Thursday, May 21, 2026

"Pretty in Pink" Victorian Home Painting by Artist Niki Gulley



“Pretty in Pink” ©2026 Niki Gulley
9" x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Filled with beautiful homes built in the late 1800s, I was attracted to the detailed craftsmanship and historic architecture of this estate. Each homeowner had taken great care in decorating their porches and yards to create a warm welcome, and I wanted to capture that beauty and pride in my paintings. 

Here you can see this beautiful pink Victorian surrounded by more beautiful rose and scarlet blooms. I loved the play of complimentary colors, even down to the green detailing and scrollwork on the house. 

For more information on my textured palette knife oil paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

Or, please visit my website at  NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape paintings.

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

 

  

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

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!

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


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 2025. 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
Only 4 spots left!
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.

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

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.


Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
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.

***

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/




Monday, May 18, 2026

"Winter Shadows" by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

 

 

 

"Winter Shadows" ©2026 Niki Gulley
12" x 16" textured oil painting • Glenrose, TX 

Painted on location in Glen Rose, Texas with the company of my Outdoor Painters Society, I chose to paint the oldest house in town. It was so full of character and charm and I loved the big huge front porch and white-washed picket fence. The pergola welcomes you to step right in and relax on a rocking chair, visiting with neighbors and loved ones. Dramatic lighting and shadows add to the warmth of the moment.

For more information on my textured contemporary landscape paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at: nikigulley.com.



https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

Friday, May 15, 2026

"Autumn in Tuscany" Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

 


"Autumn in Tuscany" ©2021 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 10" x 20” textured oil painting

During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we stay in the middle of the countryside at a villa surrounded by 360 degree views of the rolling hills and valleys and nearby hill towns. One of the best vantage points and probably my favorite town in Tuscany is Pienza. Perched on high, the city towers over everything around and seems to actually draw the passing clouds to its bell tower and church steeple. This was a particularly gorgeous morning with beautiful puffy white clouds drifting by that created dramatic shadows in the recesses and golden light as it hit the autumn fields. 

If interested in purchasing and for more details on "Autumn in Tuscany," please visit nikigulley.com/autumn-in-tuscany/.

***

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.



****


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


https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Painting Godafoss Waterfall with Niki Gulley - Iceland Art Trek



“Cascades III" ©2026 Niki Gulley
9" x 12” textured oil painting on canvas panel

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 5 - Godafoss

This evening we arrived in time to witness sunset over the massive Godafoss falls at the top of The Golden Circle. I set out to capture these gorgeous falls with all of their power and glory. Using diagonal strokes to capture the energy and strength of the cascades, I also wanted to show the mountains they were tumbling over as the water gushed and tumbled. Dramatic sunset clouds drift by, adding to the rhythm and emotion of this special place.The colors were so beautiful in the sky and created a rainbow of reflected colors in the cascading water. Sketching out my composition and squeezing out my colors ahead of time helped me be able to capture this fleeting moment. I hope you can hear the surging water and feel the joy of this magical place.


To purchase, visit nikigulley.com/cascades-iii/.

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


https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


***

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.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

New Peaceful, Soothing Waterfall Painting by Impressionist Niki Gulley

  


“Free Falling” ©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 up mists above the falls and the rhythmic sounds create a soothing harmony below. 

If you have any questions about Free Falling 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.

***

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/