Arriving in Lake Como, Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

October 8, 2019
Como Beauty ©2018 Niki Gulley • 8″ x 10″ Textured oil painting • SOLD 
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 5: Arriving in Varenna on Lake Como
 
Just Sold! Next up on our Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek, we drove to the peaceful town of Varenna at the northern end of Lake Como. Our hotel has the most amazing views of the lake and the colorful town below. It’s my idea of paradise!I love the mountainous scenery surrounding the lake, the unique architecture and the lush foliage that grows everywhere. Strolling along the shore, hopping from town to town on the ferry, and just relaxing on a balcony soaking in that amazing view, are some of the highlights visiting there. On this evening, I set up my easel to capture the soft pinks and yellows as the sun set in the distance over the peaceful village, filling the scene with a magical light.

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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!
 
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019 / fall 2020
Iceland – Aug. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 
 
 

New “Ice Drift” Palette Knife Painting of Iceland’s Iceburgs by Niki Gulley

October 7, 2019
“Ice Drift” ©2019 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting

After enjoying the gentle beauty in Southern Iceland, we worked our way around the country counterclockwise and visited the frozen lagoons and icebergs in the east next. Uniquely shaped large ice chunks float along gorgeous turquoise waters as they drift out to sea. Each one has a distinct shape and color that make them fascinating to watch. This afternoon, I set out to capture this rather interesting square ice piece with aqua blue diagonal ridges running through it. I pulled in fairly tightly so you could focus on its design and then I painted in a glimpse of the mountain behind it to give you a sense of scale. Meanwhile, the water below becomes slightly blurry as the ice chunks slowly drift by and we are caught up in the mesmerizing moment.

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 interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

“Falling Water III” Palette Knife Painting of Iceland by Niki Gulley

October 4, 2019
“Falling Water III” ©2019 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9” textured oil painting

Next up on our Iceland itinerary was visiting another waterfall. My husband and I love waterfalls, and it feels like Iceland has one even better than the next around every bend! So, needless to say we were pretty happy painting and photographing all of the falls the country had to offer. This cascade that we visited today is smaller in stature but no less impressive. It tumbles down over the rocky mountain and empties into a river carving its way through the lush, craggy valley below. I wanted to capture not only the falls, but the water’s path as it flows and snakes its way around the towering rock formations. Other than the midges that would swarm when the sun came out, it was a perfect afternoon!

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 interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
Iceland – Aug. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

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

October 3, 2019
“Black Beach Sunrise” ©2019 Niki Gulley
5″ x 7” textured oil painting

My husband and I visited Iceland this August and fell in love with its beauty. On this morning, we got up early to capture sunrise in the south along the Black Beach. The rock formations and caves that formed next to the water are fascinating. Giant basalt columns stacked one right after the other dominate the shoreline. I wanted to capture their texture and the peaceful glow as the morning sun rose above 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.
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

Painting and Photographing in Oia, Greece with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

October 2, 2019
Greece Art Trek:  Oia, Santorini
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Just Sold! With so much beautiful scenery, it was hard to decide on a subject, but a couple of the painters chose this iconic view of the windmills and bleached architecture contrasted against the cobalt blue skies and waters below. Meanwhile the photographers climbed every nook and cranny in town in search for the perfect shot, and others chose to shop or relax with a snack, soaking in the gorgeous view over the caldera.

One of my student’s easels with their completed painting overlooking Oia in the background.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her travel palette knife paintings.

***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 

New Palette Knife Barn Painting from Iceland by Niki Gulley

October 1, 2019
“Rural View” ©2019 Niki Gulley
5″ x 7” textured oil painting

Continuing our journey along the west coast of Iceland, I was taken by their simplistic architecture, often topped with bright red roofs to add a pop of color to the natural landscape. In the next several paintings, you’ll see I chose a different house or barn each day and set out to capture its shape, the colors and light hitting the structure, and the picturesque, idyllic, quiet scenery surrounding the building in all directions. Here is my first one, a small 5” x 7” study where the shape of the mountains largely resembles the design of the barn, set amidst glowing grasses without another home in sight.

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 interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

“Eilean Donan” Scottish Castle Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

October 1, 2019
“Eilean Donan” • 5″ x 7” textured oil painting

Scotland Art Trek – Days 7: Eilean Donan Castle and the Highlands
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
On the last day of our Scotland Painting and Photography Workshop, we made several stops on our way back to Edinburgh, taking in the beautiful sites and scenery. First, we explored the most photographed castle in Scotland, Eileen Donan, which has also been the set for many major movies. While several of our group enjoyed the tour of the interior, I decided to stay and paint its unique facade and setting out on its own island. Next, we stopped to photograph the massive peaks and valleys in the Scottish Highlands. We ended our day back in Edinburgh, so everyone could catch their flights out the next morning. What a wonderful week and group of Art Trekkers!!! We had an amazing trip.
Painting Eilean Donan Castle.
 
Photographers atop Calton Hill in Edinburgh.
 
***
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Scotland and other travel painting series.
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

Scotland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

September 30, 2019
12″ x 16” textured oil painting – work in progress

Scotland Art Trek – Days 6: Isle of Skye – Dunvegan Castle and Portree
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

For the next day on our Scotland Art Trek, we spent the morning touring the 13th century built Dunvegan Castle and its gorgeous gardens. That afternoon, we attempted to paint some of the beautiful houses around Portree with their lush gardens. Unfortunately, mother nature had other ideas and we got some of that Scottish sunshine before we could finish. As luck would have it, though, this was the first day that rain actually kept us from painting or shooting during the whole trip! The rest of our group, enjoyed the afternoon of free time, experiencing some whisky tastings, shopping in town and relaxing before we began our drive back to Edinburgh. That evening, we gathered for our critique or show and tell, always fun getting to see what everyone painted and photographed over the course of the week. We ended the night with a delicious dinner, enjoying our new found friendships.

Our Scotland Art Treks group enjoying a delicious dinner together.
 
***
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Scotland and other travel painting series.
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
Venice – Feb. 2020
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

Scotland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

September 27, 2019
12″ x 16” textured oil painting – work in progress

Scotland Art Trek – Days 6: Isle of Skye – Dunvegan Castle and Portree
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

For the next day on our Scotland Art Trek, we spent the morning touring the 13th century built Dunvegan Castle and its gorgeous gardens. That afternoon, we attempted to paint some of the beautiful houses around Portree with their lush gardens. Unfortunately, mother nature had other ideas and we got some of that Scottish sunshine before we could finish. As luck would have it, though, this was the first day that rain actually kept us from painting or shooting during the whole trip! The rest of our group, enjoyed the afternoon of free time, experiencing some whisky tastings, shopping in town and relaxing before we began our drive back to Edinburgh. That evening, we gathered for our critique or show and tell, always fun getting to see what everyone painted and photographed over the course of the week. We ended the night with a delicious dinner, enjoying our new found friendships.

Our Scotland Art Treks group enjoying a delicious dinner together.
 
***
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Scotland and other travel painting series.
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
Venice – Feb. 2020
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

New “Peaks and Valleys” Palette Knife Painting from Edinburgh, Scotland by Niki Gulley

September 26, 2019
“Peaks and Valleys” ©2019 Niki Gulley
12″ x 16” textured oil painting

Scotland Art Trek – Days 5: Isle of Skye – Quiraing
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Next up on our Scotland Art Trek itinerary was a morning stop at the Quiraing, a unique area filled with high cliffs, hidden plateaus and unusual rock formations. Allowing a full morning for my painters to capture the land’s unique beauty, everyone did an amazing job! I chose this vantage point with some of the purple heather growing in the foreground, adding a nice color contrast to all of that lush greenery. The photographers hiked all around, capturing unique angles and then we all treated ourselves to lunch. Afterwards, we stopped at Mealt Falls to take in the waterfall’s power and beauty, and then we finished the day back in Portree.

 

Photographers searching for that perfect angle to capture the Quiraing’s beauty.
 
Our Scotland Art Treks group enjoying a delicious dinner together.
 
***
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Scotland and other travel painting series.
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
Venice – Feb. 2020
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.