Tag: plein-air paintings

Iceland Art Trek with Painter Niki Gulley and Photographer Scott Williams

September 7, 2026

 

SOLD • “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! We have just a couple of spots for Iceland this August.
 
 
 
 

Iceland
August 3-10, 2026

Only a couple of spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 

September 26 – October 3, 2026

Only a couple spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026

Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-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. 

Painting and Photographing Gullfoss Waterfall on Niki Gulley’s and Scott Williams’ Art Trek to Iceland

September 3, 2026

       

12″ x 9” 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 – Gullfoss

 

On our last day we visited Iceland’s Niagara Falls, Gullfoss waterfall, at the top of The Golden Circle. We set out to capture these gorgeous, massive falls with all of their power and glory. Using diagonal strokes to illustrate the energy and strength of the flowing mass, I also wanted to show the water’s beauty as it gushed and tumbled over the dramatic cliffs. I hope you can hear the surging cascade and feel the joy of this magical place.
 
 
 
 
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/

 
***
 

 

 

 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

We will be returning to the gorgeous Swiss Alps and Tuscany in 2027. These Treks are amazing adventures to explore new cultures and be a part of what makes traveling expand your world and enrich your life. Whether you’re a painter, a photographer, food lover or just want to travel in small, friendly groups, this is the trip for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join in the fun as our trips fill up quickly!

 

 
Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026
Waitlist Available
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

 

A Few Spots Left! 
 

 

 
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.

Touring the Golden Circle with Niki Gulley’s and Scott Williams’ Art Treks

September 2, 2026

 

 

“Liquid Rush III” by Niki Gulley
12″ x 9” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 

 

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Day 6 – Geysir and Waterfalls on the Golden Circle

 

This afternoon, we stopped by the Geysir for the photographers to capture the thermal explosion of water and steam, which explodes about every 5 minutes. So much fun to watch! After that, we finished the day with – you guessed it! One more waterfall. Slightly off the beaten path, these cascades rush over rocky cliffs to empty into this massive river valley that will eventually flow out to sea. Nestled amongst wildflowers dancing in the breeze and a cooling mist filling the air from the surge of the falls, this location was truly peaceful and rejuvenating.
I hope you can feel nature’s rush restoring your soul, too!
 

 

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

 

 
***
 
 

 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

We will be returning to the gorgeous Swiss Alps and Tuscany in 2027. These Treks are amazing adventures to explore new cultures and be a part of what makes traveling expand your world and enrich your life. Whether you’re a painter, a photographer, food lover or just want to travel in small, friendly groups, this is the trip for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join in the fun as our trips fill up quickly!

 

 
Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026
Waitlist Available
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

 

A Few Spots Left! 
 

 

 
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.

 

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

 

Iceland’s Gorgeous Waterfalls – Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

September 1, 2026

 
“Cascading V” ©2026 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 6 – The Golden Circle

 

On the sixth day of our Iceland Art Trek, we toured several scenes along the Golden Circle drive, north of Reykavik. In the morning, we hiked back to these beautiful falls that empty into this gorgeous pool of turquoise churning water. I was pleased with the results and really enjoyed the peaceful falls. 
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.
 

 ***

 

 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

We will be returning to the gorgeous Swiss Alps and Tuscany in 2027. These Treks are amazing adventures to explore new cultures and be a part of what makes traveling expand your world and enrich your life. Whether you’re a painter, a photographer, food lover or just want to travel in small, friendly groups, this is the trip for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join in the fun as our trips fill up quickly!

 

 
Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026
Waitlist Available
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

 

A Few Spots Left! 

 

 
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.

Iceland Painting and Photography Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 27, 2026

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 4 – Vatnajokull National Park

 

The next morning, we headed further east to the Vatnjokull National Park. Here we had several hours to hike and photograph the exotic scenery and another amazing waterfall before our drive to our hotel located near the glacier lagoons.

 
Iceland offers so many dramatic shifts in its terrain. Land of fire and ice! Today we encountered both, and so we set out to capture that contrast. Starting near a “dormant” volcanic area (at least the guide claimed it is only erupts every 40 years), below you can see the lava rock formations and above that the glacier arises through the mist. At least when we started painting we could see the icy top, but as fog does it continued to roll into our scene and obliterate our upper view. Glad we got it captured in our under painting before it disappeared!
 
 

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

 

 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.
 
***
 

 If you’re a painter, a photographer, a foodie or if you just want to come along for the fun-filled ride, join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks. Spaces fill up quickly, so let us know if you’re interested in this once in a lifetime experience!

 
 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for 

Artists, Foodies & Travelers

_________________________________________________

 
Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026
Waitlist Available
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

 

A Few Spots Left! 
 

 

 
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.
 
***
 

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

 

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

August 25, 2026

 

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 3: Afternoon Location – Turf Houses

 

Today we encountered a new challenge. How to capture sod-roofed houses set against grassy hills, built upon – you guessed it – more turf. That’s a lot of green upon green upon green! This Viking village dates back about 200 years, and it’s been preserved to it’s original state. Not something we see everyday, so we just had to do our best to capture it despite the green challenge. A good lesson in mixing colors, warmer in the foreground and cooler in the distance to help the background recede.
 
Meanwhile the photographers explored another waterfall nearby. While that cascade is smaller in stature, it is no less impressive. It tumbles down over the rocky mountain and empties into a river carving its way through the lush, craggy valley below.
 
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.
 
***

 

 Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you’re in luck if you’ve always wanted to go! We’ve had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2026. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

 
Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/
 
Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026
Just A Few Spots left!
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027
Registration Now Open
 
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.

 

“Black Beach Glow” Palette Knife Painting of Iceland by Niki Gulley

August 24, 2026

  

“Black Beach Glow” ©2026 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 5″ x 7” textured oil painting

Iceland Art Trek… Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2: Afternoon Location – Black Beach & Puffins

On our second afternoon in Iceland, we set out to find adorable puffins diving off cliffs to capture their morning’s catch. After that we visited the Black Beach where the rock formations and caves were formed out of black lava. Giant basalt columns stacked one right after the other dominate the shoreline. I wanted to capture their texture and the peaceful glow as the sun rose on the horizon in this little painting. 

 

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

 

 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.
 
*** 

 Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you’re in luck if you’ve always wanted to go! We’ve had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2026. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

 
Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/
 
Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026
Just A Few Spots left!
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027
Registration Now Open
 
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.
 
***
 

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

 

Painting Lighthouse in Iceland with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

August 21, 2026

 

“Lighting the Way” ©2026 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2 – Vik

 

Scott and I absolutely love lighthouses. Beacons of hope. Lighting the way. Each one unique architecturally, honoring its heritage and traditions. So, on our Iceland Art Trek that we just led, our students and us were excited to set up our easels / tripods and capture this striking beauty perched high about the ocean on the south coast. It was a gorgeous day to paint – sunny and 70 degrees! In Iceland!!! So, we took full advantage of that. The sun rising on the horizon added another ray of hope, and I enjoyed playing one light source off the other. I hope you enjoy the view, too, and feel the warmth lighting your path!
 

 

 
 
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/

 

 ***


 Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you’re in luck if you’ve always wanted to go! We’ve had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2026. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

 
Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/
 
Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026
Just A Few Spots left!
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027
Registration Now Open
 
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.

 

Waterfall Palette Knife Painting from Iceland by Niki Gulley

August 20, 2026

  

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 1 – Skogafoss

 

What a glorious way to start our Iceland Art Trek! First stop, Skogafoss, a massive, powerful waterfall that’s carved its way through ancient moss covered lava rocks. Truly inspiring and just what we needed to refresh our souls! Surrounded by lush grassy mountains, this cascade surges downward with such force and power. Today we set up our easels to capture the energy and flow of the water. Creating strokes in diagonal sweeping shapes to enhance that feeling of movement and rhythm, I hope you, too, can hear the flowing water’s music and feel the gentle spray from its mist.
 
 
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/
 
 
*** 

 Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you’re in luck if you’ve always wanted to go! We’ve had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2026. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

 
Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/
 
Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026
Just A Few Spots left!
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027
Registration Now Open
 
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.

Palette Knife Painting in Iceland with Niki Gulley

July 14, 2026

 
20″ x 10” textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley
 
Just Sold! 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! We have just a couple of spots for Iceland this August.
 
 
 
 

 

Iceland
August 3-10, 2026

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 

September 26 – October 3, 2026

Only a couple spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026

Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-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.