Rooftop Overlook from Tuscany by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

"Terra Cotta Rooftops" ©2022 Niki Gulley 

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

Tuscany Foodie Trek - Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 3:  Montepulciano, Italy

During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Scott took our group on a tour of the city, making sure to visit the underground Etruscan tunnels, stopping at some of the wineries for some samples and allowing everyone to do some shopping.

Meanwhile, I set up my easel at this breathtaking overlook. The view of the valley below is gorgeous with miles of olive groves and vineyards stretching to the horizon. I chose to paint the this puzzle of rooftops and buildings stacked in the foreground with the lush valley stretching into the distance. I hope you enjoy the morning escape to Tuscany!

After lunch, we visited a winery nearby to sample their Rossos, Vino Nobiles and the delicious sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo. 

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.

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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

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Tuscany

Foodie Trek - May 27 - June 3

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Provence

Art Trek - June 24- July 1

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

Van Gogh Sunflowers by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

     

“May's Palette” ©2026 Niki Gulley

24" x 24" Textured Mixed Media Collage on Canvas

This piece looks great hung individually or paired with a companion floral landscape in the series. Loaded with thick, textured paint over multiple layers of color, these sunflowers and poppies are bursting to life with dimension and energy. Whimsical blooms seem to dance in nature's kaleidoscope of summer hues bringing joy and sunshine to everyone they greet.

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

Please e-mail Niki Gulley for options and details.

New Large Scale Abstract Poppy Field by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

"Coloring Outside the Lines" ©2026 Niki Gulley

48" x 60" textured acrylic paintings on canvas

I come from a very analytical background. My parents were quite practical and left brained. In art school, I was taught do this, then this, then this – these are the rules. Then, I got to college and they went 180 degrees the other way and gave absolutely no instruction!

So, now I find myself straddling the middle – a beautiful balance between the two worlds.

But, that makes the work hard for me to describe in words. Getting out of my head and no longer living by all of those rules, and now following my heart so that you can experience nature's catharsis in your own way.

My process:

– A stroke here full of joy and energy!

– Another area that is too kinetic and that I must calm down to create quite contemplation there

– The next passage is too dull and drab. It needs life breathed into it so you can fully feel nature's energy and renewal.

– A few bold, completely unexpected sweeping marks, allowing your imagination to fill in its own story

– Layers and layers of thick juicy paint forming complex patterns, expressing the full spectrum of life!

– A dance- 2 steps forward, 1 step back

– A melodic harmony unfolding

Until finally a beautiful symphony emerges, when I feel it in my heart and this dream-filled creation says what it wants to say. 

May "Coloring Outside the Lines" invite you to experience the vitality of the land itself, feeling alive with energy, freedom, and expansive possibility. Enjoy your escape!

•••

If you'd like to see this piece and the rest of the collection live, check out  – https://www.instagram.com/p/DVY2TkBDjVl/.  In this energetic series, "Land in Motion," I capture the living rhythm of the natural world. Sweeping brushwork, vibrant color, and shifting skies convey the sensation of wind moving through grasses, clouds drifting across vast horizons, and the ever-changing atmosphere of the open landscape – goodartcompany.com/.

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

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

Painting in the Texas Hill Country with Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Shades of Blue” ©2026 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas

I wanted to capture that beautiful soft light illuminating the lake this morning while accentuating the perky wildflowers in the foreground. It was such a peaceful spot and I wanted that emotion to come through, too. Choosing a light, bright palette not only adds to that calm feeling, but really makes the cheerful blooms pop. A beautiful old gnarly live oak hugs the scene, inviting you to explore the colorful field ahead. I hope you can feel the joy and tranquility of springtime with the wildflowers abloom in the Texas!

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured palette knife landscape paintings.

To see more of my contemporary bluebonnet paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

New Texas Bluebonnet Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

  

“Shades of Blue II” ©2026 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas

"For me, wildflowers are joy-giving. They have enriched my life and fed my soul and given beautiful memories to sustain me."
– Lady Bird Johnson



Surrounded by a sea of blue – Scott captured me in my element here! Not only were the bluebonnets and wildflowers magnificent this year, but I just adore the live oaks, too. Their massive stature, their gnarly, twisting branches and the umbrella of shade they cast, just make me want to paint them over and over again. Rows and rows of cobalt lift your spirits and guide you along the grand old oak. I hope you, too, can enjoy the beauty of Texas in all of its spring glory.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured palette knife landscape paintings.

To see more of my contemporary bluebonnet paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Led by Artists Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

"Rolling Shadows II" ©2022 Niki Gulley 

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

Tuscany Foodie Trek - Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 4:  Cooking Class with Restaurant Chef

After another gorgeous leisurely morning at our villa, we all enjoyed learning how to cook authentic Tuscan food from a restaurant chef in one of the neighboring hill towns. From rolling out pici pasta to stuffing squash blossoms, to indulging in the most delicious tiramisu, we feasted like kings for lunch, savoring the fruits of our labor while also learning and sampling some of the region's best wines. 

That afternoon after a stopping for a couple of scenic photos of the Italian countryside we returned to relax at the villa. Above you can see one of the most iconic stops in Tuscany. And, I've always been attracted to this lone clump of cypress trees. Today, I liked how the late afternoon sun was casting such long dramatic shadows on the ground and I decide to accentuate the cool blues and violets I saw in the darks to contrast with the gold rolling hills. I decided to have fun with the colors and strokes to add to the excitement and drama of the moment.

That evening we went into town for a delicious meal of melted pecorino and homemade rustic bread, pici (hand rolled pasta) with wild boar sauce or truffle ravioli for others, fresh organic vegetables and of course the local red wine to top it off!

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.

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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 a couple of spots open up for our trip this September. Please let us know if you would like to join us. Spaces fill up quickly! 

Iceland
August 3-10, 2026

Only 1 spot left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 

September 26 - October 3, 2026

Only a couple spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026

Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-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 Autumn Palette Knife Waterfall Painting by Niki Gulley

 

“Flowing Fall” ©2026 Niki Gulley

12” x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas

Water pounds its way down the falls: cascading, rushing, charging into the riverbed -- flowing over rocks, swiftly moving forward. Untamed, the surge finds its way over, under, around the boulder-strewn river. Tumbling waters drive through, the rhythmic sounds create a soothing harmony below, while autumn colors glow as we peer through the tangle of textured fall foliage

If you have any questions about Autumn Cascades or my palette knife Aspen tree paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of Niki Gulley's contemporary landscape paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.