On the 7th day of Ireland Art Trek, we visited the magnificent Muckross House and Gardens, a mansion built in the 1800s. With acres of woodland, gardens and lakeside views, the photographers and tourists explored while us painters set up our easels in front of the manor house and colorful formal gardens. A challenging scene to capture with so much going on, we did our best to set the scene on our 9×12 canvases.

 

On the 6th afternoon of Ireland Art Trek, we continued to paint on the castle grounds while the photographers and tourists finished exploring the Dingle Peninsula. I chose to paint the castle’s guest house because I love how it was nestled back in the woods, feeling so nostalgic of a visit to grandma’s in the country. The massive unusual pine trees were so awe-inspiring that I used them to frame the right half of the scene, leading your eye down the path to the yellow house safely tucked in amongst the lush foliage. A soft light would appear off and on, illuminating the scene and creating that unique Irish light. That evening we all reconnected and dined again on another delicious dinner in town.

 

The next day of our Ireland Art Trek, the photographers and tourists ventured out to tour the Dingle Peninsula with its craggy coves, cute fishing villages and spectacular ocean views, stopping at castles,  Dingle town, waterfalls and various landmarks along the way. My painters wanted to stay at our castle grounds and paint right where we were lodging because the scenery was so beautiful. For our morning location, we set up our easels in the castle’s garden. The brilliance of the various greens was so intense that I had to capture that along with this romantic gazebo beckoning you to sit down and enjoy the view.

 

On the next morning of our Ireland Art Trek, we left for Killarney, making a pit stop in the adorable thatch-roofed town of Adare. After exploring and grabbing lunch, we drove onto our lodging for the next few nights, a 16th century castle, fit for a king! Dinner was also delicious that evening in the castle’s dining room.

 

On the fourth morning of our Ireland Art Trek, we explored the exotic Cliffs of Moher. Unfortunately, we received some of that Irish sunshine and only got in a quick glimpse before the sideways rain and wind got the best of us. Since the afternoon was washed out, too, we decided to paint our impressions back at the hotel. Several of the tourists went into town to shop and sightsee, and the photographers gathered around the fireplace to receive a lesson on Photoshop and Lightroom. It turned out to be a great day! That night we dined again on a delicious seafood dinner at a cozy garden restaurant nearby.

 

 

After spending the first two days of our Ireland Art Trek in Dublin, we moved onto the happening city of Galway next. After a quick bite, us painters set up our easels along the “Long Walk” to capture the colorful houses along the cove while the photographers and tourists explored downtown and joined us later that afternoon. While we managed to stay dry, you can see from the painting that we had very dramatic skies and moody colors! A fun challenge to capture after coming from sunny Dallas, TX. That evening we checked into our hotel near the Cliffs of Moher and thoroughly enjoyed a delicious gourmet dinner that night.

 

On the first day of our Ireland Art Trek, we arrived in Dublin and got acquainted with the bustling city. After a good night’s sleep, we spent the next morning painting and exploring the grounds of Trinity College. The photographers shot inside the library and around campus while we set up our easels in this quiet courtyard. The architecture was fascinating, and I loved this wooden bench beckoning passers by to sit down and take in the sights. That afternoon we gave everyone free time to explore, photograph, shop, etc. and that evening we all reconnected for a traditional delicious Irish dinner of Guiness stew, fish and chips and various pies.

 

We had so many people who wanted to come along on our Tuscany Art Trek this year that we had enough interest to teach a second week! On the first day of our second Tuscany Art Trek, we set up and painted right at the villa where we were staying. The views are incredible of the surrounding valleys and hill towns, and I chose to paint this scene with lounge chairs and rose bush on the back of the property framing Pienza in the distance. For lunch we dined al fresco at the farmhouse on local meats, cheeses and amazing fruits and vegetables, and in the afternoon we went exploring in the countryside. A perfect first day in Tuscany!

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

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

On the first day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we set up and painted right at the villa where we were staying. The views are incredible of the surrounding valleys and hill towns, and I chose to paint this ancient well on the back of the property framing Pienza in the distance. For lunch we dined al fresco at the farmhouse on local meats, cheeses and amazing fruits and vegetables, and in the afternoon we went exploring in the countryside. A perfect first day in Tuscany!