Tag: tuscany palette knife painting

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

August 21, 2017
12″ x 9″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 2:  TUSCANY ART TREK – Montepulciano and Wine Tasting
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
On the second day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we set up our easels at a scenic overlook in Montepulciano while the photographers went exploring. The view of the valley below is gorgeous with miles of olive groves and vineyards stretching to the horizon. I chose to paint this lone Tuscan farmhouse below set amid the rolling hills and perfectly planted rows about to be harvested. In the afternoon, we visited two wineries and sampled some amazing red wines and the region’s prized Vin Santo. Another fantastic day in Tuscany!
 
 
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. The early registration deadline of Sept. 23rd for a $600 on most trips is quickly approaching, so don’t wait!
 
 
FULL – Fall in New England – Oct. 10-15, 2017
FULL – Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018
Venice, Italy (Carnival) – February 3 – 10 /2018
Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 
 
 

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

August 16, 2017
5″ x 7″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley • SOLD

Last Day:  TUSCANY ART TREK
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

That afternoon, we all had free time. Some people stayed in Pienza to shop and explore the town, while others came back to the villa to chill out by the pool. I had enough time to complete one more small 5×7 oil painting of the villa itself. I loved this prolific rose bush in front of the unique terra cotta tile window offset against cypress trees, an olive grove and rolling hills in the distance.

Before dinner we gathered back at the villa for a slide from our photographers of the trip and to see the paintings we completed, accompanied by a little wine and Italian treats. That night we enjoyed a beautiful Terrace view with one last picture perfect sunset over dinner with amazing food and new friends. A perfect end to a perfect week! We were sad to see the night end.

 
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. The early registration deadline of Sept. 23rd for a $600 on most trips is quickly approaching, so don’t wait!
 
 
FULL – Fall in New England – Oct. 10-15, 2017
FULL – Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018
Venice, Italy (Carnival) – February 3 – 10 /2018
Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 
 
 

Day 3, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 4, 2017
12″ x 9″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley • SOLD

Day 3:  TUSCANY ART TREK
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the next day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we took it easy and painted right at the villa while the photographers and the rest of the group went exploring in Montalcino. I decided to paint this view from our breakfast table, since I’d been admiring it every day of the trip. It was a gorgeous morning with beautiful puffy white clouds that gave the landscape a soft filtered light. Pienza sits atop the hillside in the distance with the Adirondack chair and rose bush blooms framing the foreground. A perfect place to sit and relax!
  
For lunch we feasted on fresh local fruit and vegees, pecorinos, cured meats and a little wine and prosecco at the villa. Bon appetito!
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. The early registration deadline of Sept. 23rd for a $600 on most trips is quickly approaching, so don’t wait!
 
 
FULL – Fall in New England – Oct. 10-15, 2017
FULL – Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018
Venice, Italy (Carnival) – February 3 – 10 /2018
Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

Visiting Montepulciano and Tuscan Wineries with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 2, 2017
Montepulciano ©2017 Niki Gulley • 12″ x 9″ textured oil painting
Day 2, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
The next morning of our Tuscany Art Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Perched atop a giant hill with beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards below, we set up our easels at this breathtaking overlook. We had to work quickly to capture the morning light before it disappeared, while the photographers and the others explored ancient wine cellars, quiet back alleys and even got in a little shopping.
 
After lunch, we visited two wineries nearby to sample their Rossos, Vino Nobiles and the delicious sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo. Full from the local meats and cheeses and tasty red wines, we headed back to the villa for a quiet night of relaxing and soaking in the evening scenery.
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. The early registration deadline of Sept. 23rd for a $600 on most trips is quickly approaching, so don’t wait!
 
 
FULL – Fall in New England – Oct. 10-15, 2017
FULL – Croatia & Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018
Venice, Italy (Carnival) – February 3 – 10 /2018
Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

Day 1, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 31, 2017
View from our Villa, Tuscany ©2017 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting 
Day 1, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
On the first morning of our Tuscany Art Trek, my husband went over camera functions and tips with his photography students while my painters set up to capture this gorgeous view of the distant hills and farmhouse that we see from our breakfast table each morning. With a few clouds drifting by, the sun kept illuminating the foreground Rapeseed and making the hills glow gold and chartreuse. I liked the single farmhouse set against the distant mountains and the one lone cypress growing in the middle of all that yellow. What a perfect morning!
 
 
That afternoon we continued painting at the villa while the photographers explored the scenic countryside, and we all gathered that evening 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!
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. The early registration deadline of Sept. 23rd for a $600 savings on most trips is quickly approaching, so don’t wait!
 
 
FULL – Fall in New England – Oct. 10-15, 2017
FULL – Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 ) 2018
Venice, Italy (Carnival) – February 3 – 10 /2018
Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

Day 4, Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

December 4, 2014
“Villa with a View” ©2014 Niki Gulley • 10″ x 8″ Textured oil painting
Day 4, Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On our last day in the Cinque Terre, we visited the final Cinque Terre town of Manarola. Opting to leave our paint gear and just be tourists for the morning, we joined the photographers in exploring the town and grabbing a light lunch.

“Crescendo,” Manarola ©2014 Scott Williams • photograph

That afternoon we opted to paint this picturesque Italian courtyard, keeping our composition simple for a quick, fun and colorful study. That evening we gathered for another delicious dinner!

***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 11-19, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Day 3, Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

December 3, 2014
“Morning Overlook,” Monterosso ©2014 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ oil painting
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 3: Monterosso and Cornelia

After a busy day in Riomaggiore the day before, our painters stayed closer to home and painted this beautiful scenic overlook of the town of Monterosso. The photographers and tourists spent some time exploring our town and then took the train to Cornelia, where they shot and shopped in the village perched highest of all the Cinque Terre towns.

Later that afternoon, we reconvened and stopped by a local winery to sample their whites, reds, limoncino and regional delicious dessert wine, Sciacchetrá.
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 11-19, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Visiting Vernazza, Italy with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

December 1, 2014
“Golden View,” Vernazza ©2014 Niki Gulley • 10″ x 8″ Textured oil painting
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2, Afternoon Location: Vernazza

When we arrived in Vernazza, the photographers and tourists took off exploring the town and scenic overlooks above while the painters set up their easels near the harbor to capture the beautiful golden late afternoon light. Right after sunset, Scott took the photographers to shoot the dreamy blue light and glow of the city colors and we met up for a delicious dinner of locally caught fish, pastas and regional wine. Full and happy, we rode the train back to Monterosso and crashed that evening after a fun-filled day.

“Safe Harbor,” Vernazza ©2014 Scott Williams • photograph 
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 11-19, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Day 2, Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

November 28, 2014
“Painted Houses,” Riomaggiore ©2014 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ Textured oil painting
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2, Morning Location: Riomaggiore

After a good night’s rest, we took the train that connects the five cities along the Italian coast to the southern most town of Riomaggiore. This morning the temperature was perfect, but we had more cloud cover with only occasional breaks of sunshine. Our painters set up our easels to capture this beautiful view of the colorful town and their ocean overlook while the photographers and tourists checked out the town and surroundings. 
When we had finished painting and exploring and eaten a delicious seafood lunch, we caught the scenic boat ride back to Vernazza, enjoying the ocean view of each town and its colorful architecture perched along the coast way. 
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 11-19, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Day 1, Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

November 26, 2014
“Table for Two” ©2014 Niki Gulley • 12″ x 9″ oil painting
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 1: Monterosso / the 5 Village Hike
We were greeted in Cinque Terre with gorgeous sunny weather, so the photographers and tourists headed out on our first morning on the 5 mile scenic hike high above, linking the five cities of the Cinque Terre, taking in breathtaking scenery along the way. With our paint gear, we opted to stay in Monterosso and capture this beautiful quiet courtyard, with its soft dappled light and lovely plantings.
That evening we connected with the hikers and enjoyed a delicious dinner of fresh caught seafood, local pesto and pasta, and tasty Italian wine. A great end to a perfect first day!
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 8-16, 2015
The French Riviera – June 18-26, 2015
Provence, France – June 25-July 3, 2015
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 4-12, 2015
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 11-19, 2015
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
***
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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