france painting class

New Eiffel Tower Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 9, 2021

12″ x 9″ textured oil painting on canvas panel

After completing the Art Trek we led in Iceland, we flew to Paris to soak in the sights and culture of the City of Light. This morning, I grabbed my paints and easel and headed to the park to capture the Eiffel Tower. With the flowers in full bloom and the landmark’s visitors buzzing with excitement, I wanted to capture the joy and energy in that moment. Setting up underneath this peaceful shade tree, I liked how it framed the architecture and created a window into this romantic world.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my France painting series.

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If you’d like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

Alsace, France – Aug. 2022

Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2022

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

NikiGulley.com

“Paris in June” Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

November 6, 2017

SOLD • 12″ x 9″ oil painting

Just Sold! On the first day of our Paris Art Trek, the sun was shining and it was a lovely 80 degrees. A perfect way to start our trip! In the morning, we went up in the Eiffel Tower and enjoyed the amazing views of the city. That afternoon, we painted in a quiet park next to the tower while the photographers shot around the city, and we all convened that night for a delicious Parisian dinner.

If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to ArtTreks.org.

Please visit nikigulley.com to see more of my impressionistic plein air oil paintings.

Day 6, Paris Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Monet’s Garden

August 6, 2014

9″ x 12″ oil painting

Day 6, Paris Art Trek: Monet’s Garden

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

On the last day of our Paris Art Trek, we headed to Monet’s Garden in Giverny, which is incredible! The grounds are bursting with blooms, and they’ve kept it just like out of his paintings, especially in the water gardens. We set up our easels across from the bridge in his famous water lily paintings, and started on our own interpretations of the gorgeous location. What a treat!

That night we gathered for our last delicious meal with new friends and good memories. A perfect end to a perfect week!

If you’d like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014 • Sept. 2015

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014 • Sept. 2015

New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015

The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015

Provence, France – June 25 – July 3, 2014

Please visit NikiGulley.com (www.NikiGulley.com) to see more of my impressionistic plein air oil paintings.

Day 5, Paris Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Versailles

August 4, 2014

5″ x 7″ pastel • SOLD

Day 5, Paris Art Trek: Versailles

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop

with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Today, we packed up and left our hotel for the opulent Palace of Versailles. After touring the chateau in all of its decadence, we dined al fresco and settled on the quiet painting location above in the formal gardens. It was another gorgeous day and the grounds were in full bloom. The garden staff even offered us fixative for our pastels when we were finished painting!

Next, we arrived at our B and B in Giverny – just a little slice of heaven! I felt like we entered the pages of a fairy tale!

That night we dined on another delicious dinner of Coquilles Saint Jacques, roast lamb, giant prawns, chocolate molten cake and some delicious Bordeaux to wash it down!

Upcoming Art Treks

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014 • Sept. 2015

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014 • Sept. 2015

New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015

The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015

Provence, France – June 25 – July 3, 2014

Day 4, Paris Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Montmartre

August 1, 2014

Day 4, Paris Art Trek: Montmartre

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

On day four of our Paris Art Trek, we ditched the painting gear and headed to Montmartre, home of so many famous French Impressionists and artists. Taking in the impressive Basilica du Sacré-Coeur, exploring the back alleys, making time for a little shopping, and swinging by the Moulin Rouge on our way home, everyone enjoyed a fun-filled day of sightseeing.

Tonight’s dinner consisted of grilled steak with a red wine reduction, sautéed veggies, broiled bone marrow and scalloped potatoes. We had to wash this down with a couple of bottles of Bordeaux, which were more than up to the task. Lastly we had a chocolate chocolate something or other. It was a chocolate ganache on top of a layer of cream mixed with passion fruit, all inside a chocolate shell, covered with fruit and drizzled with raspberry sauce. All and all, not too shabby! Stay tuned for further gastronomic adventures, because you ain’t seen nothing yet!!!

Upcoming Art Treks

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014 • Sept. 2015

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014 • Sept. 2015

New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015

The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015

Provence, France – June 25 – July 3, 2014

Day 3, Paris Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Notre Dame

July 30, 2014

12″ x 9″ oil painting • SOLD

Day 3, Paris Art Trek:

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

On the third day of our Paris Art Trek, we visited Notre-Dame Cathedral it all of its Gothic Splendor. Fortified by a delicious lunch of crepes, salads and quiches, the painters went back to replicate this view of the church’s rose window across the Seine while the rest of our photographers and tourists visited Saninte-Chapelle, the Latin Quarter and St. Germaine.

That night we gathered for you guessed it…more epicurean experiences! Beef Bourguignon, Strawberry cheesecake gelato, Kir Royals and profiteroles with chocolate sauce were just a few of the highlights.

Upcoming Art Treks

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014 • Sept. 2015

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014 • Sept. 2015

New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015

The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015

Provence, France – June 25 – July 3, 2014

July 28, 2014

9″ x 12″ oil painting

Day 2, Paris Art Trek:

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

On the second day of our Paris Art Trek, half of our group visited the Louvres in the morning, and for any of my painters who had been to the museum before, we set up our easels across from this peaceful fountain in the Tuileries. It was a gorgeous day, and the light was soft and beautiful hitting the garden. We did a quick black and white value sketch to simplify the complexity of the scene, and then moved onto color. A perfect morning!

After we finished, we met up with the rest of the group for a picnic in the park, and in the afternoon some of us visited the Musee d’Orsay and their amazing impressionist art collection. That night we gathered for another amazing French dinner!

Upcoming Art Treks

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014 • Sept. 2015

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014 • Sept. 2015

New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015

The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015

Provence, France – June 25 – July 3, 2014

Day 1, Paris Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 25, 2014

12″ x 9″ oil painting

Day 1, Paris Art Trek:

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop

with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the first day of our Paris Art Trek, the sun was shining and it was a lovely 80 degrees. A perfect way to start our trip! In the morning, we went up in the Eiffel Tower and enjoyed the amazing views of the city. That afternoon, we painted in a quiet park next to the tower while the photographers shot around the city, and we all convened that night for a delicious Parisian dinner.

Upcoming Art Treks

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014 • Sept. 2015

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014 • Sept. 2015

New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015

The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015

Provence, France – June 25 – July 3, 2014