plein air painting classes

Visiting the Alhambra Palace with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 5, 2016

Day 3 – Granada, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

12″ x 9″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the third day of our Spain Art Trek, we visited the Alhambra palace, one of the world’s true architectural marvels and the seat of power from Moorish to Christian rule, dating back to the 14th century. This stunning fortress is the culmination of Moorish design and has some of the best maintained late-Medieval gardens. The Generalife grounds were so gorgeous, bursting with cascading roses and dramatically lit pathways that we set up our easels there to paint while the photographers and tourists toured more of the grounds. Later that day, we met for lunch and continued our tour of the Alcazar.

Part of our Art Trek group in front of the Alhambra Palace.

Next summer we will be leading three different Art Treks 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 trips!
See details at ArtTreks.org.

Please check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist landscape oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Painting and Photographing Don Quixote’s Windmills with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 1, 2016

Day 2 – La Mancha, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

After a day and half in Toledo, we headed to La Mancha, following in Don Quixote’s footsteps. Larger than life and perched on this steep cliff overlooking the surrounding farmland, everyone had a great time trying to capture the giants on canvas or film. After finishing, we drove onto our next destination, Granada, and checked into our hotel. That evening we dined on an 18 course authentic Andalusian dinner while our host taught us all about Spanish foods, customs, wines and sherries. Another fun-filled day and a great way to end the evening!

Painting windmills in La Mancha

Next summer we will be leading three different Art Treks 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 trips! See details at ArtTreks.org.

Please check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist landscape oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Andalusia Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams: Toledo

July 29, 2016

Day 1, Afternoon – Toledo, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

12″ x 9″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

After lunch on the first day of our Spain Art Trek, we gave everyone free time to explore the city. Some visited the Cathedral, some toured the el Greco art museum, others shopped and some painted.

I set up my easel in this peaceful garden shaded by these massive trees and painted the colorful architecture in the distance and the beautiful dappled light raking across the scene. That evening we dined on a gourmet tapas meal of scallops wrapped in bacon with lobster sauce, duck and strawberry salad, beef tenderloin with grilled asparagus, smoked octopus and assorted desserts. Delicious and a perfect ending to a fun-filled day!

Dinner in Toledo

Next summer we will be leading three different Art Treks 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 trips! See details at ArtTreks.org.

Please check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist landscape oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Andalusia, Spain Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

July 27, 2016

Day 1 – Toledo, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

9″ x 12″ oil painting by Niki Gulley

On
the first full day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that
my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in southern Spain, the painters set up their easels at this gorgeous overlook of the river below and the San Martin bridge built in the 14th century. Meanwhile the photographers and tourists visited the major sites in the city from Medieval synagogues, churches and mosques to wandering the labyrinth of streets and shops. Meeting up for lunch, we dined al fresco on paella, fresh salads and stews, while we swapped experiences from our morning.

Painting at the San Martin bridge overlook

Next
summer we will be leading three different Art Treks 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 trips! See details at ArtTreks.org.

Please check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist landscape oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Just Sold – French Riviera Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

May 18, 2016

Villefranche and Monte Carlo – French Riviera Art Trek

SOLD • 12″ x 9″ oil by Niki Gulley

Just Sold! On our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in the French Riviera we all went in different directions on the third day. I took the painters to this beautiful scenic overlook while Scott drove the photographers along the corniches in search of the best vantages and photographs, while others relaxed at the pool at the hotel.

That afternoon, we explored the bustling old city of Monaco and later that evening tried our hand at the casinos. One person in our group even won $336 on the slot machines! That evening we dined al fresco on a delicious three course meal, enjoying the company of new friends.

A delicious dinner in Monaco.

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! For more details, visit art treks.org.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Painting and Photographing Lavender Fields in Provence with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

March 30, 2016

Provence Art Trek: Lavender Fields

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

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

Just Sold through the Good Art Company Gallery! On our Provence Art Trek last year, we set up our easels in this gorgeous lavender field. The color and aroma explosion were out of this world – a painter’s and photographer’s dream come true. Words can’t even describe how special that moment was!

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Painting and Photographing Lavender Fields in Provence with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

September 2, 2015

Day 5, Provence Art Trek: Lavender Fields

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

On the fourth day of our Provence Art Trek, we set up our easels in this gorgeous lavender field. The color and aroma explosion were out of this world – a painter’s and photographer’s dream come true. Words can’t even describe how special that moment was!

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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

August 28, 2015

Day 3, Provence Art Trek: Les Baux / Chateauneuf

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
7″ x 5″ textured oil painting

On the second day of our Provence Art Trek, we visited the picturesque town of Les Baux, perched atop its rocky outcropping with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside below. Some folks visited the castle, galleries and shops while the painters set up in this quiet plaza capturing the unique stone residences, medieval cathedral or picturesque courtyard.

In the afternoon we went to one of the most renowned wine towns in the world and sampled some amazing Chateaunef du Pape wines.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Visiting Arles with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams, Provence Art Trek 2015

August 26, 2015

Day 1, Afternoon Location: Arles

Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

In the afternoon, we visited the ancient Roman city of Arles, marveling at its in tact amphitheater from 90 AD, triumphal arch, and ancient theater, while retracing the footsteps of Van Gogh and seeing his colorful vision of rather ordinary painting locations. Last stop on our Van Gogh tour, we chose to paint at the asylum where he stayed, creating our own versions of the lovely courtyard garden.

That night, we feasted on mussels, sea bream, various meat dishes and mouth-watering pastries at an award-winning restaurant. Bon Appetit!

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

August 24, 2015

Day 1, Provence Art Trek

12″ x 9″ textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the first night of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in southern France, we arrived at our B and B and went into town that evening for a wine tasting and amazing dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant. The food was out of this world, the weather was perfect for dining outside, and our new group was great company!

The next morning, our painters stayed at our b and b and painted right there since the grounds were so beautiful.The light raking across the balcony and shutters was so dramatic, and I loved how the gnarly trees framed the composition to make a window within a window. Meanwhile, the photographers visited a nearby 11th century Abbey and took some incredible photographs. We met up later that day and headed to the nearby town of Arles for lunch.

Wine tasting in Provence.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.