New Van Gogh Inspired Sunflower Painting by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

 

“Sunny Setting II” ©2026 Niki Gulley
24″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas 
I had so much fun painting these colorful flowers from our deck last week, that creating just one canvas wasn’t enough! Filled with so much uplifting color and cheer, the blooms led my palette knife to joyfully skip across the canvas capturing their sunshine. Surprising pops of color peek through so every time you gaze into this one, you discover something new. Set against the gorgeous mountain backdrop, dramatic clouds dance overhead and hopefully all of your cares drift away!

•••

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my sunflower and wildflower fields paintings.

To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

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

 

Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley Paints New Sunflower Series

“Sunny Setting” ©2026 Niki Gulley
24″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas 
The past few weeks have been absolutely gorgeous for painting outside and revel in the cool mountain air. Our flowers on the deck are so colorful and uplifting that I had to share that joy with you. Unfortunately, my green thumb skills need a little work as my sunflower seeds have not sprouted. But, fortunately I have a vivid imagination and can paint them exactly as I wished they’d bloomed.
 
 
There is one thing I did leave out of the scene, though. As I was nearing the end of the painting, I had an unexpected visitor in our yard. Thank goodness I was on the upper deck, but still, this large papa bear was only about 20 feet away – yikes! The hazards of plein-air painting.
 
 
Despite a moment of heart failure there, I’m so happy with how these cheerful flowers turned out. May they bring some much needed happiness and sunshine to your day!
 
To see a video of the finished painting, the inspiration behind it and a close up on the texture detail, check out. https://www.instagram.com/p/DaDj94ZCYuv/.

•••

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my sunflower and wildflower fields paintings.

To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

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

 

“Old Orchard Beach” Painting in Maine by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

 

“Old Orchard Beach” ©2026 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
What a fabulous day! Sun is shining. Waves are crashing. Seagulls are screaming. And, I’ve got my toes in the sand. We’ve landed on Old Orchard Beach in Maine just soaking up the beautiful scenery. Hope you can feel the beautiful ocean breezes and hear the cathartic sound of the tide, too!
 
•••
 
For more information on my textured palette knife paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

 

Or, please visit my website at  NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.
 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 

 

Palette Knife Abstract Seascape Painting by Artist Niki Gulley

    

“Ocean Breeze” ©2026 Niki Gulley
24″ x 24″ textured acrylic painting on canvas
 
We’re taking a break from fall foliage to soak up some warmth and sunshine along North Carolina’s Outer Banks coast. Listen to those rhythmic ocean waves! Talk about relaxing and just what the doctor ordered. Letting the sounds guide me and going with the flow of the moment, I left this one loose with abstract passages. I hope you can feel the joy and energy in this painting, and escape with me.
 
To see a video of this painting and location, visit https://www.instagram.com/p/Cyn0LbiOUhw/.
 
 
 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
•••
 
For more information on my textured palette knife paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

 

Or, please visit my website at  NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

 

Serenity Now! Escape with Artist Niki Gulley to the Outer Banks

   

 
“Serenity Now” ©2026 Niki Gulley
12″ x 24″ textured acrylic painting on canvas
 

After nine days of grey, cold and sometimes rainy weather, I really needed to warm up and soak up some Vitamin D sunshine. So, we took a detour from fall foliage and headed to North Carolina’s Outer Banks. We found an amazing campsite right on the water, and this was our view out our window for the next 2 days! While a little windy our first night, the next morning I woke to beautiful, calm blue waters and I just had to paint that serene view. Those 2 hammocks were calling my name to just relax. I hope you can escape with me into this peaceful, cathartic seascape.

 
 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
•••
 
For more information on my textured palette knife paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

 

Or, please visit my website at  NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

 

Colorful Winter Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Morning Flow” ©Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting  
 

My husband and I recently visited Iceland to gather new inspiration on film and canvas. Going in March so that we could see the northern lights, we were often greeted by snowfall and an occasional blizzard! Today was one of the days where it was too windy to paint or photograph outside so we aimed the car towards this gorgeous vista and I painted from protection of the passenger seat. I loved the play of colors with the blue of the river and sky contrasted against the golden grasses and mountains. The red branches on the winter shrubbery were particularly beautiful and I wanted to feature them in the foreground next to the focal point, meanwhile a light dusting of snow still frosts the ground and adds to the dreamlike landscape.

 

To see more of my travel location paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 
 
Or, for one click shopping to purchase, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/morning-flow/.

 

***
 
If you’re interested in joining us in 2024 on our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Iceland this coming August or on a future Art Trek or Foodie Trek, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
 
 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

Teaching Painting and Photography in Switzerland with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

  

 
“Alpine Sanctuary” ©2026 Niki Gulley
12” x 9” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 
 
Day 1: Switzerland Art Trek
Plein Air Painting and Photo Workshop Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
My husband and I just got back from leading the most amazing workshop in Switzerland with jaw-dropping scenery around every corner! Once everyone arrived at our hotel, we stayed close to home the first day. With a chance of rain, we actually painted the beautiful scenery from the front deck of our hotel since we had a nice, large covered area to keep us dry. The cutest white church was in perfect view, so that’s what most of us landed on for our subject. With a beautiful mountain backdrop and colorful plantings out front, it turned out to be the ideal subject. I hope you can hear those bells ringing out the top of the hour and echoing through the valley.
 
 
 

For details on more of my Switzerland and travel paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

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

 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

We will be returning to the gorgeous Swiss Alps in 2027. These Treks are amazing adventures to explore new cultures and be a part of what makes traveling expand your world and enrich your life. Whether you’re a painter, a photographer, food lover or just want to travel in small, friendly groups, this is the trip for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join in the fun as our trips fill up quickly! 

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 3 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

Spain Foodie Trek 
March 13-20, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/spain-foodie-2024/

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – Aug. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2027/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 25 – Oct. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2027/

 

 
If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.
 

  

Challenges of Painting in Switzerland with NC Artist Niki Gulley

  

 
“Alpine Expressions II” ©2026 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 20” X 10” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 
 
Just Sold! Painting in Switzerland. while beautiful and inspiring, presented a new bunch of challenges. One of which was the unpredictability of mountain weather and the consistent threat of rain. Which, when you’re working in a water-based medium like acrylics, is really not good for the painting! Fortunately, I have a husband is sympathetic to the creative process as he is an artist/ photographer also.
 
Go back a couple of years and Scott was shooting this dramatic waterfall in Iceland in crazy winds and rain. I was doing my best to hold the umbrella over his camera gear so he could get the beautiful shot. Now come full circle here in Switzerland and he returned the favor by protecting my painting in the drizzle. Teamwork!!!
 
 
 

For details on more of my Switzerland and travel paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

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

 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

We will be returning to the gorgeous Swiss Alps in 2027. These Treks are amazing adventures to explore new cultures and be a part of what makes traveling expand your world and enrich your life. Whether you’re a painter, a photographer, food lover or just want to travel in small, friendly groups, this is the trip for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join in the fun as our trips fill up quickly! 

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 3 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

Spain Foodie Trek 
March 13-20, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/spain-foodie-2024/

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – Aug. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2027/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 25 – Oct. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2027/

 

 
If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.
 

  

Switzerland Art Trek Taught by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

  

“Lauterbrunnen” ©2026 Niki Gulley
12” x 9” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 
 
Day 2: Switzerland Art Trek – Lauterbrunnen
Plein Air Painting and Photo Workshop Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
An amazing group and beautiful day painting on our Switzerland Art Trek! Especially since the weather report was predicting rain, rain and more rain. I love that we have 3 different mediums – pastel, watercolor and acrylic, and everyone has their own style and viewpoint even though we’re painting the same scene. Our subject today was this picturesque church in the quaint town of Lauterbrunnen. Surrounded by beautiful mountains with waterfalls cascading down the cliff faces, it doesn’t get much more picturesque than this!
 
 
 

For details on more of my Switzerland and travel paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

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

 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

We will be returning to the gorgeous Swiss Alps in 2027. These Treks are amazing adventures to explore new cultures and be a part of what makes traveling expand your world and enrich your life. Whether you’re a painter, a photographer, food lover or just want to travel in small, friendly groups, this is the trip for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join in the fun as our trips fill up quickly! 

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 3 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

Spain Foodie Trek 
March 13-20, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/spain-foodie-2024/

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – Aug. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2027/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 25 – Oct. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2027/

 

 
If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.
 

  

Niki Gulley Paints the Dramatic Scenery in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland

  

 
“Swiss Splendor” ©2026 Niki Gulley
20” X 16” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 
 
What a day painting and photographing in Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland! The weather seemed ok to start so we thought we’d venture over to the next town to capture the dramatic scenery. As we ascended into the clouds on the gondola ride, we started second guessing that decision as we couldn’t see 2 feet in front of us through the fog!

Luckily on our descent into town, the rain stopped and there were actually patches of blue sky. So glad we persevered as it turned out to be a beautiful morning and absolutely stunning location. Add in a few church bells echoing through the canyon just to add to the magic of the moment.

To see me painting this one and even here the church bells, visit https://www.instagram.com/p/DMqBr7DoyYo/.
 
 
 

For details on more of my Switzerland and travel paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

 

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

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

 ***

 

 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

We will be returning to the gorgeous Swiss Alps in 2027. These Treks are amazing adventures to explore new cultures and be a part of what makes traveling expand your world and enrich your life. Whether you’re a painter, a photographer, food lover or just want to travel in small, friendly groups, this is the trip for you. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join in the fun as our trips fill up quickly! 

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 3 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

Spain Foodie Trek 
March 13-20, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/spain-foodie-2024/

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – Aug. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2027/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 25 – Oct. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2027/

 

 
If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.