plein air painting workshop

New Vineyard Painting by Palette Knife Artis Niki Gulley

November 21, 2024

16″ x 20″ textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

by Niki Gulley

We visited Tuscany this fall and were surrounded by grapevines everywhere we went, with the gorgeous, plump purple grapes ready to harvest at any moment. I loved these vibrant vines in the foreground framing the rolling hills in the distance. Setting up my easel across from this vineyard, I created this textured painting with palette knife and a lot of paint. I arranged the planted vines to lead your eye across the canvas, stopping at the Tuscan villa on your way. Morning light cast deep purple shadows on the ground and caused the leaves and soil to glow. As a treat when I finished, we enjoyed a picnic of salami, proscuitto, pecorino and of course, vino. Yum!

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

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

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

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Only 1 Spot Left!
Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek
New Date – September 20-27, 2025
Just a couple of spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

If you have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at [email protected] or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

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Colorful Winter Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

January 16, 2024

“Morning Flow” ©Niki Gulley

9″ x 12″ textured oil painting

Available at https://www.nikigulley.com/morning-flow/.

My husband and I recently visited Iceland to gather new inspiration on film and canvas. Going in March so that we could see the northern lights, we were often greeted by snowfall and an occasional blizzard! Today was one of the days where it was too windy to paint or photograph outside so we aimed the car towards this gorgeous vista and I painted from protection of the passenger seat. I loved the play of colors with the blue of the river and sky contrasted against the golden grasses and mountains. The red branches on the winter shrubbery were particularly beautiful and I wanted to feature them in the foreground next to the focal point, meanwhile a light dusting of snow still frosts the ground and adds to the dreamlike landscape.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

Or, for one click shopping to purchase, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/morning-flow/.

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If you’re interested in joining us in 2024 on our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Iceland this coming August or on a future Art Trek or Foodie Trek, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

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“Popping Magic” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

July 3, 2023

18″ x 24″ textured acrylic painting on canvas

I painted “Popping Magic III” this spring not too far from my home. This might have been one of the best years for the poppies and wildflowers. The explosion of color was incredible! This morning started out slightly overcast, and the sun kept peeking in and out of the clouds, creating a soft glow to everything it touched. I wanted to capture that radiant light and joyful energy illuminating your journey as you wander through this magical field of blooming glory. I hope you, too, can feel the excitement of springtime with the wildflowers abloom!

For details on more of my Texas paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

New “Laundry Day II” Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

February 22, 2023

5″ x 7″ textured oil painting

I had to capture this laundry drying with a cool morning breeze set against a peeling paint backdrop in the back canals of Venice. Dramatic lighting made the sheets glow in the morning sun. I love the rich colors Europeans paint their houses!

E-mail Niki Gulley.

NikiGulley.com

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And, if you’d like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know.

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

2023 Schedule

Venice – Carnivalé

Art Trek – Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek – June 24- July 1

2024 Schedule

Spain

Foodie Trek – March

•

Portugal

Art Trek – March

•

Iceland

Art Trek – August

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – October

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

Vineyard Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

December 8, 2022

SOLD • 16″ x 20″ textured oil painting

Just Sold! In “Ready for Harvest III,” I set up my easel at the agriturismo we were staying at in Tuscany to capture this gorgeous view of the rolling hills and the grapevines planted on their property. The grapes were so plump and juicy, it looked like they could be harvested any day. I liked how the plantings framed the view in the distance, creating a sort of window pane in the foreground, with just a sliver of the farmhouse in the mid-ground. With some clouds rolling in, the sun created that unusual glow that I’ve only seen in Italy with gorgeous purple shadows and gold and pinks hitting the hillsides, giving them form. I hope you, too, are transported to this peaceful place surrounded by beauty, warmth and delicious home-grown food and wine.

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

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details on her palette knife landscape paintings.

***

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

2023 Schedule

Venice – Carnivalé

Art Trek – Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek – June 24- July 1

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

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Painting and Photographing Pienza with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

November 23, 2022

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

Day 7, Pienza: TUSCANY FOODIE TREK

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the last day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we explored the picturesque, quaint town of Pienza to enjoy its cobbled alleyways and amazing views of the valleys below. Having been home to Pope Pius II, the town is filled with interesting historical sites, great shopping, delicious lunch spots and plenty of interesting corners to paint. I chose this doorway since I loved the texture of the stone walls, the potted plants around it, and the soft light raking across it.

We capped the night off with an amazing Michelin dinner surrounded by new friends and drifted off to sleep, full, happy and at peace.

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For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

***

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

2023 Schedule

Venice – Carnivalé

Art Trek – Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek – May 27 – June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek – June 24- July 1

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

“Ready for Harvest II” Winery Painting by Texas Niki Gulley

September 1, 2022

SOLD • 16″ x 20″ textured oil painting

Just Sold! I love how in Tuscany you are surrounded by grapevines everywhere you go. My husband and I visited late in the summer to capture the area’s beauty on canvas and film. I was drawn to this vineyard outside of Montalcino, home of Brunello wines. I was attracted to the vibrant vines contrasted against the progressive miles of golden rolling hills dotted with more grapevines, olive trees, and plowed grain fields. The gorgeous, plump purple grapes were ready to harvest at any moment. Setting up my easel across from this vineyard, I began recreating the soft light that would break through the clouds and illuminate various hilltops and plantings. I arranged the vines to lead your eye back to the Tuscan villa and then to the beautiful countryside beyond. And when I finished, we treated ourselves to one of their delicious wines. A perfect afternoon!

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

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

***

We will be returning to Tuscany next May for a delicious Foodie Trek. For more information, visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

If you’re interested in joining us, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

***

“Ready for Harvest II” Winery Painting by Texas Niki Gulley

March 16, 2022

16″ x 20″ textured oil painting

I love how in Tuscany you are surrounded by grapevines everywhere you go. My husband and I visited late in the summer to capture the area’s beauty on canvas and film. I was drawn to this vineyard outside of Montalcino, home of Brunello wines. I was attracted to the vibrant vines contrasted against the progressive miles of golden rolling hills dotted with more grapevines, olive trees, and plowed grain fields. The gorgeous, plump purple grapes were ready to harvest at any moment. Setting up my easel across from this vineyard, I began recreating the soft light that would break through the clouds and illuminate various hilltops and plantings. I arranged the vines to lead your eye back to the Tuscan villa and then to the beautiful countryside beyond. And when I finished, we treated ourselves to one of their delicious wines. A perfect afternoon!

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

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

***

We will be returning to Tuscany this October for a delicious Foodie Trek. For more information, visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

If you’re interested in joining us, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

***

“Popping Sunshine IV” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

October 13, 2021

SOLD • 24″ x 12″ textured mixed media on canvas

Just Sold! Festive blossoms dance in the gentle breeze, filling this field with sweet fragrance. Set beneath a blue sky, morning light casts its warm glow. This textured painting captures a carefree spring day with poppies and colorful wildflowers overflowing the foreground, filling up the landscape with color, texture and joy.

•••

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my poppies and wildflower fields paintings.

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

New “Popping Sunshine IV” by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

June 4, 2021

24″ x 12″ textured mixed media on canvas

Festive blossoms dance in the gentle breeze, filling this field with sweet fragrance. Set beneath a blue sky, morning light casts its warm glow. This textured painting captures a carefree spring day with poppies and colorful wildflowers overflowing the foreground, filling up the landscape with color, texture and joy.

•••

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my poppies and wildflower fields paintings.

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