niki gulley plein air painting workshops

Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Day 3, Rialto Market

March 16, 2023

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Day 3: Rialto Market

After breakfast, we took a vaporetto tour of the island and got off at the Rialto bridge where we wandered the fruit, vegetable and fish markets. We left the photographers there to shoot while we set up our easels in this quiet spot marking the oldest restaurant in Venice. This bridge had so much character being made completely of wood, decorated in plantings and flanked by red and white poles that we just had to paint it!

If you’d like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know. For more details, E-mail [email protected] or go to ArtTreks.org.

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

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

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Capturing Sunset, Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

March 13, 2023

Venice Carnivalé Art Trek – Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 1 – San Georgio Island

After we finished painting that morning, the photographers joined us for lunch when they were done shooting. We enjoyed a delicious pizza al fresco and afterwards the photographers kept shooting, the painters had some down time, and we reconnected late that afternoon to take the ferry across the canal to San Giorgio Island where a full masquerade of characters were gathered for sunset. My painters opted to just bring their sketchbooks and practice their quick drawing skills, capturing the costumed spectacle. That night we dined on delicious seafood pasta, fresh fish and a delicious local red wine. A great first day!

Scott Williams photograph of one of the costumes during Carnivalé.

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If you’d like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. For more details, E-mail [email protected] or go to ArtTreks.org.

Upcoming Art and Foodie Treks

Provence, France – June / July 2023 – wait list only

Spain Foodie Trek – March 2024

Portugal Art Trek – Mar. 2024

Iceland Art Trek – Aug. 2024

Tuscany, Italy Foodie Trek – Oct. 2023

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

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To see more of Niki Gulley’s contemporary textured landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

For more information, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Watching Sunset, Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

March 7, 2023

Venice Art Trek
8″ x 12″ pastel by Niki Gulley

After we finished painting that morning, the photographers joined us for lunch when they were done shooting. We enjoyed a delicious pizza al fresco and afterwards the photographers kept shooting, the painters had some down time, and we reconnected late that afternoon to take the ferry across the canal to San Giorgio Island where a full masquerade of characters were gathered for sunset. We chose this quiet location looking back at Venice framed by the docked boats for our paintings. That night we dined on delicious seafood pasta, fresh fish and a delicious local red wine. A great first day!

Scott Williams photograph of one of the costumes during Carnivalé.

If you’d like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know. For more details, E-mail [email protected] or go to arttreks.org.

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

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www.NikiGulley.com

Portugal Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

February 10, 2023

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.

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, including Portugal and Spain in 2024, please let us know.

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

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

December 14, 2022

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.

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

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

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

December 13, 2022

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.

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

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

Painting Colmar with Niki Gulley – Alsace Art Trek 2022

December 12, 2022

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.

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

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

Plein Air Painting in France with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

September 21, 2022

SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured oil painting on canvas panel

Day 3, Alsace, France Art Trek: Konigsberg Castle and Riquewihr

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

By day 3, our group was over any jet-lag remnants and raring to go, so we packed the day with fun activities! First we explored Konigsberg Castle, a fortress from the Middle Ages that has been completely renovated to its former glory. Next, we visited the Medieval village of Riquewihr, surrounded by vineyards in every direction. After exploring all of the alleyways and shops and grabbing a gourmet lunch, it was time for some wine tasting. Alsace being known for its delicious white wines, we were not disappointed.

Later that day, we returned to Colmar to relax and enjoy another delicious dinner together with new friends while we discussed our adventures from the day.

Dinner in Colmar

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

Painting and Photographing in France with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

September 20, 2022

7″ x 5″ textured acrylic painting on panel

Day 2, Alsace, France Art Trek: Eguisheim

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

After painting and photographing sunrise in Colmar, we headed to the next adorable village, Eguisheim.

Known as one of the most beautiful villages in France, this town does not disappoint! Immaculate flower filled window boxes, a bustling town square and colorful architecture greets you in every direction. Us painters set up around the fountain in the main square to capture the spirit of the city while our photographers and tourists explored the rest of all the town had to offer.

Eguisheim photo by Scott Williams

Our Art Treks group in Eguisheim town square

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

New Colorful French Architecture Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

September 19, 2022

SOLD • 9″ x 12″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Day 2, Alsace, France Art Trek: Sunrise in Colmar

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

Just Sold! This morning I dragged my body and my painting gear in the darkness to set up at this picturesque view in downtown Colmar along with the photographers who got up to capture sunrise. As the sun started rising, it illuminated the buildings and cast its colorful glow along the river and the sky. I’m so glad I made the effort and got up in time to capture it, even if the rest of my painters decided to sleep in!

Sunrise in Colmar

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