Tuscany Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop

October 11, 2010

“Chasing the Light” ©2010 Niki Gulley
 8” x 10” oil painting

We just got back from teaching our plein air painting / photography workshop in Tuscany, and everyone had a fabulous time! Of course it would be hard not to when immersed in such beautiful scenery – gorgeous rolling hills that stretch for miles and mysteriously change shapes from the Tuscan sun light. I painted this piece right outside the front door of our villa, which was surrounded by amazing 360 degree views of the valleys and distant hill towns. Truly beautiful! With the constantly moving clouds causing the light to change minute to minute, our challenge was to paint the scene quickly and yet capture the mood created by the soft dramatic morning light.

If you’d like to see my recent Italian inspired landscapes, along with my students’ work, stop by my studio as part of the White Rock Artists’ Studio Tour this weekend in Dallas. WhiteRockArtists.com

If you’d like more information on our next painting / photography workshop in Greece this May or Tuscany September 2011, visit my website at

nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 for more information

or e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Bayou City Art Festival, Houston – this weekend

October 8, 2010

“Moment of Reflection” ©2010 Niki Gulley
Pastel • 24” x 36”

When we visited London, it rained pretty much all day every day but somehow that added to the experience and was actually quite beautiful at night when the city lights reflected off the wet cobbled streets. A few raindrops never slow the English down, so in “Moment of Reflection,” I wanted to capture that energy of the moving masses and I liked how that contrasted against the one non-mobile person on the corner. What are they waiting for or thinking about? I their contemplative state adds to the mystery and magic of the moment.

To see “Moment of Reflection” in person, stop by the Bayou City Art Festival in Houston this weekend. I’ll be displaying my latest paintings and night scenes at booth #480 – on Walker St. between Bagby & Smith Streets facing City Hall. See BayouCityArtFestival.com for more information.

Or, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

Table for Two pastel at Bayou City Art Festival

October 6, 2010


“Table for Two” by Niki Gulley
Pastel • 24” x 36”

My husband and I honeymooned in Greece and fell in love with the island of Santorini. It has to be one of the most romantic spots we’ve ever seen. The views from the top of the caldera were absolutely stunning with the blue Aegean below, and the white-washed stacked architecture is truly unique. We easily segued into the the relaxed laissez faire Greek pace after a day or two and thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of the moment, dining seaside on delicious Mediterranean food and watching the sun set on the distant horizon.

If you’d like to join us next May on our Painting / Photography workshop in Greece, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 for more information. Or, closer to home I also teach in Dallas, with the next set of classes starting in January 2011. If you’d like more details, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

If you’re in Houston, TX this weekend, please stop by the Bayou City Art Festival to and my pastels in person. I’ll be displaying my work at booth #480 – on Walker St. between Bagby & Smith Streets facing City Hall. See BayouCityArtFestival.com for more information.

Bayou City Art Festival – Houston, TX – Oct. 9 & 10

October 4, 2010

“Bon Appetito” ©2010 Niki Gulley
 Pastel 24” x 36”

On my second trip to Europe, my husband wanted to take me to Venice since it was one of his favorite cities, and I fell in love with almost everything about it. The timeless quality created by living on canals free of cars, the history in the architecture and even the cobbled walkways, the beauty of the scenery and the magical quality created by the light to name just a few of my favorite things. I love how food and meals play such an important role in Italian culture – a time to slow down and enjoy friendships while savoring the local grown cuisine and wines over the course of the evening. In this pastel I wanted to communicate all of those joyful feelings in addition to capturing the energy and romance of the city at night. Bon Appetito!

If you’re in Houston, TX this weekend, please stop by the Bayou City Art Festival to see Bon Appetito and my other recent pastels. I’ll be displaying my work at booth #480C – on Walker St. between Bagby & Smith Streets facing City Hall. See BayouCityArtFestival.com for more information.

Or, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

Moment of Reflection oil painting

October 1, 2010

“Moment of Reflection” ©2010 Niki Gulley
24″ x 18″ oil on canvas

This is another one of my favorite spots in Dallas. Once you climb down the creek’s banks, you’re treated to the peaceful trickling sounds of the gently moving water and you’re surrounded by a canopy of trees, completely eliminating all signs of traffic and city life above. This location reminds me so much of the woods I’d hike through with my parents as a kid on a beautiful, crisp autumn day and all of those happy memories come flowing back. In “Moment of Reflection,” I wanted to share that joy and calm I feel being surrounded by nature.

To see this painting and my latest work in person, visit my booth at the Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson, TX this weekend, CottonwoodArtFestival.com.

Or, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

Cottonwood Art Festival – this weekend

September 29, 2010

“Reflections in Time” ©2010 Niki Gulley
Oil on canvas • 24” x 36”

This painting is inspired by one of my favorite spots just ten minutes from our home in Dallas. It was a perfect autumn day – about 70° with a slight breeze and the peaking autumn colors were more vibrant than usual. With such a gentle wind, the vivid foliage and gorgeous fluffy clouds were reflected fairly clearly in the water and yet at the same time, I chose to create fluid moving strokes to suggest the peaceful energy in that moment.

To see this painting in person, visit my booth at the Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson, TX this weekend, CottonwoodArtFestival.com.

Or, e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

Dallas Skyline Pastel

September 27, 2010

“Crimson Sky” ©2010 Niki Gulley
Pastel 25” x 19”

At long last our summer journeys are coming to an end and we are headed back to Dallas. While I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the mid-west, the east coast and Europe, there’s nothing quite like home. I look forward to riding my bike again around White Rock Lake, enjoying the peacefulness of the water and greenery while watching families reveling in the early days of fall. Then, after watching a beautiful sunset over the lake with the Dallas skyline silhouetted, turning back and heading home.

If interested in purchasing “Crimson Sky,” e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Plein Air Painting Workshops in the Greek Isles

September 24, 2010

“Walking on Water” © 2010 Niki Gulley
Oil painting • 12” x 9”

The crystal-clear turquoise and cobalt waters in Greece are an endless source of inspiration. I felt liked we’d stepped right into the set of Mama Mia and Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants! It’s hard to believe someplace so beautiful actually exists. We can’t wait to take painters and photographers with us on next year’s workshop to share in the beauty and serenity of the Greek Isles.

Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop
Tuscany, Italy – September 2010 & 2011
Athens & Santorini, Greece – May 2011
Led by Niki Gulley & Scott Williams
Our trip to Tuscany for this year is full, but please join us next September in Tuscany or May 2011 in Greece.
Visit nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=13 for more details.
E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Painting Workshops in Greece with Niki Gulley

September 22, 2010

“Rooftop View” © 2010 Niki Gulley
Oil painting • 10” x 20”

Journeying on from Rome, we next flew to the gorgeous island of Santorini to complete the research for our next workshop we’re teaching in Greece, May 2011. The Aegean didn’t disappoint. It was just as we remembered from our honeymoon, with gorgeous blue waters contrasting with the brilliant white-washed Greek homes stacked along the Caldera. With the breath-taking views, all you can do is simply relax and soak in all that beauty.

Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop
Tuscany, Italy – September 2010 & 2011
Athens & Santorini, Greece – May 2011
Led by Niki Gulley & Scott Williams
Our trip to Tuscany for this year is full, but please join us next September in Tuscany or May 2011 in Greece.
Visit nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=13 for more details.
E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com

Painting Florence, Italy with Niki Gulley

September 20, 2010

“Evening Stroll” © 2010 Niki Gulley
Pastel 25” x 19”

Sadly our Tuscany workshop has come to an end. Everyone had a wonderful time, and I thank you guys for making this such a memorable trip! From the amazing Tuscan vistas dotted with cypress, wildflowers and grape-vines, to the cobbled medieval hill towns, to the world-class museums & history-filled architecture, to the mouth-watering pastas, cheeses, meats & of course, wines, we will treasure the memories forever.

Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop
Tuscany, Italy – September 2010 & 2011
Athens & Santorini, Greece – May 2011
Led by Niki Gulley & Scott Williams
Our trip to Tuscany for this year is full, but please join us next September in Tuscany or May 2011 in Greece.
Visit nikigulley.com/ng2/?page_id=13 for more details.
E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.