How to Pack Plein Air Painting Supplies for Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley

February 20, 2023

 

 
Niki Gulley, Contemporary Impressionist Painter
Upcoming Venice Art Trek 

The other day I showed you how I prepare and carry my canvas when we travel and paint. The next step is to start gathering the rest of my supplies, making sure I have enough paint, etc.

For our upcoming Art Trek that Scott and I are teaching in Venice, I’ve chosen to work with acrylics. I prefer a brand called “Open” acrylics made by Golden. They are slower drying than typical acrylics –perfect for location paintings.

Here you can also see my Pochade box which is a brilliant all-in-one design, where it acts as easel, supply holder and even carries 2 wet canvases in the back. I love it! Just attach it to a tripod or hold it in your lap and you’re ready to go. Also, a pair of gloves, collapsible water holder, brushes, palette knives, paper towels, palette and don’t forget your hat!

Now I just need to squeeze all of this into my suitcase along with my clothes and other travel necessities! Stay tuned…

 
To see my plain air landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her paintings or classes.
 
***
 
 
If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.
For more information on upcoming trips, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
 
***
 

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

What Art Supplies to Pack on an Overseas Plein Air Painting Trek

February 17, 2023
 
Contemporary Impressionist Painter  – Niki Gulley
Venice Art Trek 

People often ask me how I pack my paints and gear when we travel, so I thought you might like to see a sneak peek at that process. Today I started getting ready for the upcoming Art Trek, my husband, Scott Williams, and I are teaching in Venice. 

First step is preparing my canvas boards. I don’t like to s*tart on white, so I’ve painted a bunch of different colored acrylic backgrounds and I’ll choose whichever color seems best for the scene that day. Aren’t they fun? Like different color starburst candies! 

Next, these will go into my wet painting carrier which has slots in it to keep the wet paintings from touching. 

 

 
 
 

 

To see my plain air landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.
 
***
 
 
If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.
For more information on upcoming trips, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
 
***
 

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

Iceland Painting and Photography Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

February 16, 2023
“Ice Drift” ©2023 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting
 

 

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 3 – Vatnajokull National Park / Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

 

The next morning, we stopped by to photograph more puffins on our way out of town. Because you can never have enough puffin watching! Then we gathered up our merry band of trekkers and headed further east to the Vatnjokull National Park. Here we had several hours to hike and photograph the exotic scenery and another amazing waterfall before our final drive to our hotel located near the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

 
 

 

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’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. We will be returning to Iceland August of 2024.
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
 

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

 

Waterfall Palette Knife Painting from Iceland by Niki Gulley

February 15, 2023

 

 

“Falling Water II”, Skógafoss, Iceland ©2023 Niki Gulley
12″ x 16” textured oil painting
 
Iceland Art Trek: Day 1 – Skogafoss

 

First stop on our Iceland Art Trek this year was the Skogafoss waterfall. Surrounded by lush grassy mountains, this cascade surges downward with such force and power! Today I set up my easel to capture the energy and flow of the water. Creating strokes in diagonal sweeping shapes to enhance that feeling of movement and rhythm, I hope you, too, can hear the flowing water’s music and feel the gentle spray from its mist.

 
 
To purchase “Falling Water,” go to https://www.nikigulley.com/falling-water-ii-2/.
 

 

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’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. We’ll be returning to Iceland in August of 2024!
 

 

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

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

Iceland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

February 14, 2023

 

“Falling Water III”, Iceland ©2023 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting

 

Iceland Art Trek: Day 1 – Seljalandsfoss

 

For our next Iceland adventure, you guessed it – we visited another waterfall! This one is so magical and unique since you can walk behind the falls and peer out the cave as the water rushes from above crashing into the reservoir below. I set out to capture the gorgeous falls with all of their power and glory. Trying to find a dry enough place to paint where the mist wouldn’t keep erasing my drawing was a challenge, but on my third try, I finally found a good spot! Trying to time it so that I could capture the sun as it was setting in the distance just added to the enchanting feel of this location. I hope you, too, can feel these cascades power and beauty.

 
If you’d like to purchase “Falling Water III,” please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/falling-water-iii/.
 

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’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks including a workshop in Iceland August of 2023, please let us know. 
 
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
 
To purchase “Falling Water,” go to https://www.nikigulley.com/falling-water-ii-2/.

Iceland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

February 13, 2023

       

“Falling Water III” ©2023 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9” textured oil painting
 
Iceland Art Trek: Day 2 – Kvernofoss

 

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’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks including a workshop in Iceland August of 2023, please let us know. 
 
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***

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

 

Portugal Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

February 10, 2023

    

“Atlantic Coastline” ©2022 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting
 
Portugal Art Trek: 
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Day 1 – Cascais

 

Once we finished researching our 2022 Art Trek to Alsace, France, we flew to Portugal to begin leading this summer’s Art Trek to our intrepid group. Our first afternoon was rather leisurely since most of our group was arriving from the United States and shaking off their jet lag. So once everyone checked into our oceanside hotel and took a short nap, we set out on a walking tour of our home base town, Cascais. The Atlantic Ocean hugs its coastline, and there is a great walking trail all along the city. Above, you can see how I wanted to capture the gorgeous rock formations and the beautiful colors in the ocean. 
 
After finishing taking in the beautiful scenery along the water, we wandered the maze of tiled streets throughout town, soaking in the architecture and energy, and finished the night with a delicious dinner of Portuguese tapas. A great way to start the trip!
 
View from our hotel
 
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my France painting series.

 

 

 
***
 
If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, including Portugal and Spain in 2024, please let us know. 
 
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***

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

 

“Breaking Through” White Rock Lake Painting by Dallas Artist Niki Gulley

February 9, 2023

  

“Breaking Through,” White Rock Lake ©2022 Niki Gulley
24″ x 18″ textured oil painting
 
On a peaceful spring morning, I set up my easel at White Rock Lake to capture the sun rising behind this beautiful, tangled Cottonwood. I liked how the warm light accentuated the tree’s curves and textured bark, and I chose this vertical composition to show off its size and strength. In the distance, the light starts to break through the clouds,  causing  the water’s surface to glisten and illuminating the landscape. I hope this scene gives you a sense of peace and lifts your spirits for what the day has to bring.
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
E-mail – Niki Gulley
 
To purchase “Breaking Through” and see framing options, check out nikigulley.com/breaking-through/.

 

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

“Along the Shoreline” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

February 8, 2023

  

“Along the Shoreline” ©2023 Niki Gulley
14″ x 18” textured oil painting on canvas

Early on a fall morning the sun breaks softly through leafy branches and casts early autumn’s palette across the creek. Silent water is ruffled by a gentle breeze. Arching over, bending into the quiet waters, a tree arches into the scene – encompassing, embracing. This painting captures the dreamy reflections and tranquil landscape of one of my favorite spots to paint on location near my home. It is painted in the traditional plein air oil manner, incorporating some heavy texture with palette knife.

To purchase “Breaking Through”, please visit nikigulley.com/breaking-through/.
 
•••
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary landscape paintings. 
 
See NikiGulley.com to view her textured palette knife oil paintings.
 
 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 

Painting Godafoss Waterfall with Niki Gulley – Iceland Art Trek

February 7, 2023

“Cascades III” ©2022 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel
To purchase, visit nikigulley.com/cascades-iii/.
 

 

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 5 – Godafoss

 

This evening we arrived in time to witness sunset over the massive Godafoss falls at the top of The Golden Circle. I set out to capture these gorgeous falls with all of their power and glory. Using diagonal strokes to capture the energy and strength of the cascades, I also wanted to show the mountains they were tumbling over as the water gushed and tumbled. Dramatic sunset clouds drift by, adding to the rhythm and emotion of this special place.The colors were so beautiful in the sky and created a rainbow of reflected colors in the cascading water. Sketching out my composition and squeezing out my colors ahead of time helped me be able to capture this fleeting moment. I hope you can hear the surging water and feel the joy of this magical place.
 
 
 
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’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. We’ll be returning to Iceland in August of 2024!
 
 
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
 

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