plein-air painting lessons europe

Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 5, 2025

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

Provence Art Trek – Painting and Photography Workshop

with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 1

On the first night of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in southern France, we arrived at our B and B and went into town that evening for an amazing dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant. The food was out of this world, the weather was perfect for dining outside, and our new group was great company!

The next morning, our painters stayed at our b and b and painted right there since the grounds were so beautiful. I loved how the typical Provencal trees framed the composition and I could get a real sense for Cezanne’s love of the landscape. Meanwhile, the photographers visited a nearby 11th century Abbey and took some incredible photographs. We met up later that day and headed to the nearby town of Arles for lunch.

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Next year we will be leading a Foodie Trek to Tuscany, and an Art Trek to Cinque Terre, Italy, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! Details are available on ArtTreks.org.

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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Miles of Lavender Fields Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

April 15, 2025

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Provence Art Trek – Painting and Photography Workshop

with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 1

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If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Greece Art Trek
Full

Switzerland Art Trek
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2025
September 20-27, 2025
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

2026

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026

September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Coming Soon:
Portugal & Spain Foodie Treks – March
Croatia & Slovenia Art Treks – May/June

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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

July 28, 2023

Day 3, Provence Art Trek: Les Baux / Chateauneuf

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

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

On the third day of our Provence Art Trek, we visited the picturesque town of Les Baux, perched atop its rocky outcropping with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside below. Some folks visited the castle, galleries and shops while the painters set up in this quiet plaza capturing the unique stone residences, medieval cathedral or picturesque courtyard.

In the afternoon we went to one of the most renowned wine towns in the world and sampled some amazing Chateaunef du Pape wines.

Next year we will be leading a Foodie Trek to Spain in March and Tuscany in October, and in August we’ll be teaching an Art Trek in Iceland. So if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! Details available at http://www.arttreks.org.

***

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist paintings.

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Visiting Arles with Artists Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 27, 2023

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Day 2, Afternoon Location: Arles

Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Recently we lead an Art Trek to Provence where we visited the ancient Roman city of Arles, and also where Van Gogh lived for 18 months. While retracing the famous artist’s footsteps, we got to experience his colorful vision of rather ordinary painting locations. Last stop on this impressionist’s tour, we chose to paint at the asylum where he stayed, creating our own versions of the lovely courtyard garden. What an amazing experience to feel his presence and channel our own inner Van Gogh!

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.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 26, 2023

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

Provence Art Trek – Painting and Photography Workshop

with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 1

***

Next summer we will be leading a Foodie Trek to Spain and Tuscany, and an Art Trek to Iceland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! Details are available on ArtTreks.org.

***

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Niki Gulley is the Featured Artist at the Goodrich Gallery this Month

November 25, 2019

Niki Gulley Painting in Tuscany

I’m excited to be the featured artist at the Goodrich Gallery in downtown Dallas this month! Our local newspaper, The White Rock Lake Weekly, published an article written by Anne McDonald Duthie detailing highlights from the show. Please check it out at http://whiterocklakeweekly.com/local-artist-captures-poetic-landscapes/.

If you’d like to see the show in person, please visit:

The Goodrich Gallery – One Woman Show: Niki Gulley

Nov. 1st – Dec. 1st

Gallery hours: Saturdays: 9 a.m. – Noon Sundays: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

1928 Ross Avenue Dallas, Texas 75201

(214) 220-2727

firstchurchdallas.org/goodrich-gallery-calendar-of-artists/

firstchurchdallas.org

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If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland – Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020

Paris – May 2021

Portugal – Sept. 2021

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

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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

“Morning Shadows,” Provence by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 21, 2019

12″ x 9″ textured oil painting

On the first night of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in southern France, we arrived at our B and B and went into town that evening for a wine tasting and amazing dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant. The food was out of this world, the weather was perfect for dining outside, and our new group was great company!

The next morning, our painters stayed at our b and b and painted right there since the grounds were so beautiful.The light raking across the balcony and shutters was so dramatic, and I loved how the gnarly trees framed the composition to make a window within a window. Meanwhile, the photographers visited a nearby 11th century Abbey and took some incredible photographs. We met up later that day and headed to the nearby town of Arles for lunch.

Wine tasting in Provence.

•••

To see “Morning Shadows” on display until Nov. 30th, please visit:

The Goodrich Gallery – One Woman Show: Niki Gulley

Nov. 1st – Nov. 30th

Gallery hours: Saturdays: 9 a.m. – Noon Sundays: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

1928 Ross Avenue Dallas, Texas 75201

(214) 220-2727

firstchurchdallas.org/goodrich-gallery-calendar-of-artists/

firstchurchdallas.org

***

If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland – Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020

Paris – May 2021

Portugal – Sept. 2021

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

***

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Andalusia, Spain Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 9, 2019

Day 1 – Toledo, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

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

Just Sold! On the first full day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in southern Spain, the painters set up their easels at this gorgeous overlook of the river below and the San Martin bridge built in the 14th century. Meanwhile the photographers and tourists visited the major sites in the city from Medieval synagogues, churches and mosques to wandering the labyrinth of streets and shops. Meeting up for lunch, we dined al fresco on paella, fresh salads and stews, while we swapped experiences from our morning.

Painting at the San Martin bridge overlook

Next summer we will be leading three different Art Treks / Foodie to Tuscany, Greece and Iceland. So if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! See details at ArtTreks.org.

Please check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist landscape oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Visiting the Alhambra Palace with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 19, 2019

Day 3 – Granada, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

“Morning Shadows in the Rose Garden” • 12″ x 9″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

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

On the third day of our Spain Art Trek, we visited the Alhambra palace, one of the world’s true architectural marvels and the seat of power from Moorish to Christian rule, dating back to the 14th century. This stunning fortress is the culmination of Moorish design and has some of the best maintained late-Medieval gardens. The Generalife grounds were so gorgeous, bursting with cascading roses and dramatically lit pathways that we set up our easels there to paint while the photographers and tourists toured more of the grounds. Later that day, we met for lunch and continued our tour of the Alcazar.