Gulley
January 17, 2020

“Late Harvest” ©2019 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting
I painted this colorful vineyard while we were touring Portugal this past October along the Douro river, deep in the heart of Port territory. The grapevines had turned gorgeous reds, golds and oranges and the wineries were perched on such high hills overlooking the river that I wanted to capture that commanding view. Hugging the various elevations, grape leaves rise from neatly planted rows, inviting you to stop in and try one of their delicious ports.
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
Iceland – Aug. 2020
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020
Paris – May 2021
Portugal – Sept. 2021
For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
****
Visiting Siena Italy with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams on their Tuscany Art Trek
January 16, 2020
“Duomo,” Siena ©2019 Niki Gulley
5″ x 7″ oil painting
During the Foodie Trek that my husband and I led in Tuscany, we headed to the Medieval hill
town of Siena, with its incredible church, great people-watching
plaza, and interesting alleyways radiating out from the Campo with
something new to discover around every turn. While most of our group toured inside the Duomo, I chose to set up my easel and capture it’s impressive facade. Beautiful pink, green, white and black marble are stacked in such intricate patterns, it’s impossible to capture on a 5″ x 7″ canvas but I was able to at least suggest some of those colors and its scale, while showing the energy around it with people bustling in every direction.
town of Siena, with its incredible church, great people-watching
plaza, and interesting alleyways radiating out from the Campo with
something new to discover around every turn. While most of our group toured inside the Duomo, I chose to set up my easel and capture it’s impressive facade. Beautiful pink, green, white and black marble are stacked in such intricate patterns, it’s impossible to capture on a 5″ x 7″ canvas but I was able to at least suggest some of those colors and its scale, while showing the energy around it with people bustling in every direction.
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
Iceland – Aug. 2020
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020
Paris – May 2021
Portugal – Sept. 2021
For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
****
New “Rolling Shadows,” Tuscany Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley
January 15, 2020
“Rolling Shadows,” Tuscany ©2019 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting
Before my husband and I led our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we spent a couple of days capturing the gorgeous scenery on film and on canvas. I’ve always been attracted to this lone clump of cypress trees and on this day the clouds in the sky were so fascinating. Soft and voluminous and acting as the perfect backdrop behind the cypress grove, I had to capture it before they disappeared. I
decided to have fun with the colors and strokes to add to the excitement and drama of the moment.
decided to have fun with the colors and strokes to add to the excitement and drama of the moment.
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
Iceland – Aug. 2020
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020
Paris – May 2021
Portugal – Sept. 2021
For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
****
New “Cypress Glory” Tuscany Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley
January 14, 2020
“Cypress Glory” ©2019 Niki Gulley
10″ x 20″ textured oil painting
Before my husband and I led our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we spent a couple of days capturing the gorgeous scenery on film and on canvas. On this first night, I set up my easel alongside the road, drawn to this long cypress driveway which I figured would be silhouetted against the setting sun. As luck would have it, mother nature provided a symphony of colors across the sky and I worked quickly to establish the beautiful, golden light that was cast across the rolling hills and stone farmhouse. I hope you, too, can enjoy the glory that is Tuscany!
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
Iceland – Aug. 2020
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020
Paris – May 2021
Portugal – Sept. 2021
For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
****
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
“Autumn in Tuscany” Tuscany Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley
January 6, 2020
“Autumn in Tuscany” ©2019 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 16″ x 20″ textured oil painting
Just Sold! During our Tuscany Foodie Trek that my husband and I led, we headed to the wine town of Montalcino. I set up my easel at this gorgeous vineyard with its colorful grapevines turning beautiful oranges and golds with the cooling fall temperatures. Capturing the rows and rows of grapes hugging the hills and leading you back to the villa perched in the distance, I hope you can taste the delicious wine and escape to Tuscany with me!
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
Iceland – Aug. 2020
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020
Paris – May 2021
Portugal – Sept. 2021
For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
****
New Rooftop Overlook from Tuscany by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley
December 26, 2019
Montepulciano ©2019 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 12″ x 16″ textured oil painting
Just Sold! During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Perched atop a giant hill with beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards below, I set up my easel at this breathtaking overlook while the rest of our group visited wineries or took a cooking class with a local chef at a nearby award-winning restaurant. The view of the valley below is gorgeous with miles of olive groves and vineyards stretching to the horizon. I chose to paint the this puzzle of rooftops and buildings stacked in the foreground with the lush valley stretching to infinity in the distance. I hope you enjoy the morning escape to Tuscany!
After lunch, we visited a winery 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 our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
Iceland – Aug. 2020
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020
Paris – May 2021
Portugal – Sept. 2021
For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
****
New “Through the Keyhole” Palette Knife Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley
December 4, 2019
“Through the Keyhole” ©2019 Niki Gulley
20” x 16” textured oil painting
I love the twisting, textured limbs of old oak trees, and the way these two branches formed a keyhole view of the forest beyond was fascinating. Arching the branches upward suggests a touch of whimsey like climbing a tree when you’re a kid. Loaded with texture and surprising pops of color, I hope you, too, are transported to an enchanted place filled with hope and wonder.
If you have any questions about my palette knife paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
If you have any questions about my palette knife paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
To see more of Niki Gulley’s contemporary landscape paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.
New “If a tree Falls” Textured Oil Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley
December 3, 2019
“If a Tree Falls” ©2019 Niki Gulley
24″ x 18″ Textured oil painting
I always love going to Turtle Creek, the natural oasis the city has created in the middle of Dallas. This painting was inspired from a time when you could actually climb down the rocks and enjoy the beautiful stream from below, being completely isolated from city noise and housing. I was drawn to these large abstract sweeping patterns of the water and land meeting with just a trickle of light illuminating the foliage in the distance and one lone trunk that has fallen.
To see more of palette knife landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.













