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

View from our Villa, Tuscany ©2017 Niki Gulley • 9" x 12" textured oil painting 

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

On the first morning of our Tuscany Art Trek, my husband went over camera functions and tips with his photography students while my painters set up to capture this gorgeous view of the distant hills and farmhouse that we see from our breakfast table each morning. With a few clouds drifting by, the sun kept illuminating the foreground Rapeseed and making the hills glow gold and chartreuse. I liked the single farmhouse set against the distant mountains and the one lone cypress growing in the middle of all that yellow. What a perfect morning!

That afternoon we continued painting at the villa while the photographers explored the scenic countryside, and we all gathered that evening 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!

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. The early registration deadline of Sept. 23rd for a $600 savings on most trips is quickly approaching, so don't wait!

FULL - Fall in New England – Oct. 10-15, 2017

FULL - Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 ) 2018

Venice, Italy (Carnival) – February 3 – 10 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   

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

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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

New "Colorful Carousel" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

"Colorful Carousel" ©2017 by Niki Gulley

SOLD • 36" x 60" original textured oil painting

Just Sold! I wanted this painting to be about the power and energy in nature to invigorate your spirit, so I chose to use warm vivid colors contrasted against cool underbrush while utilizing thick staccato strokes to add to that feeling. I placed the fall foliage in curving sweeping shapes to create a sense of movement, so that you can feel the wind gently rustling the leaves and causing them to dance on a beautiful fall day.

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings online, visit NikiGulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

New Palette Knife Treetop Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"What Dreams Are Made Of II" ©2017 by Niki Gulley

48" x 36" textured oil painting

In this painting, I wanted you to feel like a little kid again – laying on the ground and staring up into the treetops without a care in the world. I hope you experience the joy of being surrounded by nature and the beauty in this autumn kaleidoscope of colors.

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings online, visit NikiGulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my available palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings.

New "Soaring Dreams" Quadriptych Palette Knife Oil Painting by Niki Gulley

"Soaring Dreams" ©2017 Niki Gulley

 Four 36" x 36" canvases to form a 72" x 72" quadriptych • textured oil painting

In this painting, I wanted you to feel like a little kid again – laying on the ground and staring up into the treetops without a care in the world. I hope you experience the joy of being surrounded by nature and the beauty in this autumn kaleidoscope of colors.

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings online, visit NikiGulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my available palette knife birch and aspen tree paintings.

New "Through the Keyhole" Palette Knife Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Through the Keyhole” ©2017 Niki Gulley

20” x 16” textured oil painting

I love the twisting, textured limbs of old oak trees, and the way these two branches formed a keyhole view of the forest beyond was fascinating. Arching the branches upward suggests a touch of whimsey like climbing a tree when you’re a kid. Loaded with texture and surprising pops of color, I hope you, too, are transported to an enchanted place filled with hope and wonder.

If you have any questions about my palette knife paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

New "Autumn Cascades" Palette Knife Aspen Painting by Niki Gulley

“Autumn Cascades” ©2017 Niki Gulley

12” x 24” textured oil 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, the rhythmic sounds create a soothing harmony below, while autumn colors glow as we peer through the tangle of textured Aspen trees.

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.

Andalusia Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams: Toledo

Day 1, Afternoon - Toledo, Spain: Andalusia Art Trek

"Dappled Light" • Sold

12" x 9" oil painting by Niki Gulley

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

After lunch on the first day of our Spain Art Trek, we gave everyone free time to explore the city. Some visited the Cathedral, some toured the el Greco art museum, others shopped and some painted. 

I set up my easel in this peaceful garden shaded by these massive trees and painted the colorful architecture in the distance and the beautiful dappled light raking across the scene. That evening we dined on a gourmet tapas meal of scallops wrapped in bacon with lobster sauce, duck and strawberry salad, beef tenderloin with grilled asparagus, smoked octopus and assorted desserts. Delicious and a perfect ending to a fun-filled day!

Dinner in Toledo

Next summer we will be leading Art Treks to Italy and Croatia / Slovenia. So if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! See details at ArtTreks.org.

Please check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist landscape oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

"Golden Tangle" Fall Foliage Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

"Golden Tangle" ©2017 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 9" x 12" textured oil on canvas

Just Sold! I painted this golden oak at White Rock Lake last fall. I loved how the canary yellow leaves glowed from the late afternoon sun as it illuminated the foliage from behind. Being backlit, the trunk went an inky velvet black and all of its gnarly limbs popped against that gilded backdrop, which I accented with flecks of crimson. Created with palette knife and a lot of thick oil paint, this canvas is loaded with texture, uplifting color and energy.

To see more of my textured contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, please visit NikiGulley.com.

 E-mail Niki Gulley

New "Fall Jamboree" Palette Knife Aspen Tree Painting by Niki Gulley

"Fall Jamboree" ©2017 by Niki Gulley

 12" x 24" original textured oil painting

Enjoying the melodic tinkling of the aspen leaves rustling in the breeze, the trickling sounds of the babbling brook at our backs, and the beauty of fall ablaze with color, I felt invigorated as I began painting this aspen forest. The setting was so peaceful and rejuvenating that I wanted to communicate that joyful feeling of discovery. Filling the canvas with energetic staccato strokes and bold colors, in addition to gently arching the tree trunks reaching towards the sky, add to that uplifting feeling. And then just a sliver of the trail cutting through the forest, suggests the excitement of the journey that is to come.

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings online, visit NikiGulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

New "Looking Up II" Aspen Tree painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Looking Up II" ©2017 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" textured oil on canvas

In this painting I wanted you to feel that child-like wonder of staring up in into the treetops and the heavens above. I chose vibrant, cheerful yellows and golds contrasted against a blue sky with the clouds drifting so that as you gaze overhead, you get the feeling of not having a care in the world. One large trunk in the foreground guides you and gives you a sense of size and perspective, while leading your eye upward. Arranging the aspens in a circular pattern heightened by thick, curving paint strokes, all add to that joyful, playful feeling of hope and discovery. 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her textured aspen and birch oil paintings. 

Visit NikiGulley.com to see more of her contemporary impressionistic palette knife landscape paintings.

New Sunflower Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Happy Thoughts III" ©2017 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Just Sold! Inspired by our travels to Provence, I painted these cheerful sunflowers with extremely thick oil paint and palette knife so that the resulting image leaps off the canvas and is loaded with energy, color and texture.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary floral and landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

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For more information on our plein air painting and photography Art Treks workshops in Europe, please check out ArtTreks.org.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New Sunflower Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

“Sun-Filled Moment" ©2017 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Inspired by our travels to Provence, I painted these uplifting sunflowers with extremely thick oil paint and palette knife so that the resulting image leaps off the canvas and is loaded with energy, color and texture.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary floral and landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

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For more information on our plein air painting and photography Art Treks workshops in Europe, please check out ArtTreks.org.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

New "Popping Color II" Palette Knife Poppy Painting by Niki Gulley

"Popping Color II" ©2017 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 24" x 12" textured oil painting

Just Sold! I wanted this piece to be uplifting and full of color and energy. Set beneath a colorful sky on a beautiful day in springtime with the poppies and wildflowers in full bloom, I hope all of your cares drift away while gazing into this cheerful scene.

In this vertical wildflower series, I've framed the paintings in espresso floater frames so that you can still see the textured oil paint continuing around the edges of the canvas. These poppies look great hung alone or in a grouping, too!

To see more of Niki Gulley's textured landscape paintings please check out NikiGulley.com,

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her poppy, sunflower, lavender and wildflower paintings.

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For more information on our Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek Workshops in Italy, please visit www.ArtTreks.org or e-mail Niki Gulley.