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

“Wishing Well,” Siena ©2014 Niki Gulley • 7″ x 5″ oil painting 
Day 4, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the fourth day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we headed to the Medieval hill town of Siena, with its incredible marble Duomo, great people-watching plaza, and interesting alleyways radiating out from the campo with something new to discover around every turn. While some of our group shopped, some photographed and others relaxed on the square, I set up in one of the quiet cobble streets to capture the textures of their ancient walls and this unique old well. For dinner that night, we treated ourselves to a delicious dinner of Tuscan pizza, fresh local vegetables and of course, some amazing wines!
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 11-19, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
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To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

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

“Cypress Shadows,” Tuscany ©2014 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting
Day 3, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the third day of our Tuscany Art Trek, several of us attended a cooking class in Montepulciano from a Michelin-rated chef. We made hand-rolled pasta with a flavor-packed tomato sauce, osso buco, cheese soufflés and a delicious creamy tiramisu. After we were finished cooking, we sat down to sample our creations and wash it down with a little red wine. What an amazing experience! 
Later that afternoon, some of our group went onto see the formal Italian garden at La Foce while  some of us stayed and painted at the villa again. The late afternoon light was so beautiful how it cast its golden glow on the landscape and stone farmhouse, that we had to capture it before it was gone. Long deep shadows from the surrounding cypress trees draw your eye into the composition and set the peaceful mood of the evening.
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If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
The registration deadline of Nov. 15th for most trips is quickly approaching, so don’t wait! 
Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 11-19, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
***


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

Visiting Montepulciano and Tuscan Wineries with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Montepulciano ©2014 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting
Day 2, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

The next morning of our Tuscany Art Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Perched atop a giant hill with beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards below, we set up our easels at this breathtaking overlook. We had to work quickly to capture the morning light and soft clouds before they disappeared, while the photographers and the others explored ancient wine cellars, quiet back alleys and even got in a little shopping.
After lunch, we visited two wineries nearby to sample their Rossos, Vino Nobiles and the delicious sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo. Full from the local meats and cheeses and tasty red wines, we headed back to the villa for a quiet night of relaxing and soaking in the evening scenery.
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. The registration deadline of Nov. 15th for most trips is quickly approaching, so don’t wait!
Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 11-19, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
***

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

Day 1, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

View from our Villa, Tuscany ©2014 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting • SOLD
Day 1, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the first morning of our Tuscany Art Trek, my husband went over camera functions and tips with his photography students while my painters set up to capture this gorgeous view of the distant hills and farmhouse that we see from our breakfast table each morning. With a few clouds drifting by, there was a beautiful soft light and a symphony of autumn colors framed by the quintessential Tuscan cypress tree in the foreground. What a perfect morning!
That afternoon we continued painting at the villa while the photographers explored the scenic countryside, and we all gathered that evening 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!
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. The registration deadline of Nov. 15th for most trips is quickly approaching, so don’t wait!
Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 11-19, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
***

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

Upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Tuscany with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

“Standing Tall, Tuscany”©2014 Niki Gulley
10″ x 8″ textured oil painting 

On our last Tuscany Art Trek, we chose these perfectly planted cypress trees so characteristic of Tuscany for our subject that day. Set against a bright blue sky and peaceful sweeping clouds, the setting was so serene and uplifting. For dinner that night, we treated ourselves to the “truffle tasting menu,” melted pecorino and honey, Florentine steak and a little vino nobile and vin santo to wash them down. Delicious food and great company with new friends!

If you’d like to join us in Tuscany for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 5th-13th, please let me know. The final registration deadline of Jan. 25th is quickly approaching! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
Upcoming Art Treks
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014
Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014
 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014



Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

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E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

New Tuscany Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

“Breaking Through,” Tuscany ©2013 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 24″ x 12″ textured mixed media on wrap around canvas
Just Sold at the Good Art Company! Inspired by our travels to Italy, cypress trees rise out of the vast open landscape signaling that you have arrived in Tuscany! Working from my oil sketch that I painted during our Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop last year, I created this larger version back in my studio, including more of the dramatic clouds swirling above the cypress trees for a tall vertical panorama and added energy.

If you’d like to join us in Tuscany next year for our Plein Air Painting / Photography Art Trek, Sept. 5th – 13th, please let me know. This is one of our most popular workshops and space is going quickly. For more details, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

Also, several of my contemporary impressionistic landscapes are on display at the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact http://www.goodartcompany.com/gac/.
Or, to see more of my palette knife paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.
For more information on my plein air paintings and workshops in Italy and France, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Last Night, Lake Como / Cinque Terre Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 7:  CINQUE TERRE / LAKE COMO ART TREK
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

After some free time in the afternoon, we gathered for a slide show, critique and recap happy hour of our trip. It’s always so much fun to see how every photographer and painter captures the scenery so differently, even sometimes when we are standing in the exact same spot and it’s a great way to revisit memories from our week. For dinner that night, we treated ourselves to a gourmet meal with incredible views of the lake from the restaurant’s terrace. A perfect ending to a wonderful trip!
A quick sunset sketch of Lake Como • 8″ x 10″ oil painting by Niki Gulley
If you’d like to join us in Cinque Terre / Lake Como for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 12th-21st, please let me know.  For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
Upcoming Art Treks
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014
Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014
 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014



Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Workshops fill up fast, so don’t wait to register!

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.
***
To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

Day 5, Lake Como, Italy Plein Air Painting and Photo Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

12″ x 9″ oil painting by Niki Gulley
Day 5, Lake Como: Villa Balbianello
 CINQUE TERRE / LAKE COMO ART TREK
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the fifth day of our Cinque Terre / Lake Como Art Trek, we awoke to a gorgeous morning. We rode the ferry to Lenno, and then arrived in style by private water taxi at the beautiful, lush Villa Balbianello. Perched on a cliff overlooking the lake, the manor and tropical gardens are immaculately maintained and exquisite. While difficult to figure out how to capture that beauty on film or canvas, we were up for the challenge and loved every minute of the idyllic setting. 
If you’d like to join us in Cinque Terre / Lake Como for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 12th-21st, please let me know. The workshop is already half full and a final registration deadline of this Saturday is quickly approaching, so sign up soon! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
Upcoming Art Treks
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014
Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014
 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014



Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Registration Deadline: Saturday Nov. 2nd

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.
***
To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9″ x 12″ oil painting by Niki Gulley
Day 4, Lake Como:  CINQUE TERRE / LAKE COMO ART TREK
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

The next day, we loaded everyone into the van and headed to the beautiful, peaceful town of Varenna on Lake Como. After checking into our hotel with incredible views of the lake and town below, we visited the lush Italian garden of Villa Monastero. It was a perfect afternoon and while the photographers strolled the gardens, we set up our easels by this gorgeous colorful flower bed and the ornate villa behind it. I loved the lion statues adorning the entry and set out to capture the scene before we lost our light. Finishing a little early, we grabbed a glass of prosecco and took in the tranquil views across the lake. For dinner that night, we sampled the local fish and pastas, washed down with a delicious red wine.
If you’d like to join us in Cinque Terre / Lake Como for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 12th-21st, please let me know. The workshop is already half full and a final registration deadline of next Saturday is quickly approaching, so sign up soon! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
Upcoming Art Treks
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014
Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014
 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014



Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Registration Deadline: Saturday Nov. 2nd

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.
***
To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

Day 3, Cinque Terre Plein-Air Painting / Photo Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9″ x 12″ pastel by Niki Gulley
Day 3, Manarola:  CINQUE TERRE / LAKE COMO ART TREK
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On our third day in the Cinque Terre, us painters set up our easels from the hiking trail to look back at the town of Manarola while the photographers hiked around the town of Cornelia in the morning and joined us in Manarola in the afternoon. Since we had more time today, we all decide to paint the intricate stacked buildings in front of us and once again, listen to the sound of the waves crashing below us.

For dinner, we dined al fresco along the waterfront with a fantastic meal of fresh seafood and grilled fish and a little red wine to wash it down! A perfect ending to our Cinque Terre portion of our Art Trek.
If you’d like to join us in Cinque Terre / Lake Como for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 12th-21st, please let me know. The workshop is already half full and a final registration deadline of Nov. 2nd is quickly approaching, so sign up soon! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.
Upcoming Art Treks
Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014
Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014
 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014



Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.
***
To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.