photography trips

New “Sunrise in St. Mark’s Square” Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

June 25, 2019

12″ x 16″ oil painting

I painted this piece on location in Venice during our Art Trek we taught in Venice while their infamous Carnival celebration was taking place. Since St. Mark’s Square can get overrun with tourists, we chose to get up with sunrise to enjoy the beauty of the city and the peacefulness of those early morning hours. I love the magical light that comes flooding in from the lagoon and is so distinctive of Venice. Fortunately, I got set up in time to capture the glow from the gas lamps, too, before they went out as daylight approached, adding to the mysterious quality of the plaza. Against a backdrop of the Doge’s Palace, a few people stroll across the square and signal the energy of the day that is to come.

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

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

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If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Scotland, Tuscany, Venice, Greece or Iceland, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Scotland – Aug. 2019

Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2019

Venice Carnivalé – Feb. 2020

Greece – May 2020

Iceland – Sept. 2020

Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020

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

New “Gondola Sunrise” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

June 24, 2019

10″ x 20″ textured oil painting

Rising before the crack of dawn to enjoy St. Mark’s Square before the mad rush during Carnivalé, I set up my easel along the lagoon to capture the iconic scenery and gorgeous sunrise. Luckily Mother Nature did not disappoint and the sky was filled with magical pinks, golds and oranges. I love the stack of gondolas resting along the shore just waiting to be taken out for ride. Working quickly to capture the light as it sparkles against the water, I created this piece with palette knife and a lot of oil paint so that it is filled with texture, color and movement.

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

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

***

If you’re interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Scotland, Tuscany, Venice, Greece or Iceland, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

Scotland – Aug. 2019

Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2019

Venice Carnivalé – Feb. 2020

Greece – May 2020

Iceland – Sept. 2020

Foodie Trek – Tuscany – Oct. 2020

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

Painting and Photographing Sunset in Santorini with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

November 15, 2017

SOLD • 7″ x 5″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

Just Sold! I painted this small oil on location in Santorini during our Greece Art Trek. Since we only had about 15 minutes to capture the actual sun setting, we had to sketch the scene in advance, anticipate how the light might look, and pre-mix our golden colors. Then as the sun was dropping, we quickly had to paint those warm reflected lights on the buildings and the water and the golden glow in the sky. While challenging, it was a lot of fun and such a beautiful setting to paint! Capping the evening off, we had a delicious dinner in town at the most picturesque garden restaurant and relived the highlights of the day.

Our photographers staking out their spots to shoot sunset.

Dinner that night.

If you’d like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, check out ArtTreks.org for details.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionistic paintings.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

“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.

“Afternoon Laundry” from Burano, Italy by Niki Gulley

June 12, 2017

“Afternoon Laundry,” Burano, Italy

SOLD • 7″ x 5″ • textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Just sold! On the second day of our Venice Art Trek, we headed to the islands of Murano and Burano. First Murano, famous for its beautiful glass, to see a glass blowing demonstration and tour the museum. Then, onto Burano which is known as a fishing community (and for the homemade lace that they make there), and to help the fisherman find their houses while coming back from sea, they painted their homes every color of the rainbow. With the picturesque canals and so many great colored buildings to choose from, it’s hard to pick a single subject matter! We were drawn to this quiet location, however, and the vibrant blue stucco wall with that morning’s laundry being hung out to dry screamed to be painted. Today I chose to work with thick oil paint and palette knife to capture the rough surface of the walls, resulting in a final painting which is loaded with texture and color.

Painting and photographing in Burano.

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 nikigulley.com/artreks.

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www.NikiGulley.com

Just Sold – “Balcony with a View” Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

August 19, 2016

Day 3, Greece Art Trek: Santorini

SOLD • 12″ x 9″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the third day of our Greece Art Trek, we flew to Santorini and gawked at the amazing view from our hotel overlooking the caldera. Our painters set up their easels right there since the scenery was so beautiful, while the photographers toured through town, shooting the white washed architecture and fantastic views of the ocean below. I chose this vantage of the potted succulent set against the vivid blue water and white stucco balcony. With several clouds in the sky, everything had a nice soft light that created subtle shadows, intense colors and a cool breeze, making it such a pleasant day to paint.

Taking a little time out to enjoy the view and sample the Greek wines, which are quite tasty!

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Paris and Provence, France so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing during lavender and sunflower season in France, and following in the footsteps of Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne, please join us for this amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionistic paintings.

E-mail – Niki Gulley

Day 2, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

October 7, 2015

Day 2, Greece Art Trek: Santorini

12″ x 9″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the second full day of our Greece Art Trek, we flew to Santorini and gawked at the amazing view from our hotel overlooking the caldera. Our painters set up their easels right there since the scenery was so beautiful, while the photographers toured through town, shooting the white washed architecture and fantastic views of the ocean below. I chose this vantage of the potted succulent set against the vivid blue water and white stucco balcony. With several clouds in the sky, everything had a nice soft light that created subtle shadows, intense colors and a cool breeze, making it such a pleasant day to paint.

Taking a little time out to enjoy the view and sample the Greek wines, which are quite tasty!

View of Fira, Santorini

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you’ve always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.Or, if you are in the Madison, WI area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at Art Fair on the Square.

Art Fair on the Square
Saturday, July 11 • 9am – 6pm
Sunday, July 12 • 10am – 5pm
Madison, WI • Capital Square

mmoca.org/art-fair

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Day 5, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams – Sunset Cruise

July 24, 2015

Day 5, Sunset Boat Cruise – Greece Art Trek

5″ x 7″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

That afternoon we rode the cable cars to the port below and caught a boat cruise that ferried us across the bay and around the island at sunset. Stopping at the volcano, some of our group hiked to the top, which was quite intriguing with its sci-fi type lava rock. Meanwhile some of us pulled out our paints and sketched the scenery around us. I particularly liked the casual posture and conversation of these two ladies who were part of our group, so I chose them for my subject. Both were wearing their new hats, which glowed in the sunlight. With just an hour to paint, all we could do is loosely capture a particular feeling. A fun challenge!

Next we stopped at a hot spring for anyone who wanted to swim. And, finally we cruised around the island enjoying the view from the water while the sunset on the horizon, sipping some Greek wines and nibbling on some local meats and cheeses. A great end to the day!

Watching sunset from the boat cruise.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.Or, if you are in the Denver, CO area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at the Cheesman Park Art Fest.

Cheesman Park Art Fest
Sat. July 25 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 26 • 10am – 9pm
Denver, CO
dasheventsdenver.com/#!cheesman/ctzx

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Capturing Sunrise in Santorini with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 22, 2015

Day 5, Sunrise in Oia – Greece Art Trek

8″ x 10″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

The next morning of our Greece Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop, the photographers got up early to shoot sunrise and I decided to join them. Town was so peaceful and the views were incredible. I chose this strategic location to capture the iconic blue domes over the caldera. It was cloudier this morning which created a peaceful feeling with softer sunrise colors that spread across the sky. I hope you, too, can feel the beauty and tranquility of this special spot.

Enjoying a drink that afternoon at our gorgeous pool view.

Cheesman Park Art Fest
Sat. July 25 • 10am – 9pm
Sun. July 26 • 10am – 9pm
Denver, CO
dasheventsdenver.com/#!cheesman/ctzx

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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.