Tag: Plein air painting workshops

White Rock Lake Artists’ Studio Tour – Oct. 16 & 17

October 13, 2010

“Long Shadows,” Tuscany ©2010 Niki Gulley
8″ x 10″ pastel

After a delicious lunch of prosciutto and pecorinos on day three of our painting / photography workshop in Tuscany, we decided to venture into the countryside and paint this lone clump of cypress trees. With the simpler subject (and maybe a little Chianti at lunch!), everyone could relax and play, having fun pushing their colors and experimenting with their strokes. I liked how the late afternoon sun was casting such long dramatic shadows on the ground and I decide to accentuate the cool blues and violets I saw in the darks to contrast with the gold rolling hills.

If you’ve dreamt about painting in Tuscany, join us for our next Plein Air Painting Workshop in Sept. 2011. Visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 for more information or e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

To see my paintings, my husband’s (Scott Williams’) photographs, and our students’ creations from this year’s Venice & Tuscany painting and photography classes, stop by our “From Pasta to Schnitzel” art party Friday night at our studio in Dallas or the check out the White Rock Lake Artists’ Studio Tour Saturday and Sunday. For more information on the Studio Tour, see WhiteRockArtists.com.

Tuscany Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop

October 11, 2010

“Chasing the Light” ©2010 Niki Gulley
 8” x 10” oil painting

We just got back from teaching our plein air painting / photography workshop in Tuscany, and everyone had a fabulous time! Of course it would be hard not to when immersed in such beautiful scenery – gorgeous rolling hills that stretch for miles and mysteriously change shapes from the Tuscan sun light. I painted this piece right outside the front door of our villa, which was surrounded by amazing 360 degree views of the valleys and distant hill towns. Truly beautiful! With the constantly moving clouds causing the light to change minute to minute, our challenge was to paint the scene quickly and yet capture the mood created by the soft dramatic morning light.

If you’d like to see my recent Italian inspired landscapes, along with my students’ work, stop by my studio as part of the White Rock Artists’ Studio Tour this weekend in Dallas. WhiteRockArtists.com

If you’d like more information on our next painting / photography workshop in Greece this May or Tuscany September 2011, visit my website at

nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 for more information

or e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Table for Two pastel at Bayou City Art Festival

October 6, 2010


“Table for Two” by Niki Gulley
Pastel • 24” x 36”

My husband and I honeymooned in Greece and fell in love with the island of Santorini. It has to be one of the most romantic spots we’ve ever seen. The views from the top of the caldera were absolutely stunning with the blue Aegean below, and the white-washed stacked architecture is truly unique. We easily segued into the the relaxed laissez faire Greek pace after a day or two and thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the moment, dining seaside on delicious Mediterranean food and watching the sun set on the distant horizon.

If you’d like to join us next May on our Painting / Photography workshop in Greece, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 for more information. Or, closer to home I also teach in Dallas, with the next set of classes starting in January 2011. If you’d like more details, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

If you’re in Houston, TX this weekend, please stop by the Bayou City Art Festival to and my pastels in person. I’ll be displaying my work at booth #480 – on Walker St. between Bagby & Smith Streets facing City Hall. See BayouCityArtFestival.com for more information.

Plein Air Painting Workshops in the Greek Isles

September 24, 2010

“Walking on Water” © 2010 Niki Gulley
Oil painting • 12” x 9”

The crystal-clear turquoise and cobalt waters in Greece are an endless source of inspiration. I felt liked we’d stepped right into the set of Mama Mia and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants! It’s hard to believe someplace so beautiful actually exists. We can’t wait to take painters and photographers with us on next year’s workshop to share in the beauty and serenity of the Greek Isles.

Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop
Tuscany, Italy – September 2010 & 2011
Athens & Santorini, Greece – May 2011
Led by Niki Gulley & Scott Williams
Our trip to Tuscany for this year is full, but please join us next September in Tuscany or May 2011 in Greece.
Visit nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=13 for more details.
E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Painting Florence, Italy with Niki Gulley

September 20, 2010

“Evening Stroll” © 2010 Niki Gulley
Pastel 25” x 19”

Sadly our Tuscany workshop has come to an end. Everyone had a wonderful time, and I thank you guys for making this such a memorable trip! From the amazing Tuscan vistas dotted with cypress, wildflowers and grape-vines, to the cobbled medieval hill towns, to the world-class museums & history-filled architecture, to the mouth-watering pastas, cheeses, meats & of course, wines, we will treasure the memories forever.

Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop
Tuscany, Italy – September 2010 & 2011
Athens & Santorini, Greece – May 2011
Led by Niki Gulley & Scott Williams
Our trip to Tuscany for this year is full, but please join us next September in Tuscany or May 2011 in Greece.
Visit nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=13 for more details.
E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Tuscany Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley

April 15, 2010
“Crimson Waves,” Tuscany ©2010 Niki Gulley
oil on canvas • 18″ x 48″

Inspired by the gorgeous rolling hills and prolific poppy fields in Tuscany, I chose this location to experiment with a different technique utilizing extremely thick paint (1/4″ – 1/2″ in thickness) and palette knives. I was extremely pleased with the results – a three-dimensional painting that explodes with color and energy.

If you’d like to join us in Tuscany for our next Plein-air Painting / Photography Workshop this September, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com. Space fills up quickly and we have room for only two more participants, with a final registration deadline of April 24th.

For more information, visit my website at NikiGulley.com

Also, I will be showing this painting at the Fiesta Arts Fair in San Antonio this weekend if you would like to see it in person, booth #74 at Navarro and Augusta Streets.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Tuscany Painting & Photography Workshop – Just 2 spots left!

April 8, 2010

“Amapola,” Tuscany by Niki Gulley
11″ x 14″ pastel • sold

Driving south of Florence through Tuscany, you’ll see vast fields of red poppies carpeting the Italian landscape. Not only are the crimson masses beautiful, but the contrast of the vivid reds against the emerald greens of the rolling Tuscan hills is so dynamic, that I had to paint it!

If you’d like to join us this September on our plein-air painting / photography workshop in Tuscany, let me know. We have just 2 spots left!

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com or visit nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=13 for more information.

Painting / Photography Workshop in Venice, Italy – May 2010

November 14, 2009

“Window with a View” ©2009 Niki Gulley
pastel 12″ x 9″ • Venice, Italy

I created this pastel on the final day of our painting / photography workshop in Venice. We had beautiful weather all week and the last day we encountered some drizzle and had to paint under cover. I really liked this particular spot with the balcony overlooking the canal.

I always tell my students to get down the light and any movable objects quickly, and this was no exception! Less than a minute after I finished the gondola, its owner and 2 passengers cast off raindrops and all.

The early deadline for our May workshop in Venice and a $300 savings is quickly approaching. We’d love to have you join us! Visit NikiGulley.com for details.

Plein air painting workshop in Venice, Italy

November 12, 2009
“Romantic Journey” • Venice, Italy • SOLD
Pastel by Niki Gulley • 10″ x 8″

I created this pastel during the workshop my husband and I taught in Venice this May and recently finished a few final details in the studio. We love the city, and there is so much inspiration in Venice between the art, architecture, canals and magical light that it’s really hard to narrow down what to paint! On this day, we decided to stick with a classic view of the canals. I like the way light peeks through the narrow passageway and leads your eye from building to building, and the gondola that happened into the scene created the perfect finishing detail.

If interested in more information about our next Venice workshop this coming May, check out nikigulley.com. Sign up by Nov. 14th and save $300 on the cost of the trip!