Tag: photo tours

Painting in Montepulciano with Niki Gulley

September 28, 2012
12×9 textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 2, Montepulciano – Tuscany Art Trek
With a little more time before our afternoon winery tour, we decided to work on another painting. I chose this view of the tile rooftops below spreading out in front of the valley. I loved the puzzle piece feel of the buildings, zigzagging in all different directions, clinging to the steep drop below with the fields of crops also adding their criss crossing patterns to the jigsaw puzzle.
If you’d like to join us for next year’s Art Trek to Venice in February, Greece in May, Tuscany in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como in September, please visit NikiGulley.com/Artreks for more information. Workshops fill up quickly, so please let us know if you are interested. The early deadline and to receive a $500 savings for the Venice workshop is less than a month away.



If you have questions about the Art Treks workshops or are interested in purchasing any of my plein air paintings, please e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

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US Classes and Workshops – nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Travel Art Treks and Plein Air Workshops – nikigulley.com/artreks/
Available Paintings – NikiGulley.com

Last Day of the Santa Fe Art Trek w/ Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

September 12, 2012
SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  
Day 5, afternoon critique & dinner
We finished our Santa Fe Art Trek with a final critique, sharing our work from the various locations. Above you can see each student’s interpretation of the Rio Chama. I love how every painter’s personality comes through in their work and how uniquely each one saw the same scene. Below are a few more examples of our paintings and pastels from the day we painted in Santa Fe.

To complete the week, those who could make it to dinner enjoyed some delicious red and green chile dishes at La Choza, as we reminisced about the trip and enjoyed our last night together before driving home the next day. A perfect week in Santa Fe!
Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.For new classes and workshops in Texas this fall, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Santa Fe Art Trek, Day 4

September 5, 2012
SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  
Day 4, morning location – Rio Chama
8″ x 10″ oil by Niki Gulley
A quick study of the rock formations and road cutting through them.
One of our students painting at the Rio Chama.
Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.For new classes and workshops in Texas this fall, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Plein-Air Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley – Day 6, Monet’s Gardens

June 25, 2012
Monet’s Gardens, Giverny, France • 9” x 12″ oil painting by Niki Gulley
Day 6 – Art Trek Paris with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Between loving the picturesque setting and the excitement of painting in Monet’s footsteps, we were inspired to keep creating. With the sun almost overhead but softly filtered by the trees, the colors and reflections on the pond looked completely different than in the early hours, just as Monet’s canvases varied so much depending on the time of day and month he painted. We adjusted our colors accordingly and increased our contrast from the noon sun, and then relished in the moment. What a perfect day!
Monet’s Gardens, Giverny, France

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If you would like to come along on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops to
Santa Fe, NM Aug. 12 – 18 (see nikigulley.com/art-classes) or
 Tuscany, Italy Aug. 31 – Sept. 8 (visit nikigulley.com/artreks),
please e-mail Niki Gulley for more information. Registration deadlines are quickly approaching. We’d love to have you join us!

***Or, if you would like to see this painting or more my plein air paintings and you are in the Chicago area this weekend, please stop by my booth at the Gold Coast Art Fair in Grant Park.Gold Coast ARt Fair

June 30 & July 1 • 10am – 6pm
Chicago, IL • Grant Park at the corner of Monroe & Lake Shore Dr.

See amdurproductions.com/art-festivals/Gold_Coast_Art_Fair_at_Grant_Park.html for more info.

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Plein Air Painting in Italy with Niki Gulley

March 9, 2012
“Chianti Trail” ©2012 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 30″ x 15″ pastel
I was commissioned to paint this vineyard and rolling hills backdrop based on my collectors’ fond memories of Tuscany. So, using some of my plein air sketches, photographs, and personal memories from our trips to the area, I created this pastel. Full of color and movement, I arranged the planted grapevines to lead your eye back to the Tuscan villa and then to the beautiful countryside beyond.

If you would like to come along on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops to Tuscany, Italy in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como, Italy in September visit nikigulley.com/artreks for more information. We’d love to have you join us!

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.
To see more of my paintings from Tuscany, visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

Plein Air Painting in Italy with Niki Gulley

March 2, 2012
“House on a Hill, Tuscany” ©2012 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 18″ x 36″ oil painting
This house on a hill painting was inspired by our first trip to Tuscany, where I fell in love with everything about the region. Medieval towns, cypress tree-lined roads and glorious sun drenched splendor of the rolling hills are just some of the allure of Tuscany. 
Imagine the inspiration derived from strolling the narrow cobble streets or taking in the panoramic views as the sun sweeps across the landscape spread out before you. Start your own renaissance by standing in the shadows where the masters once painted, all while experiencing the grandeur of Tuscany first hand. Capture the rich fall colors offset against cobalt blue skies, the rows of earth-hued vines, ripe with their succulent grape harvest, all while being warmed, literally, under a Tuscan sun.

Tuscany’s warmth is in more than the countryside, it’s within its people as you will discover while sampling the region’s abundant wines, savory fruit and amazing varieties of cheese. There is nothing like getting to know a culture and experiencing a sense of place. It is a journey for the senses, not only visually and intellectually, but for the palate as well.

Whether you are a painter or photographer, our unique Art Treks have been designed to allow you to hone your skills and expand your creativity, all while you further your artistic voice. Choosing which aspect interests you, we will help guide you to capture the architecture and breathtaking vistas flooded with their extraordinary quality of light, on either canvas or film. If you would like to join us on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops to Paris, France in May, Tuscany, Italy in September, or Cinque Terre / Lake Como, Italy in September visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

Registration deadline is March 1st.
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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

To see more of my paintings from Italy, visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

“Loosening Up” Painting workshop

February 6, 2012
“Flowing Radiance,” Monet’s Gardens ©2012 Niki Gulley
12” x 24” textured oil on wrap around canvas

My initial study for a 48″ x 90″ triptych, but I love how this small oil turned out, too! Inspired by Monet’s Gardens in Giverny, France, I wanted to paint a contemporary rendition of his lily pond, which would be flowing with color, light, warmth and energy.

If you’d like more information on this painting, please me at Niki Gulley. Or, if you’d like to create paintings with more freedom and expression, please join me Feb. 18th and 19th for a workshop I’m teaching on “Loosening Up.” 
“Loosening Up” Painting Workshop
Feb. 18 and / or Feb. 19
Dallas, TX
See nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 for details and to register.
Also, Scott Williams and I will be leading a plein air painting / photography workshop in Paris, France this May. If you join us, you too could paint Monet’s Gardens in person! Visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420, which goes into detail on our Paris, Italy, and Santa Fe Art Treks. Paris and Tuscany are filling up quickly, so let us know if you would like to come along for one of these amazing trips!
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If you have any questions, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

To see more of my contemporary landscape oil paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley & Scott Williams

January 13, 2012
“Bellagio,” Lake Como, Italy ©2012 Niki Gulley
SOLD • pastel 8″ x 10″
Lake Como, Italy is probably my favorite spot from all of our travels. The vistas are simply breathtaking with the alps in the background, the gorgeous blue of the lake, the brightly painted buildings and the lush foliage dotting the magnificent gardens. I liked how the flowers framing this view of Bellagio mimicked the hues of the town’s architecture and added a colorful contrast to the blues of the lake and distant mountains.

If you’d like to join us in Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy this Sept. 8th – 16th for our next Plein-Air Painting / Photography Workshop, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420. If you sign up by Jan. 13th, you’ll save $500 off the cost of the trip!
To see more of my paintings from Italy visit NikiGulley.com.

“Riomaggiore” pastel

January 11, 2012
“Riomaggiore,” Cinque Terre, Italy ©2011 Niki Gulley
SOLD • pastel 5″ x 7″
From our trip to the Cinque Terre along Italy’s west coast, Riomaggiore is one of my favorite harbors. I love the colorful buildings and the amazing way they are stair-stepped and stacked one on top of each other along this hilly coastline. The view from up top is amazing, too!

If you’d like to join us in Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy this Sept. 8th – 16th for our next Plein-Air Painting / Photography Workshop, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420. Sign up by Jan. 13th and save $500!
To see more of my travel landscapes and Italy paintings visit NikiGulley.com.

Lake Como, Italy oil painting

January 6, 2012
“Peaceful Harbor,” Lake Como, Italy ©2012 Niki Gulley
oil on canvas • 24″ x 36″
Lake Como, Italy is probably my favorite spot from all of our travels. The vistas are simply breathtaking with the alps in the background, the gorgeous blue of the lake, the brightly colored unique buildings and the lush foliage dotting the magnificent gardens. I love this little laid back town of Varenna, which is so peaceful that all of your cares just melt away. 

If you’d like to join us in Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy this Sept. 8th – 16th for our next Plein-Air Painting / Photography Workshop, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420. If you sign up by Jan. 13th, you’ll save $500 off the cost of the trip!
To see more of my paintings from Italy visit NikiGulley.com.