Tuscan Rose Garden Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

18″ x 24″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel by Niki Gulley
 
What a delight as we checked into our B and B in Tuscany to discover that the grounds were surrounded by rose gardens. WOW! With such a plethora of beautiful blooms, it was really hard to narrow down what to paint. Finally I landed on these red, pink and white beauties with the Tuscan villa in the distance. Two chairs invite you to sit down, enjoy a glass of wine, relax and just enjoy the gorgeous scenery. Filled with joy and color, I hope you are transported to this serene escape.
 

For details on more of my Tuscany and Italy 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/
 
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Greece Art Trek
Full

Switzerland Art Trek 
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2025 
September 20-27, 2025
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/
 

2026

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 

September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Coming Soon:
Portugal & Spain Foodie Treks – March
Croatia & Slovenia Art Treks – May/June

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] 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.

 

Day 5, Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

SOLD • “Villa with a View” ©2014 Niki Gulley • 10″ x 8″ Textured oil painting
Day 5, Cinque Terre Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 

On our fifth day in Cinque Terre, we visited the final town of Manarola. Opting to leave our paint gear and just be tourists for the morning, we joined the photographers in exploring the town and grabbing a light lunch.

“Crescendo,” Manarola ©2014 Scott Williams • photograph

That afternoon we opted to paint this picturesque Italian courtyard, keeping our composition simple for a quick, fun and colorful study. That evening we gathered for another delicious dinner!

 
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
***
We’ll be returning to Cinque Terre next fall (2026) with an exciting new Art Trek! If you’re interested in joining us there or one one of our other workshops, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

Greece Art Trek
Full

Switzerland Art Trek 
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2025 
September 20-27, 2025
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/
 

2026

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 

September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Coming Soon:
Portugal & Spain Foodie Treks – March
Croatia & Slovenia Art Treks – May/June

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] 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.

 
 

 

Visiting Vernazza, Italy with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

SOLD • Vernazza ©2018 Niki Gulley • 5″ x 7″ Textured oil painting
 
Cinque Terre Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 4 – Vernazza
 

When we arrived in Vernazza, the photographers and tourists took off exploring the town and scenic overlooks above while the painters set up their easels near the harbor to capture the beautiful golden late afternoon light. Right after sunset, Scott took the photographers to shoot the dreamy blue light and glow of the city colors. I painted the small sunset below and the other painters went shopping. Later, we all met up for a delicious dinner of locally caught fish, pastas and regional wine. Full and happy, we rode the train back to Monterosso and crashed that evening after a fun-filled day.

Vernazza Sunset ©2018 Niki Gulley • 5″ x 7″ Textured oil painting
 
“Safe Harbor,” Vernazza ©2014 Scott Williams • photograph
 
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
***
***
We’ll be returning to Cinque Terre next fall (2026) with an exciting new Art Trek! If you’re interested in joining us there or one one of our other workshops, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

Greece Art Trek
Full

Switzerland Art Trek 
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2025 
September 20-27, 2025
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/
 

2026

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 

September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Coming Soon:
Portugal & Spain Foodie Treks – March
Croatia & Slovenia Art Treks – May/June

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] 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.

 

 

Monterosso Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Morning Overlook,” Monterosso ©2014 Niki Gulley 
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ oil painting
 
 
Cinque Terre Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 3: Monterosso and Cornelia
 

After a busy day in Riomaggiore the day before, our painters stayed closer to home and painted this beautiful harbor in Monterosso. The photographers and tourists spent some time exploring our town and then took the train to Cornelia, where they shot and shopped in the village perched highest of all the Cinque Terre towns.

Later that afternoon, we reconvened and stopped by a local winery to sample their whites, reds, limoncino and regional delicious dessert wine, Sciacchetrá.
 
***
We’ll be returning to Cinque Terre next fall (2026) with an exciting new Art Trek! If you’re interested in joining us there or one one of our other workshops, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

Greece Art Trek
Full

Switzerland Art Trek 
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2025 
September 20-27, 2025
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/
 

2026

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 

September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Coming Soon:
Portugal & Spain Foodie Treks – March
Croatia & Slovenia Art Treks – May/June

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] 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.

 
***
 
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com. 

Cinque Terre Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Italian Riviera” ©2025 Niki Gulley
40″ x 30″ oil painting on canvas 
 

 

Day 2, Riomaggiore: CINQUE TERRE

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

 

On the second day of our plein-air painting and photography workshop in Cinque Terre, Italy, the sun was shining and we rode the train to the southern-most city of Riomaggiore. Setting up our easels right near the water, we enjoyed the cathartic sounds of the waves crashing against the rocky shore as we painted. I chose this view looking back at the intricate puzzle of stacked houses lining the hills while some of my students chose to paint the rocky cliffs and ocean surf. What an amazing, gorgeous, inspiring day!

 
 
 
 
E-mail me at [email protected] for more information.
 
 
To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.
 
***
Next year, we’ll be returning to Cinque Terre with an exciting new Art Trek! If you’re interested in joining us there or one one of our other workshops, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

Greece Art Trek
Full

Switzerland Art Trek 
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2025 
September 20-27, 2025
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/
 

2026

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 

September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Coming Soon:
Portugal & Spain Foodie Treks – March
Croatia & Slovenia Art Treks – May/June

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] 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.

Cinque Terre, Italy Plein Air Painting / Photo Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

“Peaceful Courtyard” ©2019 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 12″ x 9″ oil painting
 
Cinque Terre Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 1: Monterosso / the 5 Village Hike
 
We were greeted in Cinque Terre with gorgeous sunny weather, so the photographers and tourists headed out on our first morning on the 5 mile scenic hike high above, linking the five cities of the Cinque Terre, taking in breathtaking scenery along the way. With our paint gear, we opted to stay in Monterosso and capture this beautiful quiet courtyard, with its soft dappled light and lovely plantings.
 
 
That evening we connected with the hikers and enjoyed a delicious dinner of fresh caught seafood, local pesto and pasta, and tasty Italian wine. A great end to a perfect first day!
 
***
 
Good news – we’ll be returning to Cinque Terre next fall (2026) with an exciting new Art Trek! If you’re interested in joining us there or one one of our other workshops, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

Greece Art Trek
Full

Switzerland Art Trek 
Full

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2025 
September 20-27, 2025
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/
 

2026

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 

September 26 – October 3, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Coming Soon:
Portugal & Spain Foodie Treks – March
Croatia & Slovenia Art Treks – May/June

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] 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.

***
 
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 

 

“Fall’s Arrival” in Maine – Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

 

“Fall’s Arrival” ©2025 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Oh Maine! Such rugged beauty! In this piece I painted just outside of Bar Harbor, you can see the beginnings of fall hues. Birch trees are starting to vibrate with color, foreground grasses and wildflowers are bursting with joy and views over the vast ocean show glimpses of Bar Island nestled in Frenchman Bay.

 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. 

 

Contemporary Impressionistic Ocean Painting by Niki Gulley

    

SOLD • 5″ x 7″ textured acrylic painting on panel
 

I love everything about going to the beach. I love gazing into the endless horizon while listening to the rhythmic sounds of waves crashing against the shore. I love feeling the warmth of the sun against my skin while the cool sand squishes between my toes. And, I love how all of my cares disappear and I feel completely at peace engulfed in the moment.

So, getting to paint along the shoreline is almost as close as it gets to perfection! I hope you, too, can feel the joy and serenity of gazing at the ocean in this piece.

 
 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.

 

“Morning in Paradise” Palette Knife Seashore painting by Niki Gulley

  

“Morning in Paradise” ©2025 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

I wanted this painting to be about the power of the ocean to lift your spirits. Painting this piece on location, I strove to capture the sparkle the sun cast across the turquoise waters as it slowly rose above the horizon. Creating bobbing diamonds of sparkling light across the surface was truly mesmerizing to watch.

 
Visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.
 
Or e-mail me for more information at [email protected].

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

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

  

 
“Serenity Now” ©2025 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.