Visiting Siena Italy with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams on their Tuscany Foodie Trek

 

 

"Duomo," Siena ©2026 Niki Gulley 

5" x 7" oil painting on panel

Tuscany Foodie Trek - Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 2:  Siena, Italy

During the Foodie Trek that my husband and I led in Tuscany, we headed to the Medieval hill town of Siena, with its incredible church, great people-watching plaza, and interesting alleyways radiating out from the Campo with something new to discover around every turn. 

While most of our group toured inside the Duomo, I chose to set up my easel and capture it's impressive facade. Beautiful pink, green, white and black marble are stacked in such intricate patterns, it's impossible to capture on a 5" x 7" canvas but I was able to at least suggest some of those colors and its scale, while showing the energy around it with people bustling in every direction.

That evening we enjoyed a delicious dinner with  pasta doing the backstroke in truffles and pecorino cream while sharing our experiences. What a fantastic day!

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.

***

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 2027. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

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.

Palette Knife Painting of the Piazza in Siena, Italy by Niki Gulley

 

"Piazza" Siena, Italy ©2026 Niki Gulley

7" x 5" textured oil painting on panel

One of my favorite ways to spend an afternoon in Siena, is to just sit in the Piazza and paint from different vantage points. Studying the architecture and experiencing the buzzing energy as residents co-mingle with tourists in the square is so fun to witness!

E-mail Niki Gulley.

 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 2027. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

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.

Iceland Art Trek with Painter Niki Gulley and Photographer Scott Williams

SOLD • "The Black Church III" 5" x 7” textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 6 - Snaefellsnes Peninsula

We continued our Art Treks adventure around the country to the west, finishing our trip on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula. The last stop on our itinerary was to visit the famous Black Church. Being the only church made of black construction material on the island, its distinctive appearance stands out rising out of a relatively large, flat plateau. The weather turned a little for the worse today, but this was such a dedicated group of painters. Even a little wind and drizzle wasn’t going to stop them!

In this piece, I wanted to capture not only the church's color and shape, but the dramatic clouds surrounding it. Working with palette knife and thick paint, this little piece is loaded with texture, color and movement. 

And, to treat ourselves at the end of the trip, we went to one of the few Michelin restaurants on the island and had the most delicious, fresh meal with newfound friends. None of us were ready for the trip to end!

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

***

 NikiGulley.com

***

If you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks! We have just a couple of spots for Iceland this August.

Iceland
August 3-10, 2026

Only a couple of spots 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 Blue Ridge Mountain Painting by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

"Spring Awakening" ©2026 Niki Gulley

24" x 36" textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas, pictured is silver floater frame

The Blue Ridge mountains in springtime are straight out of fairytale pages. I could not believe the number of flowering plants and trees in what felt like every color of the rainbow. One day it was grey winter and then next a symphonic explosion of leaves and blooms. Voluminous clouds dance overhead as an ethereal mist rises from the valleys. I hope you, too, are transported to this joyous, peaceful utopia!

For details on more of my Blue Ridge Mountain artwork, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

***

Painting and Photographing Gullfoss Waterfall on Niki Gulley’s and Scott Williams’ Art Trek to Iceland

       

12" x 9” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel by Niki Gulley

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 7 - Gullfoss

On our last day we visited Iceland's Niagara Falls, Gullfoss waterfall, at the top of The Golden Circle. We set out to capture these gorgeous, massive falls with all of their power and glory. Using diagonal strokes to illustrate the energy and strength of the flowing mass, I also wanted to show the water's beauty as it gushed and tumbled over the dramatic cliffs. I hope you can hear the surging cascade and feel the joy of this magical place.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

***

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

We will be returning to the gorgeous Swiss Alps and Tuscany in 2027. These Treks are amazing adventures to explore new cultures and be a part of what makes traveling expand your world and enrich your life. Whether you're a painter, a photographer, food lover or just want to travel in small, friendly groups, this is the trip for you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to join in the fun as our trips fill up quickly!

Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026

Waitlist Available

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

A Few Spots Left! 

 

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.

Touring the Golden Circle with Niki Gulley's and Scott Williams’ Art Treks

 

“Liquid Rush III" by Niki Gulley

12" x 9” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 6 - Geysir and Waterfalls on the Golden Circle

This afternoon, we stopped by the Geysir for the photographers to capture the thermal explosion of water and steam, which explodes about every 5 minutes. So much fun to watch! After that, we finished the day with - you guessed it! One more waterfall. Slightly off the beaten path, these cascades rush over rocky cliffs to empty into this massive river valley that will eventually flow out to sea. Nestled amongst wildflowers dancing in the breeze and a cooling mist filling the air from the surge of the falls, this location was truly peaceful and rejuvenating.

I hope you can feel nature's rush restoring your soul, too!

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

***

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

We will be returning to the gorgeous Swiss Alps and Tuscany in 2027. These Treks are amazing adventures to explore new cultures and be a part of what makes traveling expand your world and enrich your life. Whether you're a painter, a photographer, food lover or just want to travel in small, friendly groups, this is the trip for you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to join in the fun as our trips fill up quickly!

Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026

Waitlist Available

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

A Few Spots Left! 

 

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.

***

Iceland’s Gorgeous Waterfalls - Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

 

    

"Cascading V" ©2026 Niki Gulley

9" x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 6 - The Golden Circle

On the sixth day of our Iceland Art Trek, we toured several scenes along the Golden Circle drive, north of Reykavik. In the morning, we hiked back to these beautiful falls that empty into this gorgeous pool of turquoise churning water. I was pleased with the results and really enjoyed the peaceful falls. 

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

 ***

Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

We will be returning to the gorgeous Swiss Alps and Tuscany in 2027. These Treks are amazing adventures to explore new cultures and be a part of what makes traveling expand your world and enrich your life. Whether you're a painter, a photographer, food lover or just want to travel in small, friendly groups, this is the trip for you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to join in the fun as our trips fill up quickly!

Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026

Waitlist Available

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

A Few Spots Left! 

 

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.