Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley Painting in Tuscany

 

18″ x 18″ textured acrylic painting on canvas ©2022 Niki Gulley
 
I couldn’t resist painting another day in this beautiful rose garden in Tuscany. Feeling ambitious today and not wanting to be constrained capturing the gorgeous scene on a small canvas, I decided to work much larger. I was attracted to these bountiful climbing roses framing the villa in the distance as they stretched across this arched trellis. Wanting to keep this piece loose and free, I created abstract passages in the scene so these crimson beauties could be the star. Running out of time on location, I’ll finish this piece in my studio with a few final touches to pull everything together, but retain the mood of a dreamlike reality.
 
 

For details on more of my Tuscany and Italy 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 France, Tuscany, or Venice, 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
 

 

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

 

The Magic of Tuscany Painted by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

  

SOLD • 16″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel ©2022 Niki Gulley
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 6, Afternoon: Cooking Class
 
After a fun-filled morning of wine tasting, we returned to our villa to learn how to make authentic Tuscan meals from a local home chef. From hand rolled pasta, to roasted pork, to various pizzas and appetizers and finishing with a chocolate cherry ricotta torte, they shared their homemade creations with the rest of us, which were delicious!
 
While the rest of our group was learning how to recreate an Italian feast, I had been admiring this view from the back of our villa. The surrounding scenery is breathtaking with 360 degree views of rolling hills and valleys, dotted by olive groves and quintessential Tuscan farmhouses. Today the late afternoon light was so beautiful how it cast its golden glow on the landscape, and I had to capture it before it was gone. Uplifting flowers from the Tuscan garden frame the foreground as the serpentine roads lead you up over the hills and into the distance. I hope you enjoy the escape to beautiful Tuscany, too, when you gaze at my painting!
 
***
 

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/
 
 
***
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, 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
 

 

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

 

Visiting Vineyards and Wine Tasting with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

16″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel ©2022 Niki Gulley
 
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 6: Wine Tasting in Montalcino
 
Today we visited the nearby hill town of Montalcino and sampled their famous Brunello wines. The vino was beyond delicious and the spread of homemade bruschetta and local meats and cheeses were paired perfectly. Stopping off along the way, we toured an ancient Monastery that feels so spiritual in its divine simplicity that everyone found it a highlight of the trip.
 
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!
 
 
 
***
 

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/
 
 
***
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, 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
 

 

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

 

“Sunny Dreams” Palette Knife Sunflower Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

  

“Sunny Dreams” ©2022 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 24″ x 48″ textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
 
 
Just sold! I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of color and energy. Set beneath a glowing sky on a beautiful summer evening with the sunflowers in full bloom, you can just make out the stone farmhouse in the distance against a backdrop of purple mountains surrounding the plain. Creating almost a patchwork with the sunflowers and their leaves, unexpected pops of red and purple peek out creating a rhythm and energy to the foreground. Perky, circular faces smile back at you and I hope all of your cares drift away while gazing into this cheerful scene.
 
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape or sunflower paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
For more information on our plein air painting and photography Art Treks workshops in France and Europe, please e-mail Niki Gulley.
 
***
 
 

 

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

 
***

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

“Ready for Harvest II” Winery Painting by Texas Niki Gulley

  

“Ready for Harvest II” ©2022 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 16″ x 20″ textured oil painting

Just Sold! I love how in Tuscany you are surrounded by grapevines everywhere you go. My husband and I visited late in the summer to capture the area’s beauty on canvas and film. I was drawn to this vineyard outside of Montalcino, home of Brunello wines. I was attracted to the vibrant vines contrasted against the progressive miles of golden 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 Tuscan villa and then to the beautiful countryside beyond. And when I finished, we treated ourselves to one of their delicious wines. A perfect afternoon!

 

To see more of my travel location paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 

 
***
 
 

We will be returning to Tuscany next May for a delicious Foodie Trek. For more information, visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

 
If you’re interested in joining us, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly! 
 
 

***

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

 

 

“Morning Glow” oil painting by Contemporary Impressionist Artist Niki Gulley

 

“Morning Glow, White Rock Lake” ©2022 Niki Gulley
oil on canvas • 20″ x 16″

 

On a peaceful spring morning, I set up my easel at White Rock Lake to capture the sun rising behind this beautiful, tangled Cottonwood tree. I liked how the warm light showed off the tree’s curves and textured bark, and I chose this vertical composition to show off its size and strength. In the distance, the sun glistens along the water’s surface and I hope this scene lifts your spirits for what the day has to bring.
 
For more information and framing options, check out nikigulley.com/morning-glow/.

 

***

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

E-mail – Niki Gulley
 

“Tuscan Vista” Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

 

“Tuscan Vista” ©2022 Niki Gulley
12″ x 16” textured oil painting
 
I painted “Tuscan Vista” from the villa we stay in when my husband and I are leading our Foodie Trek in Italy. The late afternoon light was so beautiful how it cast its golden glow on the landscape and stone farmhouses, and I had to capture it before it was gone. Uplifting poppies frame the foreground as the serpentine roads lead you up over the hills and into the distance. I hope you enjoy the escape to beautiful Tuscany, too, when you gaze at my painting!
 

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

 

 

***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.  
 

 

2022 Schedule
Alsace 
Art Trek – Aug. 20-27
Tuscany 
Foodie Trek  – Oct. 8-15
 
2023 Schedule
Venice – Carnivalé 
Art Trek – Feb. 12-18
Provence
Art Trek – June 24- July 1
Tuscany
Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3
New England
Art Trek – Oct. 10-15
 

 

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

“Ruby Road” Palette Knife Poppy Painting by Niki Gulley

 

“Ruby Bouquet” ©2022 Niki Gulley
12″ x 16” textured oil painting

I absolutely love it when I come across a whole field of wildflowers – there is something about the transformation of a single dainty flower into a dense explosion of color that inspires awe and delights your senses. Inspired by our travels to Italy, cypress trees rise out of the vast open landscape signaling that you have arrived in Tuscany! Perched on a hilltop with its long curving driveway, this villa is set against the perfect backdrop for a romantic escape. Rows of ruby blooms draw your eye back to the rolling hills and beautiful billowing clouds. Painted with palette knife and thick oil paint, this canvas is loaded with movement, color and dimension.

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

 

 

 
 
***
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.  
 

 

2022 Schedule
Alsace 
Art Trek – Aug. 20-27
Tuscany 
Foodie Trek  – Oct. 8-15
 
2023 Schedule
Venice – Carnivalé 
Art Trek – Feb. 12-18
Provence
Art Trek – June 24- July 1
Tuscany
Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3
New England
Art Trek – Oct. 10-15
 
***
 
https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/
 
 

New “Guiding Us Home” Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Guiding Us Home” ©2022 Niki Gulley
16″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Inspired by our travels to Italy, cypress trees rise out of the vast open landscape signaling that you have arrived in Tuscany! Nestled in a valley with its long arbor-lined driveway, this villa is set against the perfect backdrop for a romantic escape. Undulating rows of wheatfields and vineyards draw your eye back through the rolling hills and beautiful billowing clouds drift overhead.  Late day sunlight casts dramatic shadows creating a rhythm beckoinging you to journey down the drive, guiding you home. 

To see more of my travel location paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

***
 
 

We will be returning to Tuscany this October for a delicious Foodie Trek. For more information, visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

 
If you’re interested in joining us, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly! 
 
 
***
 

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

 

 
 
 

New Tuscany Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Misty Morning,” Tuscany ©2022 Niki Gulley
16″ x 20″ textured oil painting
 

On this morning in Tuscany, we decided to get up really early so that we could capture sunrise over this beautiful valley. The hills were surrounded by a layer of mist that created this ethereal, peaceful quality to the morning. I really liked how the fog accentuated the miles and miles of rolling landscape, perfectly off-setting the villa surrounded by cypress and olive groves in the foreground. While I’m not usually an early morning person, this turned out to be a very inspiring moment!

To see more of my paintings from Tuscany, visit nikigulley.com.

 

***

We will be returning to Tuscany this October for a delicious Foodie Trek. For more information, visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

 
If you’re interested in joining us, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly! 
 
 

***

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