Visiting Montepulciano and Wine Tasting in Tuscany with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

12" x 9" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 2:  TUSCANY ART TREK - Montepulciano

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

On the second day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we set up our easels at a scenic overlook in Montepulciano while the photographers went exploring. The view of the valley below is gorgeous with miles of olive groves and vineyards stretching to the horizon. I chose to paint the blue-domed duomo below set amid the rolling hills and perfectly planted rows about to be harvested. In the afternoon, we visited two wineries and sampled some amazing red wines and the region's prized Vin Santo. Another fantastic day in Tuscany!

If you'd like to join us in Tuscany for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 5th-13th, please let me know. Early registration deadline of Nov. 16th for a $600 savings is quickly approaching! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

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

***

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my booth
at the Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson, TX this weekend.

Cottonwood Art Festival

Sat. Oct. 5th • 10am – 7pm

Sun. Oct. 6th • 10am – 6pm

 Cottonwood Park at Beltline Rd. and Coit • Richardson, TX

cottonwoodartfestival.com

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NikiGulley.com

Day 1, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

12" x 9" oil painting by Niki Gulley • SOLD

Day 1:  TUSCANY ART TREK

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

On the first day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we set up and painted right at the villa where we were staying. The views are incredible of the surrounding valleys and hill towns, and I chose to paint this ancient well on the back of the property framing Pienza in the distance. For lunch we dined al fresco at the farmhouse on local meats, cheeses and amazing fruits and vegetables, and in the afternoon we went exploring in the countryside. A perfect first day in Tuscany!

If you'd like to join us in Tuscany for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 5th-13th, please let me know. Early registration deadline of Nov. 16th for a $600 savings is quickly approaching! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

***

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

To see more of my Italy and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

New Summer Aspen Tree Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

“Aspen Vista Trail, Summer” ©2013 Niki Gulley

16" x 20” textured oil painting on canvas

On our Santa Fe Art Trek last year, the temperature started rising in the afternoon, so we headed up into the mountains for cooler breezes to paint the beautiful aspen trees. We were attracted to the brilliant white trunks with their unique peeling bark and dark protruding knots. I liked how the soft dappled light came through the trees and illuminated the path, leading into the distance. Becoming totally lost in the moment, I set out to capture the peacefulness and contentment of being immersed in nature.

"Aspen Vista Trail" is available through the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact goodartcompany.com/gac/.

For more information on my textured aspen tree and birch palette knife oil paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

"Rocky Mountain Aspens" oil painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

"Rocky Mountain Aspens" ©2013 Niki Gulley

11" x 14" oil painting

I painted these brilliant golden aspen trees from Colorado with brush, palette knife and plenty of oil paint. I love the contrast and intensity of the colors created between the foreground forest and background blues.

"Rocky Mountain Aspens" and several more of Niki's contemporary landscape paintings are available through the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact goodartcompany.com/gac/.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

NikiGulley.com

New Texas Hill Country Bluebonnet Painting by Niki Gulley at the Good Art Company

"Cumulus Effect," Texas Hill Country ©2013 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured oil painting

Inspired by a trip to the hill country, this bluebonnet painting is created with thick oil paint and palette knives. In the resulting image, the sky and landscape come to life and are loaded with color, movement and energy.

"Cumulus Effect" and several of Niki's landscape oil paintings are available the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact goodartcompany.com/gac/.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

NikiGulley.com

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

Notre Dame, Rose Window • 10" x 8" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Paris Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Last year on our plein air painting and photography workshop that we taught in Paris, we staked out this quiet, picturesque view of Notre Dame along the Siene. Some painters chose to include the whole scene with river, church and boats, while myself and a couple of others selected this tighter view on just the intricate stained glass of the rose window. After painting the whites and grays of the cathedral in the morning light, I decided to have a little fun with the colors in the afternoon – after all we were in the home of French Impressionism! Working with complimentary purples and oranges created vibrant highlights, cool shadows and contrasting colors that cause your eye to dance across the canvas.

Photo of us painting at Notre Dame taken by one of our budding photographers.

If you would like join us on our next Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop to Paris June 19-27, 2014, please check out nikigulley.com/artreks for more information. Register by Sept. 28th for a $600 savings!

Other upcoming Art Treks include:

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

***

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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

Upcoming Paris Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

"A Day in Paris" ©2013 Niki Gulley • 5" x 7" oil painting

I love everything about Paris from the art to the architecture to the food to just watching the world go by at a sidewalk café. This little oil painting was inspired by one of our walks along the Seine. The magazine stands selling nostalgic postcards and memorabilia are just like I'd imagined, with Notre Dame and the river as the perfect romantic backdrop.

If you would like join us on our next Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop to Paris June 19-27, 2014, please check out nikigulley.com/artreks for more information. Register by Sept. 28th for a $600 savings!

Other upcoming Art Treks include:

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

***

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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

Painting in Montepulciano with Niki Gulley

"Morning Overlook," Montepulciano
9" x 12" oil by Niki Gulley

 TUSCANY ART TREK

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

During our Tuscany Art Trek, we visit the picturesque hill town of Montepulciano, known for its delicious red wines. We set up at this beautiful scenic overlook to paint the valley below. Narrowing down a subject to paint is challenging since the whole scene is amazing, but impossible to capture all of it on our small travel canvases. An amazing morning!

If you'd like to join us in Tuscany for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 5th-13th, please let me know. Early registration deadline of Nov. 16th for a $600 savings is quickly approaching! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

***

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

To see more of my Italy and European paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

"Lemon Tree" - Tuscany Plein Air oil painting by Niki Gulley

"Lemon Tree," Tuscany ©2013 Niki Gulley

12" x 9" textured oil painting

On our Tuscany painting and photography workshop last year, we decided to stay at our picturesque villa and paint the amazing views right there. It was a gorgeous morning with bright puffy clouds and soft golden sunlight hitting the back of our agriturismo. So while we set up our easels just a few feet away from one another, each painter picked a different subject. From the highly textured stone farm house, to this lemon tree that was so lush that I chose for my painting, to an ancient well and delicate geraniums, each student's paintings turned out beautifully. 

To purchase "Lemon Tree," please contact the Good Art Company Gallery at goodartcompany.com/gac/.

And, if you'd like to join us in Tuscany for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 5th - 13th, please let me know. Early registration deadline of Nov. 16th for a $600 savings is quickly approaching! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

***

NikiGulley.com

New Venice Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

"Back Canals," Venice ©2013 Niki Gulley

8" x 10" oil painting

On the last day of our Venice Art Trek, St. Mark's Square was packed with tourists and people dressed up in costumes for Carnivalé which we loved seeing, but we were hoping to find a quieter spot to paint. So we left the photographers and headed back into the local neighborhoods where it was very peaceful and picturesque. I liked the ornamentation on this bridge and the way the light danced across the water making it shimmer.

If you'd like to join us in Venice for our next Art Trek during Carnival Feb. 22 - Mar. 1, please let me know. The registration deadline of Oct. 12th is quickly approaching! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

***

NikiGulley.com

Plein Air Painting Workshop in Venice during Carnival with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

"Tunnel Vision," Venice ©2013 Niki Gulley

10" x 8" • textured oil painting

This February during our Venice Art Trek, we headed to the Rialto bridge and set up our easels by the morning market. Some of my students painted the clock tower, while others wandered the fruit, vegetable, meat and fish stands. I chose the vantage above because I liked the repetition of the arches in the negative space and how the back of the scene was flooded with light and activity on the Grand Canal.

If you'd like to join us in Venice for our next Art Trek during Carnival Feb. 22 - Mar. 1, please let me know. The registration deadline of Oct. 12th is quickly approaching! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

ArtTreks

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

***

NikiGulley.com

New Sunflower Painting and Upcoming Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley

"Sharing the Sun" ©2013 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" • textured oil on canvas

Inspired by our trip to Provence last summer, I was awestruck by these massive fields of sunflowers blooming. Seeing this brilliant carpet of gold, with its sea of faces smiling towards the sun, just made me feel happy and I wanted you to experience that joy, too. In person "Sharing the Sun" practically leaps off the canvas with its vibrant yellow petals and extremely thick three-dimensional oil paint.

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Paris June 19-27 and Provence, France June 26-July 4, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing during lavender and sunflower season in France, and following in the footsteps of Monet, Van Gogh and Cezanne, please join us for this amazing trip! The early registration deadline of Sept. 28th for a $600 savings is quickly approaching. For more details, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

To purchase "Sharing the Sun," please contact the Good Art Company Gallery at goodartcompany.com/gac/.

To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape and floral oil paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

Plein Air Painting in Tuscany with Niki Gulley

"Breaking Through," Tuscany ©2013 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" • Textured Mixed Media on canvas

This painting was inspired by one of our plein air painting workshops in Tuscany. I've always been attracted to this lone clump of cypress trees, and on this day the clouds in the sky parted just enough to allow the sun's rays to pass through and illuminate the cypress grove below. I decided to have fun with the colors to add to the excitement and drama of the moment.

"Breaking Through" and several of Niki's contemporary impressionistic landscapes are on display at the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact goodartcompany.com/gac/.

***

If you would like join us on our next Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop to Tuscany Sept. 5-13, 2014, please check out nikigulley.com/artreks for more information. 

Other upcoming Art Treks include:

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014 (deadline approaching)

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

***

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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