painting lessons Europe

New Lavender Field Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

August 15, 2023

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas by Niki Gulley

I painted “Radiating Aromas II” on location while my husband and I were visiting Provence, searching for the perfect lavender field to capture on film and canvas. I loved how these beautiful rows led to the stone farm house with its terra cotta roof in the distance, so typical of the French countryside. The sky was a little hazy that morning, but I thought this was the perfect setting to channel my inner Van Gogh and have some fun with my strokes around the sun. After all, I was near the area that inspired Starry Night! Repeating those circular patterns in the tree line and emphasizing the curve of the purple plantings, help tie background and foreground together to create a harmony and uplifting feeling to the finished painting.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured lavender paintings.

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Painting Poppy Fields in Provence with Niki Gulley

August 14, 2023

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas by Niki Gulley

What my husband and I didn’t expect to find in Provence this summer were miles of poppy fields! We thought we were there much later than when these beauties usually bloom, but it turns out a lot of rain in early spring delayed their growth (and unfortunately the sunflowers, too, which were no where ready to bloom). So instead of painting and photographing sunflowers like we thought, mother nature had other ideas. So, going with the flow, these bright, vibrant stretches of uplifting crimson blooms were tugging on my heartstrings and I just had to capture them. I loved every minute of it, and I hope you can feel that joy, too!

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured poppy, sunflower and lavender field paintings.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my European travel paintings.

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New “Purple Harvest III” Gorgeous Flower Field in Provence by Niki Gulley

August 11, 2023

16″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas by Niki Gulley

My husband and I recently were teaching and leading an Art Trek in Provence, and we were able to spend a couple of extra days exploring the area before everyone joined us. While in pursuit of the perfect lavender field to paint and photograph, we came across this gorgeous field of purple / pink blooms, which we found out later was Clary Sage. The flowers were just breathtaking and stretched for what seemed like miles. Finding a tiny bit of shade, I set up my easel and went to work capturing all of that royal glory. And, it was a good thing I painted it when I did because the following week, my shade tree was roped off! I hope you, too, can experience the beauty of this joyful place.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured lavender paintings.

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Aromatic Lavender Field Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

August 9, 2023

16″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas by Niki Gulley

On a trip to Provence this summer, I set up my easel by this gorgeous lavender field. The color and aroma explosion were out of this world – a painter’s and photographer’s dream come true. Words can’t even describe how special that moment was! I wanted to focus on the perfectly planted purple rows, as perspective lines converge, leading you to this joyful spot. I hope you can smell the amazing scents and feel your spirits lifted while gazing into this scene.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured lavender paintings.

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Painting and Photographing Lavender Fields in Provence with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 1, 2023

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

Provence Art Trek: Lavender Fields

Day 5, Provence Art Trek: Lavender Fields

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

Just Sold! On our Provence Art Trek this year, we set up our easels in this gorgeous lavender field. The color and aroma explosion were out of this world – a painter’s and photographer’s dream come true. Words can’t even describe how special that moment was! Here you can see a couple of my students and their beautiful paintings.

Next year we will be leading a Foodie Trek to Spain and Tuscany, and an Art Trek to Iceland. So, if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! Visit ArtTreks.org for details.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured lavender paintings.

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Painting and Photographing Lavender Fields in Provence with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

March 30, 2016

Provence Art Trek: Lavender Fields

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

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

Just Sold through the Good Art Company Gallery! On our Provence Art Trek last year, we set up our easels in this gorgeous lavender field. The color and aroma explosion were out of this world – a painter’s and photographer’s dream come true. Words can’t even describe how special that moment was!

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! Visit ArtTreks.org for details.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

New “Tuscan Dreams” Palette Knife Poppy Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

January 29, 2016

24″ x 24″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Inspired from a wonderful trip to Tuscany, I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of joy and energy. Set beneath a colorful sky with a few clouds drifting by on a beautiful day in springtime, the poppies and wildflowers are in full bloom. Using broken impressionistic strokes in surprising hues, causes the landscape to dance and flow, and I hope all of your cares drift away while gazing into this cheerful scene.

You can paint and photograph these very views if you join us for our Tuscany Workshop in 2017. Don’t miss out on an amazing trip! Space is filling up quickly and there are a few spaces left so that you can experience Tuscany yourself. See nikigulley.com/artreks for details or e-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

For more information on Tuscan Dreams or more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

Painting and Photographing Lavender Fields in Provence with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

September 2, 2015

Day 5, Provence Art Trek: Lavender Fields

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

On the fourth day of our Provence Art Trek, we set up our easels in this gorgeous lavender field. The color and aroma explosion were out of this world – a painter’s and photographer’s dream come true. Words can’t even describe how special that moment was!

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

“Lemon Tree” – Tuscany Plein Air oil painting by Niki Gulley

September 11, 2013

12″ x 9″ textured oil painting

On our Tuscany painting and photography workshop last year, we decided to stay at our picturesque villa and paint the amazing views right there. It was a gorgeous morning with bright puffy clouds and soft golden sunlight hitting the back of our agriturismo. So while we set up our easels just a few feet away from one another, each painter picked a different subject. From the highly textured stone farm house, to this lemon tree that was so lush that I chose for my painting, to an ancient well and delicate geraniums, each student’s paintings turned out beautifully.

To purchase “Lemon Tree,” please contact the Good Art Company Gallery at goodartcompany.com/gac/.

And, if you’d like to join us in Tuscany for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 5th – 13th, please let me know. Early registration deadline of Nov. 16th for a $600 savings is quickly approaching! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

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NikiGulley.com

Tuscany Plein Air Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley

April 8, 2011

Textured Oil on Wrap Around Canvas, 18” by 48”- Tuscany

Red headed poppies nod and wave, basking in spring sunshine, nestling in the green, rolling hills of Tuscany. Tall and straight against the cerulean sky cypress trees stand like sentinels on guard, perhaps lining the path to an ancient stone farmhouse? It’s Tuscany: fertile, fruitful and filled with stunning vistas in every direction.

You can paint and photograph these very views if you hurry! The deadline of April 9th for our Tuscany Workshop is fast approaching. Don’t miss out on an amazing trip! Space is filling up quickly and there are a few spaces left so that you can experience Tuscany yourself. See nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 for details or e-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

To see more of my paintings, go to NikiGulley.com.