Painting the Swiss Alps with Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

"Alpine Expressions" ©2026 Niki Gulley

20” X 10” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

What a gorgeous day painting in Switzerland!!! The scenery is so stunning it barely looks real. This was the breathtaking view behind our hotel that I just had to capture. I love the Swiss chalets and those snow-capped mountains that defy gravity. Working with palette knife and thick layers of paint, I set out to recreate that beauty as best I could on a 20" x 10" canvas. I hope you are uplifted and all of your cares melt away gazing into this idyllic spot.

For details on more of my Switzerland and travel 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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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 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! 

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

Cinque Terre, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

Spain Foodie Trek 
March 13-20, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/spain-foodie-2024/

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 - Aug. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2027/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 25 - Oct. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2027/

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.

 

Cathartic Stroll through a birch forest painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

  

"Woodland Stroll" ©2026 Niki Gulley

10" x 20” textured oil painting

Today we continued our counterclockwise adventure around Iceland to arrive in the north, near the massive, impressive Godafoss waterfall. Unfortunately, our weather turned for the worse, and it was way too wet to paint the falls. However, just over the mountain, 20 minutes away at our b and b, the skies were fairly clear with even occasional glimpses of sunshine. I loved these birch trees all over their property, leading you down to the gorgeous view of the mountains in the distance. Sprinkled with summer wildflowers, I set out to capture the light casting long shadows from the trunks and causing the grasses to glow in the foreground, leading to a feeling of joy and serenity in this beautiful spot.

Close up texture detail of Woodland Stroll: 

If you'd like to own "Woodland Stroll," please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/woodland-stroll/.

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If you're interested in joining us on our upcoming Art Trek to Iceland this August, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

  

New Cheerful Sunflower Painting of the Blue Ridge Mountains by Niki Gulley

 

 

"Springing with Joy" ©2026 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 48" x 36" textured acrylic painting on wrap around canvas

Just sold! This piece is all about capturing that feeling of wandering through a summer meadow where every color of the rainbow seems to be blooming at once. My palette knife allows me to build up those chunky, textured strokes that make the flowers feel dimensional and alive. Painting the sunflowers full-sized in the foreground helps to bring them to life and hopefully transport you to this happy location. Including surprising pops of vivid reds and purples keeps your eye moving throughout the scene, seeing new things each time you look at it, and adds to the joyful feeling.

Or, if you would prefer a print on canvas, please e-mail Niki Gulley for details.

NikiGulley.com 

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Capturing Rhododendrons in NC with Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

 

 

"Blue Ridge Bounty" ©2026 Niki Gulley

20" x 10" textured acrylic painting on canvas

This summer we hiked the Appalachian Trail along Carver's Gap to see the breathtaking Rhododendrons blooming along Roan Mountain. Not only were the flowers spectacular, bursting with every shade of red from magenta and pink to tangerine orange, but the mountain views were so inspiring. On one side you could see for miles into Tennessee and on the other side ridge after ridge of North Carolina. I hope you enjoy the peace and beauty as you escape into this gorgeous hike!

For details on more of wildflower or North Carolina paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

  

Asheville Artist Niki Gulley Exhibits at the North Carolina Arboretum "Art in Azaleas" Exhibit

 

"Arched Beauty" ©2026 Niki Gulley
20" x 10" textured acrylic painting on canvas

I love the vivid warm colors of the Arboretum's Azaleas popping against the complimentary green hues of the foliage. It is such a peaceful escape to wander the trails and discover something new around every bend. Choosing a vertical panoramic format for this one invites you to admire the azaleas, continue along your path towards the light and the beautiful forested canopy in the distance, all while lifting your spirits.

I’m excited that this piece was chosen to exhibit at the NC Arboretum’s Native Azalea Art Show! 

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For information on my other floral 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 Bursting with Colorful Wildflowers by Niki Gulley

 

"Summer in the Mountains" ©2026 Niki Gulley

20" x 30" textured acrylic painting on canvas

While we had already made the 4 hour round trip drive and hiked several miles in the rain previously this week, we couldn't get enough of these beautiful rhododendrons and mountain views. So, the weather looked much clearer and we decided to trek it a second time. Again, so worth the time and effort. The explosion of color from the flowers and the majestic blue ridge vistas filled our hearts with such awe and joy. Here I wanted to capture that uplifting feeling for you with thick, textured paint and my palette knife dancing across the canvas. May you be immersed in the cathartic grandeur of mother nature!

For details on more of wildflower or North Carolina paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

  

Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley Painting in Tuscany

 

"Rosy Retreat II" ©2026 Niki Gulley

18" x 18" textured acrylic painting on canvas 

I couldn't resist painting in this beautiful rose garden in Tuscany. I was attracted to these bountiful climbing roses framing the villa in the distance as they stretched across this arched trellis. May you be transported to this beautiful, happy place!

For details on more of my Tuscany and Italy 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!

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