Strolling through a birch forest painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Woodland Stroll” ©2022 Niki Gulley
10″ x 20” textured oil painting

Today we continued our counterclockwise adventure around Iceland to arrive in the north, near the massive, impressive Godafoss waterfall. Unfortunately, our weather turned for the worse, and it was way too wet to paint the falls. However, just over the mountain, 20 minutes away at our b and b, the skies were fairly clear with even occasional glimpses of sunshine. I loved these birch trees all over their property, leading you down to the gorgeous view of the mountains in the distance. Sprinkled with summer wildflowers, I set out to capture the light casting long shadows from the trunks and causing the grasses to glow in the foreground, leading to a feeling of joy and serenity in this beautiful spot.

Close up texture detail of Woodland Stroll: 
 
 
If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Iceland or Tuscany, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!
 
 
Alsace, France – Aug. 2022
Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2022
 

 

For more information on upcoming Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.
 
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To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

 

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

 

“Autumn Concerto II” Fall Birch Painting by Niki Gulley

“Autumn Concerto II” ©2020 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 16″ x 20″ textured oil painting 

Just sold through The Statton Gallery! I painted this colorful birch trees on location with the fall hues emerging in all of their glory. I loved this grove of trunks that twisted and turned, slicing bright white through the tangle of autumn leaves. Painted over several mornings, the air was crisp but the sun made for beautiful painting conditions that illuminated the subject and warmed the air. I hope you, too, can feel the thrill of being surrounded by nature on a perfect fall day.

 
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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her fall aspen and birch tree paintings.
To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 

Last Day of Iceland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

“The Black Church II,” Iceland ©2021 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 6″ x 8” textured oil painting
 
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 8 – Snaefellsnes Peninsula

 

 

Just sold! We continued our Art Treks adventure around the country to the west, finishing our trip on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The last stop on our itinerary was to visit the famous Black Church. Being the only church made of black construction material on the island, its distinctive appearance stands out rising out of a relatively large, flat plateau. I wanted to capture not only its color and shape, but the dramatic clouds surrounding it. Working with palette knife and thick oil paint, this little piece is loaded with texture, color and movement. 
 
To treat ourselves at the end of the trip, we went to one of the few Michelin restaurants on the island and had the most delicious, fresh meal with newfound friends. None of us were ready for the trip to end!
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

 

 

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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.
 
 

“Golden Light” Palette Knife Painting from Iceland by Niki Gulley

“Golden Light” ©2021 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 8 – Kirkjufellsfoss

 

We completed our Iceland Art Trek that we taught on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, with its dramatic scenery and other worldly feel. First we stopped at Kirkjufell, the cone shaped “church” mountain and its waterfall on the north side of the peninsula, and also the most photographed spot in Iceland. Truly unique in its appearance, this lush conical mass rises from the earth, towering over the flat terrain around it. Sunlight caused the grasses and sky to glow, and I wanted to capture not only the unique, bizarreness of this “Church Mountain,” but also the peaceful river carving its way in front of it reaching out to the sea. Choosing a multi-colored palette adds to the joy and energy of this magical spot. 

 

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

 

 

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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.
 
 

Where Two Continents Collide on Art Treks Iceland Adventure

        

“Rural View II” ©2021 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 7 – Thingvellir National Park / Stykkisholmur

 

On the seventh day of our Iceland Painting and Photography Workshop we led, we stopped by one of the major attractions in Iceland, Thingvellir National Park. One of the highlights is when our group got to “see” where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
 
 
After hiking around the park, we ventured onto our last hotel along the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. I was taken by their simplistic architecture, often topped with bright red roofs to add a pop of color to the natural landscape. I chose this barn and set out to capture its shape, the colors and light hitting the structure, and the picturesque, idyllic, quiet scenery surrounding the building in all directions. I was drawn to the complimentary color palette of orange/gold grasses contrasted against a beautiful blue sky reflecting into the pond behind the barn. Playing off those colors in the distant mountains, I wanted this piece to be full of texture, joy and energy. 
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

 

 

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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.
 
 

Touring the Golden Circle with Niki Gulley’s and Scott Williams’ Art Treks

       

“Liquid Rush” ©2021 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 9″ x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel
 

 

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 6 – Geysir and Waterfalls on the Golden Circle
 

 

That afternoon, we stopped by the Geysir for the photographers to capture the thermal explosion of water and steam, which explodes about every 5 minutes. So much fun to watch! After that, we finished the day with – you guessed it! One more waterfall. Slightly off the beaten path, these cascades rush over rocky cliffs to empty into this massive river valley that will eventually flow out to sea. A great way to end the day.

 

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

Iceland’s Gorgeous Waterfalls – Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“Cascades IV” ©2021 Niki Gulley
8″ x 6” textured oil painting on canvas panel
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 6 – The Golden Circle
 
On the sixth day of our Iceland Art Trek, we toured several scenes along the Golden Circle drive, north of Reykavik. In the morning, we hiked back to these beautiful falls that empty into this gorgeous pool of turquoise churning water. While the payoff is definitely worth the hour-long hike, I was really glad I lightened my gear to just a canvas, carrier, 4 paints and a palette knife and ditched the heavy easel and tripod. Balancing my canvas on my lap, I was pleased with the results and really enjoyed the peaceful falls. Now we just had to hike back out!
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
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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.
 
 

Painting and Photographing Godafoss Waterfall on Niki Gulley’s and Scott Williams’ Art Trek to Iceland

   

“Cascades III” ©2021 Niki Gulley
9″ x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 5 – Godafoss

 

That evening we arrived in time to witness sunset over the massive Godafoss falls at the top of The Golden Circle. The colors were so beautiful in the sky and created a rainbow of reflected colors in the cascading water. Sketching out my composition and squeezing out my colors ahead of time helped me be able to capture this fleeting moment. I hope you can hear the surging water and feel the joy of this magical place.
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
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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.
 
 

New “Heathered Hills” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

   

 

“Heathered Hills” ©2021 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 8″ x 6” textured oil painting on canvas panel
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 5 – Driving through Iceland’s Beautiful Countryside

 

Just Sold! The next morning, we loaded everyone back up in the van to continue our gorgeous tour of Iceland during our Art Trek we led in August. This summer the wildflowers dotting the roadsides were beautiful. From the soft pinks of Heather to the bold blues of the Lupines to cheerful pops of gold, I just had to capture their joy and color. 
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 

 

 

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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.
 
 

Painting Iceland’s Waterfalls with Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

“Cascades II” ©2021 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 8″ x 6” textured oil painting on canvas panel
 
Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 4 – Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

 

Just Sold! Later that day, while Scott and the photographers were photographing the glacier lagoons, I continued painting the beautiful waterfall on our hotel’s grounds. Pulling in tight on this one just to focus on the rush of the water and the textures of the rocks, I hope you feel the power of nature to invigorate and lift one’s spirits!
 
 
To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.
 
 
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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.