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

June 13, 2025

 

 

Day 1, Greece Art Trek:  The Acropolis, Athens
9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel by Niki Gulley

On the first full day of our plein air painting and photography workshop in Greece, we visited the Acropolis in Athens along with several other ancient sites. It was truly awe inspiring to see a part of history from the fifth century BC and to imagine what life must have been like as democracy was beginning. In the afternoon, the painters set up their easels on top of the balcony at our hotel to paint this beautiful view of the Parthenon while the photographers continued touring the city. In this painting, I wanted to capture a sense of scale with the Acropolis, and suggest how it rises above the city on this massive mound, towering majestically over the city, kissed by the clouds above.

Breakfast from the terrace of our hotel. What a view of the Acropolis!

 

 
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If you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks! 

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek 
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/
 

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

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

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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist paintings.

 

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

New Super Thick Palette Knife Bluebonnet Painting by Niki Gulley

June 12, 2025

  

 
 
Just Sold! With such a rich kaleidoscope of hues from the Texas wildflowers, I am like a kid in a candy store every time I go out. The interplay of color between the Indian Paintbrush, Bluebonnets and assorted other wildflowers allows me to stretch the spectrum in this natural palette.
 
Check out my videos on Instagram to see how much dimension these really have, https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/.
 
“Petal Poetry II” 
5” x 7” sculpted, highly textured acrylic painting on panel 
 
 
  • This piece looks great hung individually or paired with a complimentary floral landscape in the series.

 E-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Painting Fall at the North Carolina Arboretum by Impressionist Niki Gulley

June 11, 2025

 

   

36” x 18” textured acrylic painting on canvas
©2025 Niki Gulley
Today I joined the Asheville Plein Air Painters at the North Carolina Arboretum. While several of the trails were closed from the hurricane, the main gardens were open and it turned out to be a gorgeous afternoon. I loved the bright pops of color in their “mum quilt.” What a fantastic, welcoming group. I look forward to the next time I can join again!
 
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about her palette knife travel paintings.

To see more of Niki’s contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 

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

 

  

 

“Popping Sunshine” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

June 10, 2025

“Popping Sunshine” ©2025 Niki Gulley

24″ x 12″ textured mixed media on canvas

I absolutely love it when I come across a whole field of wildflowers – there is something about the transformation of a single dainty flower into a dense explosion of color that inspires awe and delights your senses. I liked how these rows of poppies and rolling grasses created a gentle harmony, inviting you to wander into the distance, getting lost in the moment. Full of color and hope, may my “Popping Color” painting transport you to a happy serene place.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my poppies and wildflower fields paintings.

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

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

“Pretty in Pink” Victorian Home Painting by Artist Niki Gulley

June 9, 2025

 

 

“Pretty in Pink” ©2025 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 

Filled with beautiful homes built in the late 1800s, I was attracted to the detailed craftsmanship and historic architecture of this estate. Each homeowner had taken great care in decorating their porches and yards to create a warm welcome, and I wanted to capture that beauty and pride in my paintings. 

Here you can see this beautiful pink Victorian surrounded by more beautiful rose and scarlet blooms. I loved the play of complimentary colors, even down to the green detailing and scrollwork on the house. 

 
For more information on my textured palette knife oil paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.
 

 

Or, please visit my website at  NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.
 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 

 

  

Uplifting Palette Knife Sunflower Painting by Niki Gulley

June 6, 2025

 

“Sunshine Serenade” ©2025 Niki Gulley
16″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 
 

Started on location in Tuscany, these bright, smiling faces just lifted my spirits and I had to paint them to share their cheer with you! Beyond these joyous sunflowers, the quintessential Tuscan farmhouse has the best view of the surrounding valleys. Misty clouds rise from the horizon as cooler nights meet warmer days and set the stage of the magical light and dreamy allure of Tuscany. The resulting painting is full of warmth, color and texture, and my hope is that when you gaze into it, this piece lifts your spirits and brightens up any spot in your home.

 
If interested in purchasing this piece, click here nikigulley.com/sunshine-serenade/.
 
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For details on more of my Tuscany or sunflower paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

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

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

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Full

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek 
September 27 – October 4, 2025
2 Spots Left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/
 

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

Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 5, 2025

  

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley
 
Provence Art Trek – Painting and Photography Workshop
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Day 1 
 
On the first night of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in southern France, we arrived at our B and B and went into town that evening for an amazing dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant. The food was out of this world, the weather was perfect for dining outside, and our new group was great company!
 
 
The next morning, our painters stayed at our b and b and painted right there since the grounds were so beautiful. I loved how the typical Provencal trees framed the composition and I could get a real sense for Cezanne’s love of the landscape. Meanwhile, the photographers visited a nearby 11th century Abbey and took some incredible photographs. We met up later that day and headed to the nearby town of Arles for lunch.
 
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Next year we will be leading a Foodie Trek to Tuscany, and an Art Trek to Cinque Terre, Italy, 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.
 
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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

Textured Hollyhocks Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

June 3, 2025

   

“Beauty in Blue III” ©2025 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
What was I saying about not getting enough blue? Today, my friend and talented artist, Sheri Jones, and I decided to paint another beautiful blue craftsman home as part of the “Paint Historic Waxahachie.” But this time I wanted the emphasis on their gorgeous hollyhock garden! The flowers were such a beautiful shade of pale cream with the sun creating blush and golden accents. The homeowner was so welcoming and took such pride in her yard that I was really glad I chose this location, too. What a fun afternoon!
 
Visit my website at  NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary architectural and garden paintings.
 
And, for more information on my palette knife impressionistic landscape paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.
 

 

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

 

 

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

June 2, 2025

    

 
“Cypress Serenade” ©2025 Niki Gulley 
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.

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If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Greece Art Trek
Full

Switzerland Art Trek 
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2025 
September 20-27, 2025
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/
 

2026

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 

September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

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

Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Coming Soon:
Croatia & Slovenia Art Treks – May/June 206

Portugal & Spain Foodie Treks – March 2027

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.

 

 

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