“Morning Shadows in the Rose Garden” • 12″ x 9″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

 

 

 

SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

 

Just Sold! After a day and half in Toledo, we headed to La Mancha, following in Don Quixote’s footsteps. Larger than life and perched on this steep cliff overlooking the surrounding farmland, everyone had a great time trying to capture the giants on canvas or film. After finishing, we drove onto our next destination, Granada, and checked into our hotel. That evening we dined on an 18 course authentic Andalusian dinner while our host taught us all about Spanish foods, customs, wines and sherries. Another fun-filled day and a great way to end the evening!

 

“Dappled Light” • Sold

12″ x 9″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

 

After lunch on the first day of our Spain Art Trek, we gave everyone free time to explore the city. Some visited the Cathedral, some toured the el Greco art museum, others shopped and some painted. 

I set up my easel in this peaceful garden shaded by these massive trees and painted the colorful architecture in the distance and the beautiful dappled light raking across the scene. That evening we dined on a gourmet tapas meal of scallops wrapped in bacon with lobster sauce, duck and strawberry salad, beef tenderloin with grilled asparagus, smoked octopus and assorted desserts. Delicious and a perfect ending to a fun-filled day!

 

9″ x 12″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the last day of our Spain Art Trek, we visited Plaza de España, a Moorish paradisiacal gathering place with a half mile of tiled fountains, pavilions, ponds and lush plantings. Some of my painters captured the river and bridges flowing through the center of the park, while others focused more on the unusual architectural elements. After shooting the area, the photographers and tourists continued on to visit more of the city, and we met up that evening to catch a Flamenco concert. Filled with haunting refrains from the Spanish guitar while dancers entertained with rapid, energetic footwork, sweeping movements and mesmerizing gestures, we were so wrapped up in the performance, an hour felt like minutes. For our final night, we treated ourselves to dining outside on a delicious meal with new friends and wonderful memories.

Mini orange tree, Sevilla • 12″ x 9″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

On our first full day in Sevilla, we visited the exotic Alcazar Palace and Gardens in the morning, stopping for lunch on the way back to the hotel, and then we split up in the afternoon. The rooftop deck from our hotel had such incredible 360 degree views of the city with its interesting mix of modern and medieval architecture, from Moorish minarets and gothic cathedrals to newer residences, that we decided to paint right there. The photographers continued to explore the city while some tourists shopped and others visited the Cathedral, which is the third largest Gothic church in the world. That night we dined on an incredible authentic Andalusian dinner washed down with some tasty local wines – delicious!

Mini orange tree, Sevilla • 12″ x 9″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

After enjoying Granada, Spain, our Art Trek group continued onto the Moorish city of Sevilla. Full of energy and history, we savored all that the Andalusian capital has to offer, starting with a horse-drawn carriage  ride around the old city, then onto a fabulous dinner, and ending with photographing and viewing the romantic cathedral and city at night.

7″ x 5″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

After visiting the Alhambra grounds during the day, we went for an early dinner of Spanish tapas that evening so that we could experience sunset over the Alhambra palace. What a beautiful sight and a perfect ending to the day!