plein air painting workshop

Agriturismo Cooking Class in the Italian Countryside with Foodie Treks

November 13, 2025

16″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

by Niki Gulley

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 5: Cooking Class in the Countryside

Today we had our second cooking class today at a fully operating agriturismo. We started making a hand rolled Pici pasta with homemade tomato sauce. Then we moved onto creating a salt crusted pork loin stuffed with herbs, along with roasted veggies. Finally we finished with wine cookies dusted in cinnamon sugar. We also got a chance to tour the farm and cheese making facility. Finally, we reaped the fruits of our labors with some cheese tasting and dining on the delicious meal we cooked, always having a great time!!! Life is so good.

For my painting today, you never know what’s going to happen when you set up on location. Today was rather warm so I chose this shady overlook with views of the beautiful vineyard below. It seemed like a nice, quiet spot. Then came 5 pm, which turns out was social hour for the local guys.

Some stared with crossed arms and facial expressions like they just ate lemons, some paced by craning their necks and one friendly man invited us in Italian to see his home up close since it was the vineyard next to where I was painting. It’s never dull!

To see a video of my process, check out https://www.instagram.com/p/DOv2N5zDO9n//

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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.

******

If you’d like to join us on one of our fun-filled upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Iceland Art Trek
Aug. 3-10, 2026

https://www.arttreks.org/iceland-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026

September 26 – October 3, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

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

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.

“Laundry Day II” Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

August 8, 2025

5″ x 7″ textured oil painting on panel

I had to capture this laundry drying with a cool morning breeze set against a peeling paint backdrop in the back canals of Venice. Dramatic lighting made the sheets glow in the morning sun. I love the rich colors Europeans paint their houses!

We are excited to announce a new Art Trek for next year, where you will feel like you’ve stepped into a different time and world, like right out of a movie set. We’re elated to be returning to Venice, Italy in February 2026 for the costumed fantasy that occurs during Carnival. We’re already about half full, so let us know if you’d like to come along.

And, while our Switzerland Trek is completely booked this month, we actually have 2 spots open in our Tuscany Foodie Trek this coming September. Always everyone’s favorite trip, please let us know if you would like to join us on that delicious gastronomic journey!

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Carnivalé Art Trek – Venice, Italy 2026
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings – Aug. 9th

https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-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
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

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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NikiGulley.com

E-mail – Niki Gulley

New Santorini Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

June 25, 2025

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

I painted this peaceful scene after we finished leading our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Santorini, Greece. Having loved taking in this view from our balcony for the past several days, I just had to capture that gorgeous overlook on canvas. With its beautiful white-washed buildings and the deep blue Aegean background, Santorini is one of the most romantic places we have visited. The table set for two invites you and your loved one to relax, enjoy a glass of wine and let all of your cares slip away. Paradise!

***

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

***

If you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks!

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

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
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

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

Tuscany Foodie Trek Sadly Concludes with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

February 3, 2025

SOLD • 20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

Day 7, Pienza: TUSCANY FOODIE TREK

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Just sold! On the last day of our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we explored nearby Pienza to enjoy its picturesque alleyways and amazing views of the valleys below. Having been home to Pope Pius II, the town is filled with interesting historical sites, great shopping, delicious lunch spots and plenty of inspirational scenery to paint. From one of the overlooks, I chose this beautiful vineyard perched above the rolling hills for my subject. Diagonally planted grapevines lead your eye to the quintessential Tuscan farmhouse, surrounded by cypress and jaw-dropping views. May this one transport you to this magical place!

We capped the night off with an amazing Michelin dinner surrounded by new friends and drifted off to sleep, full, happy and at peace.

Making pasta memories!

***

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.

***

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

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Full

Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

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

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.

Vineyard Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

January 20, 2025

16″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

by Niki Gulley

Just Sold! We visited Tuscany this fall and were surrounded by grapevines everywhere we went, with the gorgeous, plump purple grapes ready to harvest at any moment. I loved these vibrant vines in the foreground framing the rolling hills in the distance. Setting up my easel across from this vineyard, I created this textured painting with palette knife and a lot of paint. I arranged the planted vines to lead your eye across the canvas, stopping at the Tuscan villa on your way. Morning light cast deep purple shadows on the ground and caused the leaves and soil to glow. As a treat when I finished, we enjoyed a picnic of salami, proscuitto, pecorino and of course, vino. Yum!

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

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

***

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

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Full
Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
New Date – September 20-27, 2025
Just a couple of spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

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.

***

“Popping Magic” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

January 7, 2025

18″ x 24″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

I painted “Popping Magic III” this spring not too far from my home. This might have been one of the best years for the poppies and wildflowers. The explosion of color was incredible! This morning started out slightly overcast, and the sun kept peeking in and out of the clouds, creating a soft glow to everything it touched. I wanted to capture that radiant light and joyful energy illuminating your journey as you wander through this magical field of blooming glory. I hope you, too, can feel the excitement of springtime with the wildflowers abloom!

For details on more of my Texas paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

•••

To purchase this piece, please go to goodartcompany.com/gacart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25&sort=20a&page=1&zenid=417ih04llasuk7pl1h0qhj32k1.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Sadly Concludes with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

December 4, 2024

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

Day 7, Pienza: TUSCANY FOODIE TREK

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the last day of our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we explored nearby Pienza to enjoy its picturesque alleyways and amazing views of the valleys below. Having been home to Pope Pius II, the town is filled with interesting historical sites, great shopping, delicious lunch spots and plenty of inspirational scenery to paint. From one of the overlooks, I chose this beautiful vineyard perched above the rolling hills for my subject. Diagonally planted grapevines lead your eye to the quintessential Tuscan farmhouse, surrounded by cypress and jaw-dropping views. May this one transport you to this magical place!

We capped the night off with an amazing Michelin dinner surrounded by new friends and drifted off to sleep, full, happy and at peace.

Making pasta memories!

***

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.

***

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.

New Vineyard Painting by Palette Knife Artis Niki Gulley

November 21, 2024

16″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

by Niki Gulley

We visited Tuscany this fall and were surrounded by grapevines everywhere we went, with the gorgeous, plump purple grapes ready to harvest at any moment. I loved these vibrant vines in the foreground framing the rolling hills in the distance. Setting up my easel across from this vineyard, I created this textured painting with palette knife and a lot of paint. I arranged the planted vines to lead your eye across the canvas, stopping at the Tuscan villa on your way. Morning light cast deep purple shadows on the ground and caused the leaves and soil to glow. As a treat when I finished, we enjoyed a picnic of salami, proscuitto, pecorino and of course, vino. Yum!

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

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

***

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

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Only 1 Spot Left!
Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
New Date – September 20-27, 2025
Just a couple of spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

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.

***

Colorful Winter Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

January 16, 2024

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Available at https://www.nikigulley.com/morning-flow/.

My husband and I recently visited Iceland to gather new inspiration on film and canvas. Going in March so that we could see the northern lights, we were often greeted by snowfall and an occasional blizzard! Today was one of the days where it was too windy to paint or photograph outside so we aimed the car towards this gorgeous vista and I painted from protection of the passenger seat. I loved the play of colors with the blue of the river and sky contrasted against the golden grasses and mountains. The red branches on the winter shrubbery were particularly beautiful and I wanted to feature them in the foreground next to the focal point, meanwhile a light dusting of snow still frosts the ground and adds to the dreamlike landscape.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

Or, for one click shopping to purchase, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/morning-flow/.

***

If you’re interested in joining us in 2024 on our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Iceland this coming August or on a future Art Trek or Foodie Trek, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

***

“Popping Magic” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 3, 2023

18″ x 24″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

For details on more of my Texas paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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