A Day in Florence with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams, Tuscany Art Trek

"Evening Stroll," Florence ©2017 Niki Gulley • 25" x 19" pastel

Day 6, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the next day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we hit the ground running by spending a full day in Florence. Visiting the Uffizi and Academy Museums with their incredible collections of Renaissance art, the impressive marble Duomo and famous Bronze Baptistry doors, wandering the cobble stone streets and admiring the stone architecture, fountains and sculptures, and allowing extra time for shopping.

We ended the day with you guessed it – another delicious meal! Then we wandered back through the romantic golden-lit streets to see the beautiful view of the Ponte Vecchio over the Arno at night. 

***

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 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.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Day 5, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

View of Pienza ©2017 Niki Gulley • 12" x 9" textured oil painting • SOLD

Day 5, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

After a busy day in Siena, we stayed closer to home, visiting the nearby hill town of Montalcino and sampling their famous Brunello wines. Stopping off along the way to visit an ancient Monastery and soaking in views of the rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves.

That afternoon we took it easy and relaxed at the villa. While some painted the beautiful view of Pienza from our villa, the photographers visited more of the nearby hill towns and others chilled out by the pool. That evening we had a Tuscan mama chef prepare an amazing multi-course dinner at the villa while we enjoyed the gorgeous sunset. A rejuvenating day!

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 

Spaces are filling up quickly, so don't wait!

Athens and Santorini, Greece - May 8-16, 2015

The French Riviera - June 18-26, 2015

Provence, France - June 25-July 3, 2015

Tuscany, Italy - Sept. 4-12, 2015

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy - Sept. 11-19, 2015

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

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

Siena ©2017 Niki Gulley • 12" x 9" oil painting 

Day 4, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the fourth day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we headed to 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 their ancient walls and this unique old clock tower. For dinner that night, we treated ourselves to a delicious dinner of homemade pici pasta with truffles, fresh local vegetables and of course, some amazing wines!

***

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 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.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Day 3, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

"Cypress Treetops" ©2017 Niki Gulley • 7" x 5" textured oil painting

Day 3, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the third day of our Tuscany Art Trek, several of us attended a cooking class in Montepulciano from a Michelin-rated chef. We made hand-rolled pasta with a flavor-packed tomato sauce, osso buco, cheese soufflés and a delicious creamy tiramisu. After we were finished cooking, we sat down to sample our creations and wash it down with a little red wine. What an amazing experience! 

Later that afternoon, we went onto see the formal Italian garden at La Foce. The giant cypress trees are so interesting that I had to paint a quick study of the treetops. 

***

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 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.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Day 2, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

12" x 9" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 2:  TUSCANY ART TREK - Montepulciano and Wine Tasting
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 this lone Tuscan farmhouse 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'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 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.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

We had so many people who wanted to come along on our Tuscany Art Trek this year that we had enough interest to teach a second week! On the first day of our second 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 scene with lounge chairs and rose bush 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'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 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.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

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

5" x 7" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley • SOLD

Last Day:  TUSCANY ART TREK

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

That afternoon, we all had free time. Some people stayed in Pienza to shop and explore the town, while others came back to the villa to chill out by the pool. I had enough time to complete one more small 5x7 oil painting of the villa itself. I loved this prolific rose bush in front of the unique terra cotta tile window offset against cypress trees, an olive grove and rolling hills in the distance.

Before dinner we gathered back at the villa for a slide from our photographers of the trip and to see the paintings we completed, accompanied by a little wine and Italian treats. That night we enjoyed a beautiful Terrace view with one last picture perfect sunset over dinner with amazing food and new friends. A perfect end to a perfect week! We were sad to see the night end.

***

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 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.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Painting and Photographing Pienza with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

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

Day 6, Pienza:  TUSCANY ART TREK

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

On the last day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we explored nearby Pienza to enjoy its picturesque alleyways and amazing views of the valleys below. Having been home to Pope Pius II, the town is filled with interesting historical sites, great shopping, delicious lunch spots and plenty of interesting corners to paint. I chose this doorway since I loved the texture of the stone walls, the potted plants around it, and the soft light raking across it.

While some of our group explored Pienza, a few of the others stayed back at the villa to take a cooking class from a Tuscan mama chef. From hand rolled pici pasta, to roasted pork, to various pizzas and appetizers and finishing with a chocolate cherry ricotta torte, they shared their homemade creations with the rest of us. While they had a great time learning, we thoroughly enjoyed tasting their new found skills in the kitchen!

***

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 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.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Visiting Florence with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams, Tuscany Art Trek

"Evening Stroll," 25" x 19" pastel by Niki Gulley

Day 5, Florence:  TUSCANY ART TREK

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

The next day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we hit the ground running by spending a full day in Florence. Visiting the Uffizi and Academy Museums with their incredible collections of Renaissance art, the impressive marble Duomo and famous Bronze Baptistry doors, wandering the cobble stone streets and admiring the stone architecture, fountains and sculptures, and allowing extra time for shopping.

Ending the day with you guessed it – another delicious meal! Then wandering back through the romantic golden-lit streets to see the beautiful view of the Ponte Vecchio over the Arno at night. 

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 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.

***

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 website at NikiGulley.com.

Visiting Siena, Italy - Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

7" x 5"" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 3:  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!

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 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.

***

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

NikiGulley.com

Painting and Photographing the Tuscan Countryside with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

12" x 9" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 3, afternoon location – ART TREKS: TUSCANY
 with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

After we finished a delicious antipasto lunch of prosciuttos, local pecorino, and fresh fruits and vegetables, we headed into the hills for our afternoon painting location. Starting fairly late in the day, we timed it so that the light would be soft and golden as we were putting the finishing details on our paintings. For this painting, we focused in closer on one of the tuscan farmhouses, with just a suggestion of the peaks and valleys in the background. Between the quiet surroundings, the quintessential Tuscan vineyard behind us and the perfect weather conditions, this proved to be a very inspiring afternoon.

Painting the rolling hills in Tuscany. Photo courtesy of Ken Strange.

****

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 on most trips is quickly approaching, so don't wait!

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

FULL - Croatia & 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.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Day 3, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

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

Day 3:  TUSCANY ART TREK

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

On the next day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we took it easy and painted right at the villa while the photographers and the rest of the group went exploring in Montalcino. I decided to paint this view from our breakfast table, since I'd been admiring it every day of the trip. It was a gorgeous morning with beautiful puffy white clouds that gave the landscape a soft filtered light. Pienza sits atop the hillside in the distance with the Adirondack chair and rose bush blooms framing the foreground. A perfect place to sit and relax!

For lunch we feasted on fresh local fruit and vegees, pecorinos, cured meats and a little wine and prosecco at the villa. Bon appetito!

***

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 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.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Visiting Montepulciano and Tuscan Wineries with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Montepulciano ©2017 Niki Gulley • 12" x 9" textured oil painting

Day 2, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

The next morning of our Tuscany Art Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Perched atop a giant hill with beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards below, we set up our easels at this breathtaking overlook. We had to work quickly to capture the morning light before it disappeared, while the photographers and the others explored ancient wine cellars, quiet back alleys and even got in a little shopping.

After lunch, we visited two wineries nearby to sample their Rossos, Vino Nobiles and the delicious sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo. Full from the local meats and cheeses and tasty red wines, we headed back to the villa for a quiet night of relaxing and soaking in the evening scenery.

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 on most trips is quickly approaching, so don't wait!

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

FULL - Croatia & 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.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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