Day 2, French Riviera Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 5, 2015
Day 2, Eze and Villefranche – French Riviera Art Trek
9″ x 12″ pastel by Niki Gulley
On the second day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in the French Riviera we spent the morning exploring the Medieval town of Eze perched on the mountainside high about the Mediterranean. With amazing views below, a massive other-worldly succulent garden, twisty stone passages and fascinating shops, there was something for everyone to see and do.
Bougainvillea in Eze – Photo by Scott Williams
That afternoon, we headed back to the hotel and while some of our group relaxed, my painters and I set up our easels in front of this beautiful ocean view, framed by tile rooftops and luscious palm and cypress trees. Our treat that evening was a boat cruise along Villefranche and the surrounding harbors. A perfect end to the relaxing day!
Enjoying the boat cruise along Villefranche harbor.
 
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

French Riviera Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 3, 2015
Day 1, Rothschild Estate and Beaulieu – French Riviera Art Trek
9″ x 12″ pastel by Niki Gulley
On the first day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in the French Riviera we spent the morning touring the gorgeous grounds and estate of Beatrice Rothschild. Composed of nine different themed gardens, each one managed to be even more beautiful than the one before with jaw-dropping views of the ocean below.
That afternoon, my painters set up their easels in the pictureasque nearby harbor or Beaulieu while the photographers and tourists joined Scott at another impressive villa and for a walking tour along the harbor. The beach was alive with activity and we set out to capture that energy with the colorful umbrellas and clear turquoise water set against the lush vegetation and unique stately homes in the background. A great day!
The gorgeous Rothschild villa and gardens.
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

Just Sold – “Triple Passion” Red Roses palette knife oil painting by Niki Gulley

July 31, 2015
“Triple Passion” ©2015 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 48″ x 24″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

I love the passion and energy in the color red, so I thought it would be fun to play with the still life I had set up of roses and make a painting where red was the dominant color.  In person, seeing these roses at life size, I wanted the viewer to be swept up in the movement and emotion of this piece. Utilizing flowing spirals, weaving back and forth, playful thick and thin paint in bold, loose strokes, ruby petals emerging and disappearing, all meant to tease and excite your senses.
If you have any questions, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
To see more of Niki Gulley’s contemporary floral paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

 

 

Niki Gulley Exhibiting at Davis and Company Fine Art Gallery

July 29, 2015
“April Rhythms II,” Texas Hill Country ©2015 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 36″ x 36″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
Just sold through Davis and Company Fine Art Gallery! In April Rhythms II, I wanted to capture the rhythm, color, and density of our Indian Paintbrush, bluebonnets and vibrant wildflowers flowing along the grassy rises and falls of the berms in the Texas Hill Country. Making sure not to over blend my thick strokes so that you could see the marks and feel the energy found in nature, April Rhythms is loaded with texture, color and movement. Repeating patterns, shapes and hues in the blooms, sky and distant mesquite trees unite foreground and background and add to the harmony of spring’s symphony.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

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

July 27, 2015
Last Day, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
7″ x 5″ oil painting by Niki Gulley
On the last day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Greece, some folks shopped, some relaxed by the pool, others continued photographing. I couldn’t miss one last opportunity to paint our gorgeous Santorini view from our hotel balcony. Everyone had a lovely, rejuvenating afternoon!
Later that day we all gathered to share what we had painted and photographed during the trip, and sample some of the local wines and cheeses while we discussed the art. To cap off the evening, we treated ourselves to a delicious seafood dinner with another gorgeous view of the ocean, catching up with new friends and savoring our last night. A perfect ending to a perfect trip!
Dinner with an amazing view on our last night.
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

Day 5, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Sunset Cruise

July 24, 2015
Day 5, Sunset Boat Cruise – Greece Art Trek
5″ x 7″ oil painting by Niki Gulley
That afternoon we rode the cable cars to the port below and caught a boat cruise that ferried us across the bay and around the island at sunset. Stopping at the volcano, some of our group hiked to the top, which was quite intriguing with its sci-fi type lava rock. Meanwhile some of us pulled out our paints and sketched the scenery around us. I particularly liked the casual posture and conversation of these two ladies who were part of our group, so I chose them for my subject. Both were wearing their new hats, which glowed in the sunlight. With just an hour to paint, all we could do is loosely capture a particular feeling. A fun challenge!
Next we stopped at a hot spring for anyone who wanted to swim. And, finally we cruised around the island enjoying the view from the water while the sunset on the horizon, sipping some Greek wines and nibbling on some local meats and cheeses. A great end to the day!
Watching sunset from the boat cruise.
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.Or, if you are in the Denver, CO area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at the Cheesman Park Art Fest.

Cheesman Park Art Fest 
Sat. July 25 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 26 • 10am – 9pm
Denver, CO
dasheventsdenver.com/#!cheesman/ctzx

Capturing Sunrise in Santorini with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 22, 2015
Day 5, Sunrise in Oia – Greece Art Trek
8″ x 10″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

The next morning of our Greece Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop, the photographers got up early to shoot sunrise and I decided to join them. Town was so peaceful and the views were incredible. I chose this strategic location to capture the iconic blue domes over the caldera. It was cloudier this morning which created a peaceful feeling with softer sunrise colors that spread across the sky. I hope you, too, can feel the beauty and tranquility of this special spot.

Enjoying a drink that afternoon at our gorgeous pool view.
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.Or, if you are in the Denver, CO area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at the Cheesman Park Art Fest.

Cheesman Park Art Fest 
Sat. July 25 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 26 • 10am – 9pm
Denver, CO
dasheventsdenver.com/#!cheesman/ctzx

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

July 20, 2015
Day 4, Afternoon – Greece Art Trek:  Oia, Santorini
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

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.
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.Or, if you are in the Denver, CO area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at the Cheesman Park Art Fest.

Cheesman Park Art Fest 
Sat. July 25 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 26 • 10am – 9pm
Denver, CO
dasheventsdenver.com/#!cheesman/ctzx

Day 4, Greece Art Trek

July 17, 2015
Day 4, Greece Art Trek:  Afternoon Location – Oia, Santorini
8″ x 10″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

That afternoon, we headed to the other end of the island, to the beautiful city of Oia. The painters chose to set up their easels by the lookout point at the edge of town, with some painting the windmills and skyline to our left and I chose this sprawling view of the city on the right. With a far more complicated scene, we had to allow a full afternoon and evening to capture the view. After so much white and blue architecture, I loved how several of the buildings were painted oranges, yellows and pinks contrasting agains the stark alabaster.

That evening we put down our brushes and let the photographers work on capturing the beautiful sunset, while we sat back and enjoyed the amazing view!

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.Or, if you are in the Ann Arbor, MI area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at the State Street Area Art Fair.

State Street Area Art Fair
Wed. July 15 • 10am – 9pm
July 16 and 17 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 18 • 10am – 6pm Ann Arbor, MI
Booth #B214 on N. University between Thayer and State St.
a2statestreetareaartfair.com

Day 4 of Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 15, 2015
Day 4, Greece Art Trek:  Morning Location – Akrotiri, Santorini
5″ x 7″ oil painting by Niki Gulley
On the fourth day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Greece, we visited Akrotiri, the remains from a Minoan civilization preserved during the volcanic eruption from the 16th century BC. The ancient city was fascinating! The beach next door also made for a beautiful, relaxing painting location!
The Red Beach • photo by Scott Williams
Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.
Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.Or, if you are in the Ann Arbor, MI area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at the State Street Area Art Fair.

State Street Area Art Fair
Wed. July 15 • 10am – 9pm
July 16 and 17 • 10am – 9pm
Sat. July 18 • 10am – 6pm
Ann Arbor, MI
Booth #B214 on N. University between Thayer and State St.
a2statestreetareaartfair.com