photography trips

Alsace, France Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

September 16, 2022

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Day 1, Alsace, France Art Trek: Kaysersberg

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

For our first Art Trek of 2022, we led our group to the fairytale villages of Alsace, France. Located along the French/German border, each town is a visual paradise consisting of brightly colored cross-timbered houses and flower boxes overflowing with vibrant, cheerful blooms. The hardest part is narrowing down what to paint!

On our first full day, we visited the picturesque town of Kaysersberg. Nestled on a peaceful river, this colorful village provided plenty of inspiration for our painters and photographers. We set up our easels to capture this waterfall and cross-timbered houses while the photographers and tourists explored the rest of town. Later that day, we returned to our home base town of Colmar, taking a leisurely boat ride through the canals and dined on an authentic Alsatian meal that evening. What a great way to start the trip!

Our painting view in Kaysersberg

Boat tour in Colmar

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my France painting series.

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

“Sunrise in St. Mark’s Square” Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

August 30, 2022

12″ x 16″ textured oil painting

I painted this piece on location in Venice during our Art Trek we taught in Venice while their infamous Carnival celebration was taking place. Since St. Mark’s Square can get overrun with tourists, we chose to get up with sunrise to enjoy the beauty of the city and the peacefulness of those early morning hours. I love the magical light that comes flooding in from the lagoon and is so distinctive of Venice. Fortunately, I got set up in time to capture the glow from the gas lamps, too, before they went out as daylight approached, adding to the mysterious quality of the plaza. Against a backdrop of the Doge’s Palace, a few people stroll across the square and signal the energy of the day that is to come.

To purchase this painting, check out nikigulley.com/sunrise-in-st-marks-square/.

To see more of my travel paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

***

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!

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

2023 Schedule

Venice – Carnivalé

Art Trek – Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek – June 24- July 1

•

New England

Art Trek – Oct. 10-15

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Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Day 3, Rialto Market

August 23, 2022

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting on panel

On the third day of our Venice Art Trek, we took a vaporetto tour of the island and got off at the Rialto bridge where we wandered the fruit, vegetable and fish markets. We left the photographers there to shoot while we set up our easels in this quiet spot marking the oldest restaurant in Venice. This bridge had so much character being made completely of wood, decorated in plantings and flanked by red and white poles that we just had to paint it!

If interested in seeing framing options and purchasing this Venice painting, please check out nikigulley.com/sentimental-journey/.

And, if you’d like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know.

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

2023 Schedule

Venice – Carnivalé

Art Trek – Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek – June 24- July 1

•

New England

Art Trek – Oct. 10-15

2024 Schedule

Spain

Foodie Trek – March

•

Portugal

Art Trek – March

•

Iceland

Art Trek – August

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – October

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

To see more of my plein air travel paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

“Gondola Ride II” Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

August 22, 2022

12″ x 9″ oil painting

I painted this piece on location during our Art Trek we taught in Venice while their infamous Carnival celebration was taking place. Since St. Mark’s Square can get overrun with tourists, we chose to set up our easels along a side street to enjoy the peacefulness and beauty of the city. I love the magical light that comes flooding in through the canals and is so distinctive of Venice. The simple brick bridge and the one yellow building in the distance sets a perfect backdrop to the gondolier rowing his enchanted passengers through the romantic back canals.

To purchase this Venetian oil painting, go to nikigulley.com/gondola-ride-ii/.

To see more of my travel paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

***

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. We’ll be returning to Venice for Carnivalé this coming February!

2023 Schedule

Venice – Carnivalé

Art Trek – Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek – June 24- July 1

•

New England

Art Trek – Oct. 10-15

2024 Schedule

Spain

Foodie Trek – March

•

Portugal

Art Trek – March

•

Iceland

Art Trek – August

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – October

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

***

NikiGulley.com

New “Sunrise in St. Mark’s Square” Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

March 25, 2022

12″ x 16″ textured oil painting

To purchase this painting, check out nikigulley.com/sunrise-in-st-marks-square/.

To see more of my travel paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

***

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!

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

***

Portugal’s Gorgeous Coastline Painted by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 26, 2021

SOLD • 12″ x 9″ textured oil painting on canvas panel

Portugal Art Trek:

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 4 – Evening Boat Ride

After returning from Obidos, we treated ourselves to a relaxing boat cruise along Cascais’ rocky shoreline and surrounding cities. Mother nature didn’t disappoint and we were able to enjoy a gorgeous sunset as we sipped on some local Portuguese wines!

Above you’ll see my interpretation of the coastline. I wanted this painting to be about the power of the ocean to lift your spirits. I also wanted to capture the gorgeous rock formations and the beautiful colors in the ocean. Whenever I visit the coastline I always feel rejuvenated, and I hope I’ve translated that onto the canvas for you to experience it, too.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Portugal painting series.

***

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks, including one to Alsace, France next August or on our Foodie Trek to Tuscany, please let us know.

Alsace, France – Aug. 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022 (wait list only) / Oct. 2023

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

NikiGulley.com

Painting Lisbon with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 25, 2021

6″ x 8″ textured oil painting on panel

Portugal Art Trek:

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 5 – Lisbon

Rounding out our adventure, we visited the bustling city of Lisbon. Most of our group visited the Carmo Convent, know as the church without a ceiling, and toured the city’s sights. Meanwhile, I set out to capture the colorful trolley and architecture which makes Lisbon so unique. I love the trolleys that run through Lisbon and thought this would be such a fun departure to paint. Of course, I also thought this one was always parked in one place (we’d never seen in move in the past) and I didn’t realize that it would not only be traveling every 10 minutes, but would also switch cars (when I started the painting it was the yellow car you see above)! Add to that the crowd that gathered behind me, and you get the joys and challenges of plein-air painting.

That afternoon, we attended a wine and port tasting with the most delicious bottles!

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Portugal painting series.

***

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks, including one to Alsace, France next August or on our Foodie Trek to Tuscany, please let us know.

Alsace, France – Aug. 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022 (wait list only) / Oct. 2023

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

NikiGulley.com

Niki Gulley and Scott Williams Lead Art Treks in Portugal

November 24, 2021

SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Portugal Art Trek:

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 6 – Jeronimos Monestary

After an action filled day in Lisbon, we took a slower pace the next day by visiting Cascais’ bustling Farmers’ Market and later that day, onto one of Lisbon’s the most visited sights, Jeronimos Monestary. Its architecture is unlike any other church, demonstrating the wealth in Portugal’s age of exploration.

Upon returning to Cascais, we just had to go for one more Port tasting, and fortunately the grapes did not disappoint! That evening, we dined on one of our best meals and relived the fun events of the trip.

(Picture at top you can see my painting from the Douro Valley where so may of Portugal’s delicious wines and ports originate. 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.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Portugal painting series.

***

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks, including one to Alsace, France next August or on our Foodie Trek to Tuscany, please let us know.

Alsace, France – Aug. 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022 (wait list only) / Oct. 2023

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

NikiGulley.com

Painting Portugal with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 23, 2021

SOLD • 5″ x 7″ textured oil painting

Portugal Art Trek:

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 7 – Cascais

On the final day of our Art Trek in Portugal that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led, we gave everyone the day to explore and visit whatever sights they chose. Just a short stroll from our accommodation, some visited the crashing oceans waves at Boca do Inferno while others toured the picturesque lighthouse standing watch. Others chose to explore the defensive walls of a 15th century fort guarding the harbor and a couple of other chose to just chill out at the beach and pool.

Being a water lover, I chose to spend as much of the day as I could near the ocean. Above you can find my painting of the coastline. I wanted this painting to be about the power of the ocean to lift your spirits. Whenever I visit the beach I always feel rejuvenated, and I hope I’ve translated that onto the canvas for you to experience it, too!

(Lighthouse and palaces in Cascais • Photo by Scott Williams)

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Portugal painting series.

***

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks, including one to Alsace, France next August or on our Foodie Trek to Tuscany, please let us know.

Alsace, France – Aug. 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022 (wait list only) / Oct. 2023

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

NikiGulley.com

Painting in Portugal with Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

November 22, 2021

SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting on panel

Portugal Art Trek:

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 4 – Obidos

For a change of pace, the next day we took a side trip to the quaint and colorful town of Obidos. This charming Portuguese walled town with narrow cobbled streets, traditional painted houses and medieval castle, is a perfect destination to immerse yourself in Portugal’s history. The white washed houses with colorful blue and yellow accents screamed that they needed an artist to try and capture their beauty and uniqueness. Then add the gorgeous, prolific bougainvillea blooming out of the cracks in the ground and you had the makings for a perfect painting!

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Portugal painting series.

***

If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks, including one to Alsace, France next August or on our Foodie Trek to Tuscany, please let us know.

Alsace, France – Aug. 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022 (wait list only) / Oct. 2023

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

NikiGulley.com