Tuscany art trek

Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley Paints the Tuscan Countryside

August 21, 2023

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Cypress trees, tile-roofed stone farmhouses and undulating hills filled with grapevines and olive trees, signal that you have landed in Tuscany! Filled with energetic, thick palette knife strokes and uplifting colors, “Afternoon Arrival,” welcomes you to your new home away from home.

***

Next summer we will be leading a Foodie Trek to Spain and Tuscany, and an Art Trek to Iceland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! Details are available on ArtTreks.org.

***

***

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my impressionistic palette knife paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary Italy and European paintings.

New “Cypress Serenade II” Art from the Tuscan Countryside by Niki Gulley

August 16, 2023

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

My husband and I lead a Foodie Trek to Tuscany almost every year, and I’ve always been attracted to this lone grouping of cypress trees. I love trying to capture it in different ways, and mother nature had her hand in me choosing this location today. You see, there was a strong possibility of rain and this is one of the few locations I’ve found in the entire Tuscan countryside with a covered area that could keep me and my painting dry in the case of that liquid sunshine arriving mid-stroke. Fortunately because of the weather, the clouds in the sky were voluminous, beautiful and full of drama. Poppies blooming in the foreground just added to the excitement and energy of the moment. And, luckily I was able to capture the majority of the scene before the storms hit!

***

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my impressionistic palette knife paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary Italy and European paintings.

New “Cypress Serenade” Art from the Tuscan Countryside by Niki Gulley

August 8, 2023

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

I painted “Cypress Serenade” recently on location in Tuscany. I’ve always been attracted to this lone grouping of cypress trees and on this day the clouds in the sky were so fascinating. Hugging so close to the ground, soft and voluminous, acting as the perfect backdrop behind the cypress grove, I had to capture their drama before they disappeared. Wildflowers blooming in the foreground set the stage and I decided to have fun by repeating those colors throughout the scene, adding to the excitement and energy of the moment.

***

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my impressionistic palette knife paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary Italy and European paintings.

New “Sunshine Serenade II” Palette Knife Tuscany Painting by Niki Gulley

April 13, 2023

10″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

I absolutely love Tuscany and find inspiration everywhere I look. This afternoon I set up my easel alongside the road, drawn to this long cypress driveway with these cheerful sunflowers framing the scene. As luck would have it, mother nature provided a symphony of colors across the sky as the sun started setting and I worked quickly to establish the beautiful, golden light that was cast across the rolling hills and sunny blooms. I hope you, too, can enjoy the joy and glory that is Tuscany!

To purchase this piece, visit https://www.nikigulley.com/sunshine-serenade-ii/.

***

If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Portugal, Spain, Tuscany, or Iceland, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

2024 Schedule

Portugal Art Trek

March 10 – 17

•

Spain Foodie Trek

March 18 – 24

•

Iceland Art Trek

August 5 – 13

•

Tuscany Foodie Trek

October 12 – 19

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

New Contemporary Impressionistic Ocean Painting by Niki Gulley

December 7, 2022

12″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

I love everything about going to the beach. I love gazing into the endless horizon while listening to the rhythmic sounds of waves crashing against the shore. I love feeling the warmth of the sun against my skin while the cool sand squishes between my toes. And, I love how all of my cares disappear and I feel completely at peace engulfed in the moment.

So, getting to paint along the shoreline is almost as close as it gets to perfection! Here is one of the paintings I created early in the morning along the Costa del Sol in Spain. I hope you, too, can feel the joy and serenity of gazing at the ocean in this piece.

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

Or, e-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

New “Cypress Glory II” Palette Knife Tuscany Painting by Niki Gulley

December 5, 2022

10″ x 20″ textured oil painting

I absolutely love Tuscany and find inspiration everywhere I look. Tonight I set up my easel alongside the road, drawn to this long cypress driveway which I figured would be silhouetted against the setting sun. As luck would have it, mother nature provided a symphony of colors across the sky and I worked quickly to establish the beautiful, golden light that was cast across the rolling hills and stone farmhouse. I hope you, too, can enjoy the glory that is Tuscany!

***

If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

2023 Schedule

Venice – Carnivalé

Art Trek – Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek – June 24- July 1

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

Painting and Photographing Pienza with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

November 23, 2022

SOLD • 12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

Day 7, Pienza: TUSCANY FOODIE TREK

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the last day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we explored the picturesque, quaint town of Pienza to enjoy its cobbled alleyways and amazing views of the valleys below. Having been home to Pope Pius II, the town is filled with interesting historical sites, great shopping, delicious lunch spots and plenty of interesting corners to paint. I chose this doorway since I loved the texture of the stone walls, the potted plants around it, and the soft light raking across it.

We capped the night off with an amazing Michelin dinner surrounded by new friends and drifted off to sleep, full, happy and at peace.

***

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

***

If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

2023 Schedule

Venice – Carnivalé

Art Trek – Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek – June 24- July 1

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

Long and Winding Cypress Road Painting by Niki Gulley

November 22, 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 5: Italian Renaisance Garden

Today we visited an operating Italian Renaissance garden. Formal and organized with clipped boxwoods and plantings in symmetrical stone urns, impressive travertine column staircases, and the largest indoor potted citrus grove in the area, it was interesting to see the contrast between an Italian garden and an American garden, and the challenges of getting irrigation to the remote property.

I was also able to paint this unique view from near the gardens of this long, winding road dotted with cypress trees – quintessential Tuscany!

***

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

***

If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

2023 Schedule

Venice – Carnivalé

Art Trek – Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek – June 24- July 1

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

New Rooftop Overlook from Tuscany by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 18, 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 3: Montepulciano, Italy

During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Scott took our group on a tour of the city, making sure to visit the underground Etruscan tunnels, stopping at some of the wineries for some samples and allowing everyone to do some shopping.

Meanwhile, I set up my easel at this breathtaking overlook. The view of the valley below is gorgeous with miles of olive groves and vineyards stretching to the horizon. I chose to paint the this puzzle of rooftops and buildings stacked in the foreground with the lush valley stretching into the distance. I hope you enjoy the morning escape to Tuscany!

After lunch, we visited a winery nearby to sample their Rossos, Vino Nobiles and the delicious sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo.

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

***

If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

2023 Schedule

Venice – Carnivalé

Art Trek – Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek – June 24- July 1

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Led by Artists Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

November 17, 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 4: Cooking Class with Restaurant Chef

After another gorgeous leisurely morning at our villa, we all enjoyed learning how to cook authentic Tuscan food from a restaurant chef in one of the neighboring hill towns. From rolling out pici pasta to stuffing squash blossoms, to indulging in the most delicious tiramisu, we feasted like kings for lunch, savoring the fruits of our labor while also learning and sampling some of the region’s best wines.

That afternoon after a stopping for a couple of scenic photos of the Italian countryside we returned to relax at the villa. Above you can see one of the most iconic stops in Tuscany. And, I’ve always been attracted to this lone clump of cypress trees. Today, 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. I decided to have fun with the colors and strokes to add to the excitement and drama of the moment.

That evening we went into town 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!

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

***

If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

2023 Schedule

Venice – Carnivalé

Art Trek – Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek – June 24- July 1

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.