Plein Air Painting in Iceland with Artist Niki Gulley

June 27, 2025

 

 

 
“Relaxing View” 9″ x 12” textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley
 

 

Today the painters in our Art Treks group stayed right on the beautiful grounds of our hotel to paint the dramatic scenery. Meanwhile, our photographers and tourists went off exploring. We had the day all to ourselves with the exception of the curious hotel staff, who loved our paintings so much, they featured us on their Instagram page!
 
For our second painting that day, I chose this relaxing view from our patio. The Atlantic sits in the distance and the two chairs invite you to have a seat, take in nature’s beauty and leave all of your worries behind.
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

 

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

 
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Bougainvillea Painting from Santorini by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

June 26, 2025

 

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel by Niki Gulley

Santorini, Greece

Painted on location in Santorini, Greece, this Bougainvillea vine was so gorgeous that I just had to paint it. Gently stretching to the sky and framing the doorway, this magenta beauty formed the perfect welcoming entrance. In the distance you can see the white-washed architecture with the church perched at the top of the hill and the blue Aegean stretching beyond. Step inside, enjoy the view and let all of your cares slip away.


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***

 

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

New Santorini Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

June 25, 2025

 

 
 
“Table for Two II,” Santorini ©2025 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
I painted this peaceful scene after we finished leading our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Santorini, Greece. Having loved taking in this view from our balcony for the past several days, I just had to capture that gorgeous overlook on canvas. With its beautiful white-washed buildings and the deep blue Aegean background, Santorini is one of the most romantic places we have visited. The table set for two invites you and your loved one to relax, enjoy a glass of wine and let all of your cares slip away. Paradise!
 
***

 

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

***

 

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

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Greece Plein-Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 24, 2025

 

Day 6, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

SOLD • 12″ x 9″ textured acrylic 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. For our last painting, we just had to paint one of the white churches with its iconic blue dome. Sparkling dappled light danced along the textured ivory stucco, which was so much fun to capture in palette knife. Once again this beautiful sycamore framed the scene and I had to capture its beauty, too.
 
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. 
 

***

 

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

 
***

 

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

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

June 23, 2025

 

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

12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

On the last day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Greece, we chose to paint in this lovely quiet park near our hotel, away from the hustle and bustle of tourists. With only a few locals passing through, we enjoyed the quiet, shaded escape. I loved their sycamore trees with their mottled bark, and this view framing the iconic white and blue architecture was perfect. Add a touch of the bougainvillea blooming in the foreground and I thought this summed up the beautiful feeling of Greece.
 
***
 

 

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

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***

 

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

Day 5 of Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 20, 2025

 

 
Day 5, Greece Art Trek:  Akrotiri and the Red Beach, Santorini

5″ x 7″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

On the fifth 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!  I loved this church nestled into the cliffs, so typical on the Greek islands.
 
The Red Beach • photo by Scott Williams
 

That afternoon, we headed to a Santorini winery and sampled the local wines. Yum!

 
Taking a little time out to enjoy the view and sample the Greek wines, which are quite tasty!
 
 
***

 

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

 

 
***

 

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

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Greece Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 19, 2025

 

 
Day 4, Greece Art Trek:  Afternoon Location – Oia, Santorini
SOLD • 12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

That afternoon, we headed to the other end of the island, to the beautiful city of Oia. 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.

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!

 
***

 

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***

 

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

 
 

Greece Plein-Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 18, 2025

 

 

Day 4 – Greece Art Trek:  Imerovigli and Oia

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

On day 4, we visited the town next door. So many interesting white washed buildings with unique shapes framing the beautiful ocean views! Today was definitely a study in whites and greys. It’s amazing how even though the buildings look white, when you start really looking and painting them, only a few reflected edges were pure white and everything else was shades of grey. With palette knife, I was able to capture the texture and subtleties in the shading so as to create interest in the rather monochromatic scene. A fantastic learning day for my painters!
 
 
Enjoying a delicious lunch, fueling up in between painting and photography sessions!
 

***

 

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

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***

 

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

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

June 17, 2025

 

Day 3, Greece Art Trek:  Santorini
9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

The next day we painted the beautiful view again from our hotel. Working with palette knife, I had so much fun capturing the craggy textures of the volcanic rocks hugging the water. The gorgeous blues and turquoises of the Aegean Sea were so relaxing and mesmerizing to gaze at! Sailboats and catamarans drifted by adding to that blissful, peaceful feeling. What a wonderful morning painting together!

Meanwhile the photographers viewed more of the town, while others relaxed at the pool at our hotel. That afternoon, we enjoyed a boat ride taking us to the surrounding islands and finishing with watching the sun drop across the sea. Just beautiful!

Enjoying the relaxing boat ride.
 
 

***

 

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

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***

 

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

Day 2, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

June 16, 2025

 

 
Day 2, Greece Art Trek:  Santorini
12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

On the second full day of our Greece Art Trek, we flew to Santorini and gawked at the amazing view from our hotel overlooking the caldera. Our painters set up their easels right there since the scenery was so beautiful, while the photographers toured through town, shooting the white washed architecture and fantastic views of the ocean below. I chose this vantage of the rocky cliff dotted with dessert plants framing the vivid blue water and the town of Oia in the distance. Everything had a nice soft light that created subtle shadow and intense colors. The cool breeze and great company of our students made for the perfect afternoon painting.

Painting from the pool deck or our hotel!

View of Fira, Santorini

 
***

 

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

 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Greece series.
 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 
 

***

 

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

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Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 
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Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
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For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.