I painted this colorful sunflower and lavender field oil during our Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek my husband and I led in Provence this past July. The vivid hues and aroma explosion were out of this world – a painter’s and photographer’s dream come true. The fields stretched for miles along the vast open landscape. Words can’t even describe how special that moment was, and I hope you experience the joy I felt when you look at this uplifting palette knife painting.

If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. We are taking reservations for next year’s trip to Provence, June 26th – July 4th, so please let us know if you would like to join us. This past year’s trip filled up in less than a week! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Sunny Life is inspired from one of the amazing locations we take our students to on our Provence Art Trek. We actually set up our easels in this gorgeous lavender and sunflower field, where the flowers seem to stretch forever. The color and aroma explosion were out of this world – a painter’s and photographer’s dream come true. Words can’t even describe how special that moment was to paint there surrounded by all that beauty!

Taking my plein air sketch that I painted on location above, I set to capture that joyous feeling back in my studio. Pulling in closer to the sunflowers so you could see their beaming faces and get a sense of their scale, I added a few more color surprises to add to the happy mood (and I didn’t have to worry about getting too close in fear of bee stings in the studio!) I hope you, too, experience the beauty and contentment of being in Provence through my painting.

If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. We are taking reservations for this years trip to Tuscany, Italy, so please let us know if you would like to join us.  For more details, e-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

After a peaceful day in the countryside, we headed to the Luberon hill towns today. Starting our journey at the Abbey de Senanque. some of our group toured the twelfth century sanctuary’s interior, while others painted and photographed the lavender fields and grounds surrounding the abbey. Next we traveled to the red and gold colored town of Roussillon, known for its ochre cliffs. Filled with picturesque views, art galleries, restaurants and interesting shops, everyone enjoyed having some free time to wander before we took off for the Pont Julien bridge. The Roman bridge, dating from 3 BC and constructed without mortar, is an architectural marvel that was still driven on until 2005! After surveying the bridge, we sampled some more local wines and headed back to our b and b. Dinner that night was traditional Provencal fare, including fresh vegetables, fish, meats, and goat cheeses loaded with delicious sauces, garlic and butter. Yum!

If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. We are taking reservations for next year’s trip to Provence, June 25th – July 3rd, so please let us know if you would like to join us. This year’s trip filled up in less than a week! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

On the fifth day of our Provence Art Trek, we set up our easels in this gorgeous lavender and sunflower field. The color and aroma explosion were out of this world – a painter’s and photographer’s dream come true. Words can’t even describe how special that moment was!

If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. We are taking reservations for next year’s trip to Provence, June 25th – July 3rd, so please let us know if you would like to join us. This year’s trip filled up in less than a week! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

On the fifth day of our Provence Art Trek, we set up our easels in this gorgeous lavender and sunflower field. The color and aroma explosion were out of this world – a painter’s and photographer’s dream come true. Words can’t even describe how special that moment was!

If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. We are taking reservations for next year’s trip to Provence, June 25th – July 3rd, so please let us know if you would like to join us. This year’s trip filled up in less than a week! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.