“Flying High” Palette Knife Painting from New Orleans by Niki Gulley

          

 
“Flying High,” New Orleans  ©2022 Niki Gulley • 12″ x 9″ palette knife oil painting
 
New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2, Afternoon Location: The French Quarter
 
This was one of those quaint corridors that was just bursting with vibrant colors in the French Quarter. It was hard to decide what to paint, with all of the picturesque cafes and stores lining the walk. What really caught my eye though, were all of bright flags flapping in the afternoon breeze. 
 
If you’re interested in purchasing this painting, just follow this link https://www.nikigulley.com/flying-high/.
 

 

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

 

 

 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 

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https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

New Orleans Garden District Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

 

          

“Oak Beauties,” New Orleans  ©2022 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, 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.
 

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

 

 

 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 
 

“Going to Class” from Oxford by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Going to Class” ©2022 Niki Gulley 
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting
 
 
Inspired from a visit to Oxford, England, I loved the feel and energy of the old college town. We stopped in our tracks one day as we were passing in front of this Ivy covered wall, almost engulfing the massive hand-carved wooden door. Golden light was raking across the scene, beckoning you to take a look and go inside. The fact that the bike was parked right there, made it the perfect photo opp and later in the studio, the perfect painting subject.
 
 
 

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

 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

New Contemporary Impressionistic Ocean Painting by Niki Gulley

 

12″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
©2022 Niki Gulley 

I love everything about going to the beach. I love gazing into the endless horizon while listening to the rhythmic sounds of waves crashing against the shore. I love feeling the warmth of the sun against my skin while the cool sand squishes between my toes. And, I love how all of my cares disappear and I feel completely at peace engulfed in the moment.

So, getting to paint along the shoreline is almost as close as it gets to perfection! Here is one of the paintings I created early in the morning along the Costa del Sol in Spain. I hope you, too, can feel the joy and serenity of gazing at the ocean in this piece.

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

New “Cypress Glory II” Palette Knife Tuscany Painting by Niki Gulley

 

“Cypress Glory II” ©2022 Niki Gulley 
10″ x 20″ textured oil painting
 
I absolutely love Tuscany and find inspiration everywhere I look. Tonight 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 France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
2023 Schedule
Venice – Carnivalé 
Art Trek – Feb. 12-18
Tuscany
Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3
Provence
Art Trek – June 24- July 1
 

 

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 

 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 

 

 
 

Long and Winding Cypress Road Painting by Niki Gulley

 

SOLD • 6″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas ©2022 Niki Gulley
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 5:  Italian Renaisance Garden
 
Today we visited an operating Italian Renaissance garden. Formal and organized with clipped boxwoods and plantings in symmetrical stone urns, impressive travertine column staircases, and the largest indoor potted citrus grove in the area, it was interesting to see the contrast between an Italian garden and an American garden, and the challenges of getting irrigation to the remote property. 
 
I was also able to paint this unique view from near the gardens of this long, winding road dotted with cypress trees – quintessential Tuscany!
 
 
***
 

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
***
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
2023 Schedule
Venice – Carnivalé 
Art Trek – Feb. 12-18
Tuscany
Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3
Provence
Art Trek – June 24- July 1
 

 

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

 

New Rooftop Overlook from Tuscany by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel ©2022 Niki Gulley 
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 3:  Montepulciano, Italy
 
During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Scott took our group on a tour of the city, making sure to visit the underground Etruscan tunnels, stopping at some of the wineries for some samples and allowing everyone to do some shopping.
 
Meanwhile, I set up my easel at this breathtaking overlook. 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 into 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. 
 
 
 
 

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
***
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
2023 Schedule
Venice – Carnivalé 
Art Trek – Feb. 12-18
Tuscany
Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3
Provence
Art Trek – June 24- July 1
 

 

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

 

Tuscany Foodie Trek Led by Artists Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel  ©2022 Niki Gulley 
 
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 4:  Cooking Class with Restaurant Chef
 
After another gorgeous leisurely morning at our villa, we all enjoyed learning how to cook authentic Tuscan food from a restaurant chef in one of the neighboring hill towns. From rolling out pici pasta to stuffing squash blossoms, to indulging in the most delicious tiramisu, we feasted like kings for lunch, savoring the fruits of our labor while also learning and sampling some of the region’s best wines. 
 
 

That afternoon after a stopping for a couple of scenic photos of the Italian countryside we returned to relax at the villa. Above you can see one of the most iconic stops in Tuscany. And, I’ve always been attracted to this lone clump of cypress trees. Today, I liked how the late afternoon sun was casting such long dramatic shadows on the ground and I decide to accentuate the cool blues and violets I saw in the darks to contrast with the gold rolling hills. I decided to have fun with the colors and strokes to add to the excitement and drama of the moment.

 

That evening we went into town 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!

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
***
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
2023 Schedule
Venice – Carnivalé 
Art Trek – Feb. 12-18
Tuscany
Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3
Provence
Art Trek – June 24- July 1
 

 

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

 

Tuscany Foodie Trek with Scott Williams and Niki Gulley

 

View from our Villa, Tuscany ©2022 Niki Gulley • 16″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
Day 1, Tuscany Foodie Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 

On the first day of our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we picked everyone up from the Rome airport and drove them to our new abode for the next week, nestled amongst the rolling Tuscan hills.  The villa is beautiful and the view so spectacular that we just relax and soak in that gorgeous scenery the first day. Some people enjoyed the pool while others got settled in. That night we had a chef prepare a 7 course authentic family meal right at the villa, washed down with some vino Nobile and prosecco. A great way to kick off the trip!

And, above you can see my first painting from the Trek. This is the spectacular view from the breakfast table at our villa. It’s soooo beautiful! I love watching the light and shadows form on the farmer’s field and the gorgeous rosemary and flowers in bloom in the foreground just added so much joy and color to the scene.

 

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
***
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
2023 Schedule
Venice – Carnivalé 
Art Trek – Feb. 12-18
Tuscany
Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3
Provence
Art Trek – June 24- July 1
 

 

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

 

Visiting Siena Italy with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams on their Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek

 

“Duomo,” Siena ©2022 Niki Gulley 
5″ x 7″ oil painting on panel
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2:  Siena, Italy
 
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.
 
 
That evening we enjoyed a delicious dinner with  pasta doing the backstroke in truffles and pecorino cream while sharing our experiences. What a fantastic day!
 
 
 

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
***
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
2023 Schedule
Venice – Carnivalé 
Art Trek – Feb. 12-18
Tuscany
Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3
Provence
Art Trek – June 24- July 1
 

 

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