Day 2, Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

“Painted Houses,” Riomaggiore ©2018 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ Textured oil painting
SOLD
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2, Morning Location: Riomaggiore
 
After a good night’s rest, we took the train that connects the five cities along the Italian coast to the southern most town of Riomaggiore. This morning the temperature was perfect, but we had more cloud cover with only occasional breaks of sunshine. Our painters set up our easels to capture this beautiful view of the colorful town and their ocean overlook while the photographers and tourists checked out the town and surroundings. 
 
That afternoon, everyone had free time and I decided to paint a small 5″ x 7″ of the harbor in the town we were staying at, Monterosso. It’s such a colorful, energetic setting!
 
 
 
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If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019
Iceland – 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
 
***
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

Day 1, Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

“Vino for Two” ©2018 Niki Gulley • 10″ x 8″ oil painting
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como 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 picturesque fountain and colorful tables. I love the courtyards in Italy – they are so warm and inviting, reminding us to relax and enjoy the moment rather than rushing onto the next thing on our list. Painted on location in Cinque Terre, Italy, I enjoyed hanging out here, taking in the sound of the fountain trickling, savoring the local red wine, and spending time conversing with my husband. I hope this painting reminds you of a similar special memory.
 
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!
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019
Iceland – 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

New “Serpentine Drive” in Tuscany by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

“Serpentine Drive” ©2019 Niki Gulley 
12″ x 16″ textured oil painting
 
Before we taught our Tuscany Foodie Trek, my husband and I spent a few days exploring the Tuscan countryside, painting and photographing the iconic scenery. “Serpentine Drive” illustrates one of the fascinating places we stopped with its mile long cypress lined drive. It felt like the trees snaked back and forth to infinity! Setting up my easel in late afternoon, I was able to capture the dramatic light as the setting sun illuminated the tops of the rolling hills and created long, dramatic shadows. Between the repetition of the vertical arbors and the horizontally flowing hills, the scene created a rhythmic harmony that added to the joy and serenity of the moment. 
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Foodie or Art Treks, please let us know.
 
Venice, Italy Carnival – Feb. 2019
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2019 – Only 1 Spot left!
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
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To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 
 

Visiting Montepulciano and Tuscan Wineries with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

“Montepulciano,” Morning Light ©2018 Niki Gulley 

12″ x 9″ textured oil painting • SOLD

Just sold! During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Perched atop a giant hill with beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards below, I set up my easel at this breathtaking overlook while the rest of our group visited wineries or took a cooking class with a local chef. 

After lunch, we visited a winery nearby to sample their Rossos, Vino Nobiles and the delicious sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo. Full from the local meats and cheeses and tasty red wines, we headed back to the villa for a quiet night of relaxing and soaking in the evening scenery.

If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Foodie or Art Treks, please let us know.

Venice, Italy Carnival – Feb. 2019

Scotland – Aug. 2019

Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2019 – Only 1 Spot left!

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

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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Visiting Montepulciano and Tuscan Wineries with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Montepulciano ©2018 Niki Gulley • 12″ x 9″ textured oil painting • SOLD
Day 2, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Just sold! The next morning of our Tuscany Art Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Perched atop a giant hill with beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards below, we set up our easels at this breathtaking overlook. We had to work quickly to capture the morning light before it disappeared, while the photographers and the others explored ancient wine cellars, quiet back alleys and even got in a little shopping.
 
After lunch, we visited two wineries nearby to sample their Rossos, Vino Nobiles and the delicious sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo. Full from the local meats and cheeses and tasty red wines, we headed back to the villa for a quiet night of relaxing and soaking in the evening scenery.
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know.
 
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   
FULL – Fall in New England – Oct. 2018
Venice, Italy (Carnival) – Feb. 2019
Spain – May 2019
Ireland – Aug. 2019
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 2019
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 
 
 

New Tuscany Palette Knife Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

“Cypress Shadows,” Tuscany ©2018 Niki Gulley 
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting
 
Just Sold! I painted “Cypress Shadows” from the villa we stay in when my husband and I are teaching our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Tuscany. The late afternoon light was so beautiful how it cast its golden glow on the landscape and stone farmhouse, and I had to capture it before it was gone. Long deep shadows from the surrounding cypress trees draw your eye into the composition and set a peaceful mood of the approaching evening. I hope you enjoy the escape to beautiful Tuscany, too, when you gaze at my painting!
 
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Vermont Fall Foliage – Oct. 2018
Spain – May 2019
Ireland Foodie Trek – Aug. 2019
Scotland Art Trek – Aug. 2019
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.arttreks.org
 
***
 
 
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

“Villa with a View” ©2018 Niki Gulley 
SOLD • 12″ x 9″ oil painting
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 6, afternoon location: Villa Babianello
 
Just Sold! In the afternoon, we visited the impressive Villa Babianello, made famous in both the James Bond and Star Wars films. It lives up to its reputation, perched atop lush formal gardens with a gorgeous scenic overlook of the water. After such beautiful views of the lake that day, we treated ourselves to an elegant dinner with another breathtaking panorama of Lake Como below. Dinner was amazing with red pepper prawn soup, scallops in pumpkin risotto, caprese salad and delicious wine to wash it down!

 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Vermont Fall Foliage – Oct. 2018
Spain – May 2019
Ireland Foodie Trek – Aug. 2019
Scotland Art Trek – Aug. 2019
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.arttreks.org
 
***
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

Painting Cinque Terre on Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Painted Houses,” Riomaggiore ©2018 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ Textured oil painting
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2, Morning Location: Riomaggiore
 
After a good night’s rest, we took the train that connects the five cities along the Italian coast to the southern most town of Riomaggiore. This morning the temperature was perfect, but we had more cloud cover with only occasional breaks of sunshine. Our painters set up our easels to capture this beautiful view of the colorful town and their ocean overlook while the photographers and tourists checked out the town and surroundings. 
 
 
When we had finished painting and exploring and eaten a delicious seafood lunch, we caught the scenic boat ride back to Vernazza, enjoying the ocean view of each town and its colorful architecture perched along the coast way. 
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Vermont Fall Foliage – Oct. 2018
Spain – May 2019
Ireland Foodie Trek – Aug. 2019
Scotland Art Trek – Aug. 2019
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.arttreks.org
 
***
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

SOLD • “Dappled Light,” New Orleans ©2017 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ oil painting 
 
New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 1: Fabourg Marigny
 
Just Sold! On the first day or our New Orleans Art Trek, I took the painters to the far end of the French Quarter to capture some of the beautiful architecture and wrought iron balconies so typical of the city while Scott led the photographers throughout the Quarter looking for the perfect shot. We couldn’t have asked for a better day. The weather was a perfect sunny 70 degrees with barely a breeze – ideal painting conditions! We breaked for lunch on delicious crab cakes, salads and sandwiches and returned that afternoon to our morning location to finish our work.

 
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Tuscany – Sept. 2017
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 2017
New England Fall Foliage – Oct. 2017
 Spain – May 2018
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit ArtTreks.org.
 
***
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
 

“Villa with a View,” Lake Como, Italy oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Villa with a View” ©2014 Niki Gulley • 12″ x 9″ oil painting • SOLD
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 7, afternoon location: Villa Babianello
 
Just Sold! After a busy schedule the day before, several of us opted to take it easy and join a cooking class while others visited the castle in town and one of the villages across the lake. We were whisked away to a tiny nearby hamlet where the chef, Moreno, prepares all of the dishes himself that he serves for dinner at his restaurant. He started the morning out by feeding us cappuccino and homemade cake to enjoy while he began showing us how to roll out and form pasta for cheese tortellini and marinara from scratch. Next up, was a decadent potatoes gruyere with ham slices, all of which we got to sample. The finalé was the creamiest mushroom risotto, local red wine, and don’t forget the limoncello for dessert. Yum!
 
Late that afternoon, we visited the Botanic garden in Varenna, which is spectacular with its colorful tropical plantings, elaborate villa, sculptures and fountains, and fantastic views along the lake. What a great day! 
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 2018
Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 2018 
New England Fall Foliage – Oct. 2018
 
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.
 
***
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.