“Through the Cypress” Tuscany Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Through the Cypress” ©2019 Niki Gulley
12″ x 9″ textured oil painting
 

Day 2:  TUSCANY ART TREK – Montepulciano and Wine Tasting
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
 
On the second day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we set up our easels at a scenic overlook in Montepulciano while the photographers went exploring. The view of the valley below is gorgeous with miles of olive groves and vineyards stretching to the horizon. I chose to paint this lone Tuscan farmhouse below set amid the rolling hills and perfectly planted rows about to be harvested. In the afternoon, we visited two wineries and sampled some amazing red wines and the region’s prized Vin Santo. Another fantastic day in Tuscany!

 
 
For more information on this “Through the Cypress,” please contact my gallery, the Good Art Company, in Fredericksburg, TX at goodartcompany.com/gacart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=25&sort=20a&page=1&z.
 
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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!
 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2019 – Only 1 Spot left!
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Sept. 2020
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
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To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 
 

Monterosso Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Morning Overlook,” Monterosso ©2014 Niki Gulley 
SOLD • 9″ x 12″ oil painting
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 3: Monterosso and Cornelia
 
Just Sold! After a busy day in Riomaggiore the day before, our painters stayed closer to home and painted this beautiful scenic overlook of the town of Monterosso. The photographers and tourists spent some time exploring our town and then took the train to Cornelia, where they shot and shopped in the village perched highest of all the Cinque Terre towns.

Later that afternoon, we reconvened and stopped by a local winery to sample their whites, reds, limoncino and regional delicious dessert wine, Sciacchetrá.
 
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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!
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2019 – Only 1 Spot left!
Greece – May 2020
Iceland – Sept. 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.
 
 
 

Day 7, Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

“Varenna View” ©2018 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ oil painting
SOLD
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 7, afternoon location: Villa Babianello
 
After a busy schedule the day before, several of the group opted to take it easy and join a cooking class while others visited the castle in town and I chose to paint the gorgeous view from our balcony.

 
Late that afternoon, we visited the Botanic garden in Varenna, which is spectacular with its colorful tropical plantings, elaborate villa, sculptures and fountains, and fantastic views along the lake. What a great day!
 
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019
Iceland – 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.

 
 
 

Visiting Bellagio with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Bellagio” ©2018 Niki Gulley • 5″ x 7″ Textured oil painting
SOLD
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 6, morning location: Bellagio
 
The next morning we awoke rested and raring to go, so we boarded a ferry that would first take us to Bellagio. The photographers and tourists spent most of their morning exploring town and the botanic garden, shopping and shooting, while we set up our easels in the lush public gardens nearby to either capture the colorful blooms or the view of Bellagio across the harbor.

***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019
Iceland – 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.
 
 
 

Arriving in Lake Como, Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Como Beauty ©2018 Niki Gulley • 8″ x 10″ Textured oil painting
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 5: Arriving in Varenna on Lake Como
 
Next up on our Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek, we drove to the peaceful town of Varenna at the northern end of Lake Como. Our hotel has the most amazing views of the lake and the colorful town below. It’s my idea of paradise!I love the mountainous scenery surrounding the lake, the unique architecture and the lush foliage that grows everywhere. Strolling along the shore, hopping from town to town on the ferry, and just relaxing on a balcony soaking in that amazing view, are some of the highlights visiting there. On this evening, I set up my easel to capture the soft pinks and yellows as the sun set in the distance over the peaceful village, filling the scene with a magical light.

***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019
Iceland – 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.
 
 
 

Visiting Vernazza, Italy with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Vernazza ©2018 Niki Gulley • 5″ x 7″ Textured oil painting
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day3 – Vernazza
 
When we arrived in Vernazza, the photographers and tourists took off exploring the town and scenic overlooks above while the painters set up their easels near the harbor to capture the beautiful golden late afternoon light. Right after sunset, Scott took the photographers to shoot the dreamy blue light and glow of the city colors. I painted the small sunset below and the other painters went shopping. Later, we all met up for a delicious dinner of locally caught fish, pastas and regional wine. Full and happy, we rode the train back to Monterosso and crashed that evening after a fun-filled day.

Vernazza Sunset ©2018 Niki Gulley • 5″ x 7″ Textured oil painting
 
“Safe Harbor,” Vernazza ©2014 Scott Williams • photograph 
 
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019
Iceland – 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.
 
 
 

Day 2, Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

“Painted Houses,” Riomaggiore ©2018 Niki Gulley • 9″ x 12″ Textured oil painting
SOLD
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2, Morning Location: Riomaggiore
 
After a good night’s rest, we took the train that connects the five cities along the Italian coast to the southern most town of Riomaggiore. This morning the temperature was perfect, but we had more cloud cover with only occasional breaks of sunshine. Our painters set up our easels to capture this beautiful view of the colorful town and their ocean overlook while the photographers and tourists checked out the town and surroundings. 
 
That afternoon, everyone had free time and I decided to paint a small 5″ x 7″ of the harbor in the town we were staying at, Monterosso. It’s such a colorful, energetic setting!
 
 
 
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019
Iceland – 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.
 
 
 

Day 1, Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

“Vino for Two” ©2018 Niki Gulley • 10″ x 8″ oil painting
 
Cinque Terre and Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 1: Monterosso / the 5 Village Hike
 
We were greeted in Cinque Terre with gorgeous sunny weather, so the photographers and tourists headed out on our first morning on the 5 mile scenic hike high above, linking the five cities of the Cinque Terre, taking in breathtaking scenery along the way. With our paint gear, we opted to stay in Monterosso and capture this beautiful quiet courtyard, with its picturesque fountain and colorful tables. I love the courtyards in Italy – they are so warm and inviting, reminding us to relax and enjoy the moment rather than rushing onto the next thing on our list. Painted on location in Cinque Terre, Italy, I enjoyed hanging out here, taking in the sound of the fountain trickling, savoring the local red wine, and spending time conversing with my husband. I hope this painting reminds you of a similar special memory.
 
That evening we connected with the hikers and enjoyed a delicious dinner of fresh caught seafood, local pesto and pasta, and tasty Italian wine. A great end to a perfect first day!
***
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 
Spaces are filling up quickly, so don’t wait!
 
 
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Tuscany Foodie Trek – Oct. 2019
Iceland – 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 “Serpentine Drive” in Tuscany by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

“Serpentine Drive” ©2019 Niki Gulley 
12″ x 16″ textured oil painting
 
Before we taught our Tuscany Foodie Trek, my husband and I spent a few days exploring the Tuscan countryside, painting and photographing the iconic scenery. “Serpentine Drive” illustrates one of the fascinating places we stopped with its mile long cypress lined drive. It felt like the trees snaked back and forth to infinity! Setting up my easel in late afternoon, I was able to capture the dramatic light as the setting sun illuminated the tops of the rolling hills and created long, dramatic shadows. Between the repetition of the vertical arbors and the horizontally flowing hills, the scene created a rhythmic harmony that added to the joy and serenity of the moment. 
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Foodie or Art Treks, please let us know.
 
Venice, Italy Carnival – Feb. 2019
Scotland – Aug. 2019
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2019 – Only 1 Spot left!
 
For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
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To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 
 

Visiting Montepulciano and Tuscan Wineries with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

“Montepulciano,” Morning Light ©2018 Niki Gulley 

12″ x 9″ textured oil painting • SOLD

Just sold! During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Perched atop a giant hill with beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards below, I set up my easel at this breathtaking overlook while the rest of our group visited wineries or took a cooking class with a local chef. 

After lunch, we visited a winery nearby to sample their Rossos, Vino Nobiles and the delicious sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo. Full from the local meats and cheeses and tasty red wines, we headed back to the villa for a quiet night of relaxing and soaking in the evening scenery.

If you’re interested in joining us on one of upcoming Foodie or Art Treks, please let us know.

Venice, Italy Carnival – Feb. 2019

Scotland – Aug. 2019

Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2019 – Only 1 Spot left!

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

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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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