Painting Italian Textures by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

 

"Flowering Nook," Tuscany ©2026 Niki Gulley

12" x 16" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

When we checked into our B and B in Tuscany this year, we were greeted by beautiful plantings everywhere. I fell in love with these gorgeous geraniums lining their Italian stairway and the soft light illuminating this courtyard. With my palette knife, I set out to capture all of the different textures from the Roman  stone wall to the cobble path to the brick accents. Filled with joy and color, I hope you are transported to this serene escape.

For details on more of my Tuscany or European paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

***

 Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you're in luck if you've always wanted to go! We've had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2026. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026

Just A Few Spots left!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

Registration Now Open

 

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org 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.

"Windows on the World" Oil Painting by Niki Gulley from Tuscany

 

"Windows on the World" ©2026 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured oil painting on panel

Inspired by Tuscany, you can almost imagine what the view must be like when you throw open the shutters and greet the morning as the scene unfolds below you! I loved the morning light raking across the building, casting long shadows and causing the textured stone and brick to tell its detailed history. And, there’s always one piece of laundry that refuses to dry as quickly as the others on the closthesline!

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

NikiGulley.com

__________________________________________________________________________________

 Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you're in luck if you've always wanted to go! We've had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2026. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026

Just A Few Spots left!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

Registration Now Open

 

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org 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.

__________________________________________________________________________________

Siena Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

  

Siena ©2025 Niki Gulley

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

Day 3:  TUSCANY ART TREK - Siena

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

Just sold! On the third day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we visited the Medieval hill town of Siena, with its incredible marble Duomo, great people-watching plaza, and interesting alleyways radiating out from the campo with something new to discover around every turn. While some of our group shopped, some photographed and others relaxed on the square, I set up in one of the quiet cobble streets to capture the textures of these ancient walls and mood of this unique city. It turned out the homeowner who lived in the yellow house was so happy that I was painting his home, that he kept checking on my progress while I was working. I love getting to meet the locals while I work!

For dinner that night, we treated ourselves to a delicious home-made Italian meal of pastas, truffles, pecorino cheese and some amazing red wine!

***

 Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you're in luck if you've always wanted to go! We've had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2026. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026

Just A Few Spots left!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

Registration Now Open

 

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org 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.

***

E-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com for more information.

NikiGulley.com

"Olive Grove" from Tuscany by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

  

"Olive Grove," Tuscany ©2026 Niki Gulley 

10" x 20" textured oil painting

During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montalcino to sample some of Italy's world famous Brunello. On our way, we stopped at this beautiful convent with massive ancient olive trees growing on the grounds. In the distance, you can see the nearby hill town with vineyards and more olive groves lining the hillside. I wanted to capture the beauty of those regal olive trees on a beautiful sun-filled day in Tuscany.

****

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

Or, to purchase "Olive Grove," click here: nikigulley.com/olive-grove/.

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

***

 Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you're in luck if you've always wanted to go! We've had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2026. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026

Just A Few Spots left!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

Registration Now Open

 

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org 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.

Painting in Venice with Painting Teacher Niki Gulley

 

  

"Laundry Day IV" Burano ©2026 Niki Gulley

5" x 7" textured oil painting on panel

On the second day of our Venice Art Trek, we headed to the islands of Burano and Murano. Burano 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 yellow stucco wall with that morning's laundry being hung out to dry and the bicycle waiting for a ride. 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.

www.NikiGulley.com

E-mail - Niki Gulley

***

 Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you're in luck if you've always wanted to go! We've had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2026. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026

Just A Few Spots left!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

Registration Now Open

 

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org 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.

***

Visiting Siena, Italy - Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

"Passageway," Siena ©2026 Niki Gulley

7" x 5" oil painting on panel

Day 4:  TUSCANY ART TREK - Siena

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

On the fourth day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we visited the Medieval hill town of Siena, with its incredible marble Duomo, great people-watching plaza, and interesting alleyways radiating out from the campo with something new to discover around every turn. While some of our group shopped, some photographed and others relaxed on the square, I set up in one of the quiet cobble streets to capture the textures of these ancient walls and mood of this unique city. For dinner that night, we treated ourselves to a delicious home-made Italian meal of pastas, truffles, pecorino cheese and some amazing red wine!

That night we had a Tuscan chef prepare us an amazing 7 course meal at the villa - Buon Appetito!

 NikiGulley.com

E-mail Niki Gulley

•••

Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you're in luck if you've always wanted to go! We've had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2026. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 
September 26 - October 3, 2026
Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org 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.

New "Playtime" Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

"Playtime" ©2026 Niki Gulley

14" x 11" textured acrylic painting on canvas

Filled with whimsy and movement, I hope "Playtime" captures the memories of swinging from sturdy branches on a lazy summer day. Using staccato strokes, adds to the energy of the moment while fun pops of color build excitement. Not a care in the world, I hope you can feel the joy as you fly high and soar on a dream. 

To view more of my palette knife impressionist landscape paintings, check out nikigulley.com.

Or, e-mail me at Niki Gulley for more information.