Tag: Plein air painting workshops

Iceland Art Trek with Painter Niki Gulley and Photographer Scott Williams

July 5, 2025
“The Black Church III” 5″ x 7” textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley
 
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Day 6 – Snaefellsnes Peninsula

 

 

We continued our Art Treks adventure around the country to the west, finishing our trip on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The last stop on our itinerary was to visit the famous Black Church. Being the only church made of black construction material on the island, its distinctive appearance stands out rising out of a relatively large, flat plateau. The weather turned a little for the worse today, but this was such a dedicated group of painters. Even a little wind and drizzle wasn’t going to stop them!
 
In this piece, I wanted to capture not only the church’s color and shape, but the dramatic clouds surrounding it. Working with palette knife and thick paint, this little piece is loaded with texture, color and movement. 
 
 
And, to treat ourselves at the end of the trip, we went to one of the few Michelin restaurants on the island and had the most delicious, fresh meal with newfound friends. None of us were ready for the trip to end!
 

 

 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

 

 
***
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

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

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. 

Palette Knife Waterfall Painting by Niki Gulley

July 4, 2025

 

“Cascading” 20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel by Niki Gulley

 

So many waterfalls, so little time! The weather dried out, warmed up and the “breeze” calmed down in Iceland today. Yeah!!! I was in my element getting to paint this amazing 500 foot tall, mult-tiered cascade. I hope you, too, can feel the joy, peace and energy of this beautiful location.
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

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

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. 
 

 

Last Day of Our Iceland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 3, 2025
 
“Viking Village” 9″ x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel by Niki Gulley
 
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Day 7 – Kirkjufell
 
We completed our Iceland Art Trek that we taught on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, with its other worldly scenery. Our last stop was Kirkjufell, the cone shaped “church” mountain and its waterfall on the north side of the peninsula, and also the most photographed spot in Iceland. We had just enough time while the photographers were capturing its beauty to start one last painting. Everyone chose a different subject today, and I focused in on this cute town across the bay. Dramatic clouds caused the village to glow against the shadowed mountain, and I had fun playing with shapes and light with my palette knife.
 
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 
***
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. 

***

Painting Iceland’s Gorgeous Coastline in Palette Knife by Niki Gulley

July 2, 2025
 
“Floating Contemplation” 10″ x 20″  textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley
 

 

Every day when we left our Iceland hotel to explore the country’s other worldly scenery, we would pass this house situated next to the ocean. Nestled between the Atlantic and inland estuaries, I could just imagine what the idyllic views would be like staying there. So today we stopped so I could capture this serene escape, and bring you along with us.   

To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

 

 
***
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 
***
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. 

***

Painting in Iceland with Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

July 1, 2025

  

 
SOLD • “In the Valley” 9″ x 12” textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley
 

 

Just Sold! Today the painters in our Art Treks group stayed right on the beautiful grounds of our hotel to paint the dramatic scenery. Meanwhile, our photographers and tourists went off exploring. We had the day all to ourselves with the exception of the curious hotel staff, and could really immerse ourselves in the cathartic process of painting. I hope you enjoy the escape with us to the peaceful exotic hills and vast open spaces that are what so many fall in love with in Iceland.
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

 

 
***
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 
***
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. 

Palette Knife Painting in Iceland with Niki Gulley

June 30, 2025

 

 
20″ x 10” textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley

 

Another quaint house in this idyllic Icelandic landscape. Another challenging painting day in 40 mph winds! And yet another painting created from the rental car’s front seat. Are you picking up a trend??? I really did love their picturesque front yard, the beautiful golden afternoon light, and how flattered the home owner was that I was capturing his house!
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

 

 
***
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 
***
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. 

Plein Air Painting in Iceland with Artist Niki Gulley

June 27, 2025

 

 

 
“Relaxing View” 9″ x 12” textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley
 

 

Today the painters in our Art Treks group stayed right on the beautiful grounds of our hotel to paint the dramatic scenery. Meanwhile, our photographers and tourists went off exploring. We had the day all to ourselves with the exception of the curious hotel staff, who loved our paintings so much, they featured us on their Instagram page!
 
For our second painting that day, I chose this relaxing view from our patio. The Atlantic sits in the distance and the two chairs invite you to have a seat, take in nature’s beauty and leave all of your worries behind.
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

 

 
***
 

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 
***
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. 

Bougainvillea Painting from Santorini by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

June 26, 2025

 

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel by Niki Gulley

Santorini, Greece

Painted on location in Santorini, Greece, this Bougainvillea vine was so gorgeous that I just had to paint it. Gently stretching to the sky and framing the doorway, this magenta beauty formed the perfect welcoming entrance. In the distance you can see the white-washed architecture with the church perched at the top of the hill and the blue Aegean stretching beyond. Step inside, enjoy the view and let all of your cares slip away.


***
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. 

***

 

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

Last Day, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 23, 2025

 

 
Last Day, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

On the last day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Greece, we chose to paint in this lovely quiet park near our hotel, away from the hustle and bustle of tourists. With only a few locals passing through, we enjoyed the quiet, shaded escape. I loved their sycamore trees with their mottled bark, and this view framing the iconic white and blue architecture was perfect. Add a touch of the bougainvillea blooming in the foreground and I thought this summed up the beautiful feeling of Greece.
 
***
 

 

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. 

***

 

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

Day 2, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 16, 2025

 

 
Day 2, Greece Art Trek:  Santorini
12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

On the second full day of our Greece Art Trek, we flew to Santorini and gawked at the amazing view from our hotel overlooking the caldera. Our painters set up their easels right there since the scenery was so beautiful, while the photographers toured through town, shooting the white washed architecture and fantastic views of the ocean below. I chose this vantage of the rocky cliff dotted with dessert plants framing the vivid blue water and the town of Oia in the distance. Everything had a nice soft light that created subtle shadow and intense colors. The cool breeze and great company of our students made for the perfect afternoon painting.

Painting from the pool deck or our hotel!

View of Fira, Santorini

 
***

 

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

 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Greece series.
 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
 

***

 

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.