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

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

 
 
 

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

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

Visiting Montepulciano and Tuscan Wineries with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Montepulciano ©2017 Niki Gulley • 12″ x 9″ textured oil painting
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.
 
 
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 & 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.
 
***
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

Day 1, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

View from our Villa, Tuscany ©2017 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting 
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!
 
***
 
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.
 
***
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

Just Sold – “Balcony with a View” Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

Day 3, Greece Art Trek:  Santorini
SOLD • 12″ x 9″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the third day of our Greece Art Trek, we flew to Santorini and gawked at the amazing view from our hotel overlooking the caldera. Our painters set up their easels right there since the scenery was so beautiful, while the photographers toured through town, shooting the white washed architecture and fantastic views of the ocean below. I chose this vantage of the potted succulent set against the vivid blue water and white stucco balcony. With several clouds in the sky, everything had a nice soft light that created subtle shadows, intense colors and a cool breeze, making it such a pleasant day to paint.

Taking a little time out to enjoy the view and sample the Greek wines, which are quite tasty!
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Paris and Provence, France so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing during lavender and sunflower season in France, and following in the footsteps of Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne, please join us for this amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionistic paintings.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Lake Como Plein Air Oil Painting by Niki Gulley Just Sold

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.

Day 2, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 2, Greece Art Trek:  Santorini
12″ x 9″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the second full day of our Greece Art Trek, we flew to Santorini and gawked at the amazing view from our hotel overlooking the caldera. Our painters set up their easels right there since the scenery was so beautiful, while the photographers toured through town, shooting the white washed architecture and fantastic views of the ocean below. I chose this vantage of the potted succulent set against the vivid blue water and white stucco balcony. With several clouds in the sky, everything had a nice soft light that created subtle shadows, intense colors and a cool breeze, making it such a pleasant day to paint.

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

View of Fira, Santorini
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 Madison, WI area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at Art Fair on the Square.

Art Fair on the Square 
Saturday, July 11 • 9am – 6pm
Sunday, July 12 • 10am – 5pm
Madison, WI • Capital Square

mmoca.org/art-fair

New Orleans Garden District Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

“Oak Beauties,” New Orleans  ©2015 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9″ palette knife oil painting

On our plein air painting and photography workshop my husband and I taught in New Orleans this fall, we rode the trolley to the Garden District and set out to capture the beautiful architecture so distinctive of the area. I was attracted to this grand pink house, and in particular I loved the huge old oak tree framing it. The dappled light hitting the trunk was so striking that I decided to accentuate that in my painting with a multitude of colors and values while making the background soft to keep the composition from becoming too cluttered. The sheer size and age of the trees in New Orleans is incredible, which I set out to show juxtaposing the massive oak against the smaller two-story homes in the distance. Created with palette knife and a lot of oil paint, this canvas is loaded with texture and uplifting colors so that you feel the joy and energy of hanging out in New Orleans.

“Oak Beauties” along with several of my new palette knife paintings will be featured in my One Woman Show, hosted at the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. If interested in more information on pricing or purchasing this palette knife New Orleans painting, please contact The Good Art Company.

The Good Art Company Gallery
Niki Gulley – One Woman Show
Opening Reception / Meet the Artist – April 3rd, 5pm – 9pm
Show continuing through April
218 West Main St.
Fredericksburg, TX
For more information on upcoming Plein-Air Painting and Photography Art Treks workshops, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Painting at Oak Alley Plantation with Niki Gulley

“Rooted,” Oak Alley Plantation  ©2014 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ palette knife oil painting
New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 4, Oak Alley Plantation

On the final day of our New Orleans Art Trek, we drove out to Oak Alley Plantation and were awed by its impressive grounds and 300 year old oak trees. Enjoying the quiet after the busy bustle of New Orleans, we each set out to capture something different, from the beauty of these old gnarled trees to the formality of the mansion to the modest slave quarters. Everyone’s painting turned out fantastic and we gathered at the end of the day to look at our progress each day and view the photographers slideshows from the trip. What a wonderful Art Trek! 
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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
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
***

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

Painting in the Garden District with Niki Gulley

“Pretty in Pink,” New Orleans  ©2014 Niki Gulley • 12″ x 9″ palette knife oil painting
New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 3, The Garden District

On our third day of the New Orleans workshop, we rode the trolley to the Garden District and set out to capture the beautiful architecture while the photographers went in search of the perfect shot. Several of us were attracted to this beautiful grand pink house, and in particular I loved the old oak tree framing it. That evening, we dined again on a delicious Cajun dinner at Brennan’s and took in some local talent at the jazz clubs afterwards. A fun 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
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
***

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