New “Painted Harbor” Palette Knife Painting from Portree, Scotland by Niki Gulley

“Painted Harbor” ©2019 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting

Scotland Art Trek – Days 3 and 4: Isle of Skye – Portree
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Following our two days in Edinburgh, we drove to the Isle of Skye for our next stop on our Scotland Art Trek. Making home base in the picturesque town of Portree, we checked in that night, grabbed a delicious dinner and crashed so that we could get an early start the next day. We spent that morning exploring the unique, other-worldly, lush area known as Fairy Glen. Returning to Portree for lunch, the weather cleared just in time for us to start painting and photographing. We set up our easels at this postcard-perfect overlook of the colorful painted harbor below. Meanwhile the photographers visited Old Man of Storr to hike up to the amazing overlook and capture Isle of Skye’s unique beauty. That evening we reconnected for an amazing dinner and a perfect end to the day.

Part of our group at the Fairy Glen.
 
Photographers on top of Old Man of Storr.
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
Venice – Feb. 2020
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

“Liquid Rush II” Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“Liquid Rush II” ©2019 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 9″ x 12” textured oil painting

Just Sold! For our next Iceland adventure, you guessed it – we visited another waterfall! Today the breeze was picking up again, so we aimed the car towards the falls and I painted from the front seat while the wind rocked our car and Scott to sleep. Meanwhile, I set out to capture the gorgeous falls with all of their power and glory. Using diagonal strokes again to capture the energy and strength of the cascades, I also wanted to show the mountains they were tumbling over and a sliver of the river in the distance as the water flowed onward. Dramatic clouds drift by, adding to the rhythm and emotion of this special place.

To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
Venice – Feb. 2020
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

New “Edinburgh Castle” Palette Knife Painting from Edinburgh, Scotland by Niki Gulley

“Edinburgh Castle” ©2019 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9” textured oil painting

Scotland Art Trek – Second Day: Edinburgh
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the next day of our plein air painting and photography trip to Scotland, we spent a second day in Edinburgh, exploring the scenery some more. I took the painters further down the Princess Gardens so that we could get a good view of Edinburgh Castle perched high above town. Each student captured the looming structure in a slightly different, unique, beautiful way. Meanwhile the photographers covered a lot of ground, capturing Holyrood Palace, Calton Hill and the Miracle Mile. That afternoon we gave everyone free time to explore on their own. Some visited the castle, some shopped and some photographed some more. After dinner, the Military Tattoo was going on at the castle so many of our group got the once in a lifetime chance to take in that experience, too!

Painting Edinburgh Castle.
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
Venice – Feb. 2020
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

New “Relaxation Awaits” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Relaxation Awaits” • 16″ x 20″ textured oil painting 
SOLD • ©2018 Niki Gulley
 
Just Sold! On the last day of our New England Fall Foliage Art Trek that my husband, Scott Williams, and I taught, we painters stayed right at our b and b to capture the beautiful views of fall foliage in all its splendor. I decided to paint this view out back, since I’d been admiring it every day of the trip. It was a gorgeous morning with vibrant fall colors frosting the foliage. This set of Adirondack chairs was so inviting, just welcoming you to sit, relax and enjoy the view. Long side lighting created dramatic shadows and a glow to the grasses. I hope you can escape and rejuvenate with me!
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
Venice – Feb. 2020
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Aug. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Fall 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 Palette Knife Painting of Iceland’s Waterfalls by Niki Gulley

Seljalandsfoss, Iceland ©2019 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting

For our next Iceland adventure, you guessed it – we visited another waterfall! This one is so magical and unique since you can walk behind the falls and peer out the cave as the water rushes from above crashing into the reservoir below. I set out to capture the gorgeous falls with all of their power and glory. Trying to find a dry enough place to paint where the mist wouldn’t keep erasing my drawing was a challenge, but on my third try, I finally found a good spot! Trying to time it so that I could capture the sun as it was setting in the distance just added to the enchanting feel of this location. I hope you, too, can feel these cascades power and beauty.

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, please let us know. My husband, Scott Williams, and I will be leading a painting and photography workshop to Iceland next August, and this waterfall will be one of our amazing stops. Details will be on our website shortly, and we anticipate that this trip will sell out quickly, so let us know if you’re interested.
 
 
Venice – Feb. 2020
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

New Waterfall Palette Knife Painting from Iceland by Niki Gulley

Skógafoss, Iceland ©2019 Niki Gulley
12″ x 16” textured oil painting

My husband and I both LOVE waterfalls, which turned out to be one of our favorite things about Iceland – there was a stunning waterfall everywhere we went. Today I set up my easel to capture the energy and flow of the cascades while showing the lush mountainous scenery surrounding the landscape. Creating strokes in diagonal sweeping shapes to enhance that feeling of movement and rhythm, I hope you, too, can hear the flowing water’s music and feel the gentle spray from its mist.

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, please let us know. My husband, Scott Williams, and I will be leading a painting and photography workshop to Iceland next August, and this waterfall will be one of our amazing stops. Details will be on our website shortly, and we anticipate that this trip will sell out quickly, so let us know if you’re interested.
 
 
Venice – Feb. 2020
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Aug. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

“Ross Castle” Oil Painting from Ireland by Niki Gulley

“Ross Castle” ©2019 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Day 7:  Ireland ART TREK
Afternoon location: Ross Castle, Killarney
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
On the last afternoon of our Ireland Art Trek, we visited Ross Castle. While the photographers explored the castle and grounds, the painters set up their easels to capture this majestic view of the castle and lake. Although we didn’t have enough time to finish, you can get idea of the overall scene and the fast moving clouds with a tiny patch of blue sky poking through. Afterwards, we enjoyed a peaceful boat tour of the lake and came back to our home base, to share our photos and paintings of our trip. What a great way to end a wonderful Art Trek with new friends!
 
Painting at Ross Castle.
 
Finishing up our Art Trek by sharing our paintings and photographs from the trip.
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
Venice – Feb. 2020
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 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.

“Surrounded by Color” oil painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Surrounded by Color” ©2019 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Day 7:  Ireland ART TREK
Morning location: Muckross House, Killarney
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
Just Sold! On the 7th day of Ireland Art Trek, we visited the magnificent Muckross House and Gardens, a mansion built in the 1800s. With acres of woodland, gardens and lakeside views, the photographers and tourists explored while us painters set up our easels in front of the manor house and colorful formal gardens. A challenging scene to capture with so much going on, we did our best to set the scene on our 9×12 canvases.

Our photographers and tourists going for a carriage ride on the Muckross estate.
 
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
Venice – Feb. 2020
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 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.

 
 

Painting Ireland’s Dingle Peninsula with Niki Gulley

“Jagged Edges” ©2019 Niki Gulley
7″ x 5″ textured oil painting
 
After teaching our Ireland Art Trek, my husband and I stayed a couple of extra days on the Dingle Peninsula on the west coast of Ireland. That day I chose to pull in tight on my composition of these jagged rocks and the waves crashing against them. Having fun creating the uneven textures with the palette knife, I hope you can feel the sound of the water rises and falling as it rushes against the cliffs.

 
Seaside Gallery
580 Cypress Street
Pismo Beach, California
theseasidegallery.com
***
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
Venice – Feb. 2020
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 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 “Liquid Rush II” Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“Liquid Rush II” ©2019 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting

For our next Iceland adventure, you guessed it – we visited another waterfall! Today the breeze was picking up again, so we aimed the car towards the falls and I painted from the front seat while the wind rocked our car and Scott to sleep. Meanwhile, I set out to capture the gorgeous falls with all of their power and glory. Using diagonal strokes again to capture the energy and strength of the cascades, I also wanted to show the mountains they were tumbling over and a sliver of the river in the distance as the water flowed onward. Dramatic clouds drift by, adding to the rhythm and emotion of this special place.

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

 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
Venice – Feb. 2020
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Sept. 2020
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.