Visiting Vineyards and Wine Tasting with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

“Awaiting Harvest” ©2023 Niki Gulley
16″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 
 
 
In the above painting you can see an example of the vineyards dotting the hills of this Tuscan region. With the weather turning colder, you can see the first signs of fall as these colorful grapevines turn beautiful oranges and golds. I was attracted to the vibrant vines contrasted against the progressive miles of rolling hills dotted with more grapevines, olive trees, and plowed grain fields. The gorgeous, plump purple grapes were ready to harvest at any moment. Setting up my easel across from this vineyard, I began recreating the soft light that would break through the clouds and illuminate various hilltops and plantings. I arranged the vines to lead your eye back to the hill town and the beautiful countryside. I hope you can taste the delicious wine and escape to Tuscany with me!
 
Visit my shot at nikigulley.com/awaiting-harvest/ to purchase “Awaiting Harvest.”
 
 
 

 

To join us on next year’s Foodie Trek to Tuscany, or Iceland, visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
Spaces fill up quickly!
 

 

Tuscany Foodie Trek
October 12 – 19, 2024

 

***
 
 

For more details on my other Tuscany 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/
 
 
***
 

 

Uplifting Palette Knife Sunflower Painting by Niki Gulley

 

“Sunshine Serenade” ©2023 Niki Gulley
16″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 
 

Started on location in Tuscany, these bright, smiling faces just lifted my spirits and I had to paint them to share their cheer with you! Beyond these joyous sunflowers, the quintessential Tuscan farmhouse has the best view of the surrounding valleys. Misty clouds rise from the horizon as cooler nights meet warmer days and set the stage of the magical light and dreamy allure of Tuscany. The resulting painting is full of warmth, color and texture, and my hope is that when you gaze into it, this piece lifts your spirits and brightens up any spot in your home.

 
If interested in purchasing this piece, click here nikigulley.com/sunshine-serenade/.
***
 

For details on more of my Tuscany or sunflower 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 to Portugal, Spain, Tuscany, or Iceland, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
2024 Schedule
 
Portugal Art Trek
March 10 – 17
Spain Foodie Trek
 

March 18 – 24

Iceland Art Trek
August 5 – 13
Tuscany Foodie Trek
October 12 – 19

 

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

 

“Field of Dreams” Large Triptych Sunflower Painting by Niki Gulley

 

 

“Field of Dreams” ©2023 Niki Gulley
Three 48″ x 36″ canvases to form a 48″ x 90″ triptych
textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
 
Field of Dreams is inspired from the beautiful sunflower fields we visited in Provence, France. The flowers seemed to stretch forever and the color explosion was out of this world! Back in my studio, I worked from a combination of photos, on-site sketches and memories. Painting the sunflowers full-sized in the foreground helps to bring them to life and hopefully transport you to this happy location. Including surprising pops of vivid reds and purples keeps your eye moving throughout the scene, seeing new things each time you look at it, and adds to the joyful feeling.
 
To purchase this original painting, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/field-of-dreams/.
 
Or, if you would prefer a print on canvas, please e-mail Niki Gulley for details.
 
***
 
 

 

If you’d like to join us in Provence this summer and learn to paint like Van Gogh, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org for more information.

 
***

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

New “Laundry Day II” Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

 
“Laundry Day II” ©2022 Niki Gulley
5″ x 7″ textured oil painting 
 

I had to capture this laundry drying with a cool morning breeze set against a peeling paint backdrop in the back canals of Venice. Dramatic lighting made the sheets glow in the morning sun. I love the rich colors Europeans paint their houses!

 

E-mail Niki Gulley.
 

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

 
***
 
And, if you’d like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know. 
These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!
 

 

 
2023 Schedule
Venice – Carnivalé 
Art Trek – Feb. 12-18
Tuscany
Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3
Provence
Art Trek – June 24- July 1
 
2024 Schedule
 
Spain
Foodie Trek – March  
Portugal
Art Trek – March 
Iceland
Art Trek – August
Tuscany 
Foodie Trek – October
 

 

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

Portugal Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

    

“Atlantic Coastline” ©2022 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting
 
Portugal Art Trek: 
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Day 1 – Cascais

 

Once we finished researching our 2022 Art Trek to Alsace, France, we flew to Portugal to begin leading this summer’s Art Trek to our intrepid group. Our first afternoon was rather leisurely since most of our group was arriving from the United States and shaking off their jet lag. So once everyone checked into our oceanside hotel and took a short nap, we set out on a walking tour of our home base town, Cascais. The Atlantic Ocean hugs its coastline, and there is a great walking trail all along the city. Above, you can see how I wanted to capture the gorgeous rock formations and the beautiful colors in the ocean. 
 
After finishing taking in the beautiful scenery along the water, we wandered the maze of tiled streets throughout town, soaking in the architecture and energy, and finished the night with a delicious dinner of Portuguese tapas. A great way to start the trip!
 
View from our hotel
 
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

 

 

***
 
If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, including Portugal and Spain in 2024, please let us know. 
 
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
***

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

 

New Cheerful Sunflower Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

20″ x 10″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel ©2022 Niki Gulley
 
I can’t believe there are sunflowers blooming in every garden in Switzerland. You know I had to paint them! Here are some beauties outside our B and B with the gorgeous mountains behind them.
 

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/
 
 
***
 
 
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!
 
2023 Schedule
Venice – Carnivalé 
Art Trek – Feb. 12-18
Tuscany
Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3
Provence
Art Trek – June 24- July 1
Switzerland
Summer 2025
 

 

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

 

Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley Paints Switzerland

 

9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel ©2022 Niki Gulley
SOLD
 
Just Sold! We finally stopped hiking 20,000 steps today and I actually had time to paint! Here’s the view from our B and B in Switzerland. The scenery here was s gorgeous!!!
 

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/
 
 
***
 
 
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!
 
2023 Schedule
Venice – Carnivalé 
Art Trek – Feb. 12-18
Tuscany
Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3
Provence
Art Trek – June 24- July 1
Switzerland
Summer 2025
 

 

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

 

Last Day of Niki Gulley’s and Scott Williams’ Alsace Art Trek

        

©2022 Niki Gulley
12″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
Day 6, Alsace, France Art Trek: Colmar or Strasbourg
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

 

As always, this Art Trek flew by and it was already the last day. So, we decided that we had so much fun painting earlier in the week in Colmar, that we would revisit that beautiful spot and paint in another direction since the scenery was inspiring all around. Today I set up my easel amongst the Russian sage and Black-eyed Susans to capture their joy and energy with a sliver of the cross-timbered architecture in the distance to set the stage. Meanwhile below you can see some of my talented students’ paintings working in watercolor, pastel and acrylic.
 
Painting amongst the Russian sage and Black-eyed Susans
 
Students’ pastel, watercolors and acrylics

 

 
While we painted the rest of our group hopped a train to Strasbourg and toured the town, and others just enjoyed their last free day in Colmar. That night we gathered for one more delicious dinner, enjoying the company of new friends. What an amazing Trek!
 
 
Toasting to our last night!

 

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

 

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

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

 
 

Painting and Photographing Alsace Wine Towns with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

       

©2022 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
Day 5, Alsace, France Art Trek: Ribeauvillé
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

 

After a relaxing day in Colmar, we ventured forth on day 5 to visit the next picturesque village on the Alsatian wine route, Ribeauvillé. My painters and I set up in this beautiful park to capture the surrounding beauty while the photographers went in search for the perfect shot and the tourists grabbed the train, which toured the area and gave them some history on the region. I loved all of these colorful planted flowers, so working more loosely and impressionistically today, I set out to capture the joy of the moment. 
 
 
Gardens in Ribeauvillé
 
 
After lunch, we then toured the Trimbach winery to learn about their wine-making process, and of course, sample some of their famous wines. Delicious!
 

 

 
Wine tasting with our group

 

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

 

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

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

 
 

Painting Colmar with Niki Gulley – Alsace Art Trek 2022

      

©2022 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 12″ x 9″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel
 
Day 4, Alsace, France Art Trek: Colmar
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

Just Sold!  On the fourth day of our Alsace Art Trek, it was time to slow down the pace and enjoy our home-base town of Colmar.  This city is so enchanting, like something out of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale, that it is hard to narrow down what to paint. I settled on this quiet area along the canals where my painters could sit and take in the beautiful views. Each student found their own unique scene to capture. Meanwhile I actually decided to paint my students sitting on this picturesque bench. Gary with his straw hat looked so dapper that I had to record the moment in acrylic!
 
 
While we painted, the photographers and tourists continued to explore every narrow alleyway, historical building and square, picturesque canal and French/German accents indicative of only the Alsatian region. Later that evening, we reconvened for a delicious dinner and to discuss stories from our day.
 
 
Photographers posing in Colmar – hard at work!
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

 

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

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