Painting on the Isle of Skye, Scotland with Niki Gulley

5" x 7" oil painting by Niki Gulley • Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

Next on our Scotland visit, we crossed over to the Isle of Skye. Some of the geologic formations there were so unusual, they seemed out of this world. Having hiked up to the Old Man of Storr the previous day in cold, rainy conditions,  I decided to stay at the base on our 2nd trip and paint the jagged mountain. Meanwhile, Scott hiked another hour uphill to capture this awe-inspiring view in between showers. 

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

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

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

Ireland - Aug. 2019

Scotland - Aug. 2019

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.

Eilean Donan Castle oil painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

SOLD • 5" x 7" oil painting by Niki Gulley • Eilean Donan Castle, Scotland

After my husband, Scott Williams, and I finished teaching our painting and photography workshop in Ireland, we flew to Scotland to paint, photograph and complete the research for a future Art Trek in Edinburgh and Isle of Skye. We absolutely love Scotland! The wide open countryside, beautiful ocean views, amazing skies that change constantly, the pristine light, castles everywhere, the warmth of the people, and sometimes other-worldly landscapes are truly fascinating and inspiring. Our first stop after the busy city of Edinburgh was to visit the iconic Eilean Donan Castle in the highlands. Perched on an island connected to land by a stone bridge surrounded by the Scottish Highlands, the structure is so beautiful that it is one of the most photographed places in Scotland. While Scott was shooting, I set up my easel to capture the scene on a 5x7 canvas. 

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

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

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

Ireland - Aug. 2019

Scotland - Aug. 2019

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 Ireland's Dingle Peninsula with Niki Gulley

7" x 5" oil painting by Niki Gulley

After teaching our Ireland Art Trek, my husband and I stayed a couple of extra days on the Dingle Peninsula on the west coast of Ireland. That day I chose to pull in tight on my composition of these jagged rocks and the waves crashing against them. Having fun creating the uneven textures with the palette knife, I hope you can feel the sound of the water rises and falling as it rushes against the cliffs.

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

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

Fall in New England – Oct. 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 7, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 7:  Ireland ART TREK
Afternoon location: Ross Castle, Killarney

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

On the last afternoon of our Ireland Art Trek, we visited Ross Castle. While the photographers explored the castle and grounds, the painters set up their easels to capture this majestic view of the castle and lake. Although we didn't have enough time to finish, you can get idea of the overall scene and the fast moving clouds with a tiny patch of blue sky poking through. Afterwards, we enjoyed a peaceful boat tour of the lake and came back to our home base, to share our photos and paintings of our trip. What a great way to end a wonderful Art Trek with new friends!

Painting at Ross Castle.

Finishing up our Art Trek by sharing our paintings and photographs from the trip.

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

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

Fall in New England – Oct. 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 7, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 7:  Ireland ART TREK
Morning location: Muckross House, Killarney

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

On the 7th day of Ireland Art Trek, we visited the magnificent Muckross House and Gardens, a mansion built in the 1800s. With acres of woodland, gardens and lakeside views, the photographers and tourists explored while us painters set up our easels in front of the manor house and colorful formal gardens. A challenging scene to capture with so much going on, we did our best to set the scene on our 9x12 canvases.

Our photographers and tourists going for a carriage ride on the Muckross estate.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

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

Fall in New England – Oct. 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.

Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 6:  Ireland ART TREK
Afternoon location: Dingle Peninsula & Killarney Castle

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

On the 6th afternoon of Ireland Art Trek, we continued to paint on the castle grounds while the photographers and tourists finished exploring the Dingle Peninsula. I chose to paint the castle's guest house because I love how it was nestled back in the woods, feeling so nostalgic of a visit to grandma's in the country. The massive unusual pine trees were so awe-inspiring that I used them to frame the right half of the scene, leading your eye down the path to the yellow house safely tucked in amongst the lush foliage. A soft light would appear off and on, illuminating the scene and creating that unique Irish light. That evening we all reconnected and dined again on another delicious dinner in town.

Dining in the castle bar.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

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

Fall in New England – Oct. 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 6, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 6:  Ireland ART TREK
Morning location: Dingle Peninsula & Killarney Castle

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

The next day of our Ireland Art Trek, the photographers and tourists ventured out to tour the Dingle Peninsula with its craggy coves, cute fishing villages and spectacular ocean views, stopping at castles,  Dingle town, waterfalls and various landmarks along the way. My painters wanted to stay at our castle grounds and paint right where we were lodging because the scenery was so beautiful. For our morning location, we set up our easels in the castle's garden. The brilliance of the various greens was so intense that I had to capture that along with this romantic gazebo beckoning you to sit down and enjoy the view.

Our photographers and tourists visiting the Dingle Peninsula.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

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

Fall in New England – Oct. 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, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 5:  Ireland ART TREK
Killarney
Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the next morning of our Ireland Art Trek, we left for Killarney, making a pit stop in the adorable thatch-roofed town of Adare. After exploring and grabbing lunch, we drove onto our lodging for the next few nights, a 16th century castle, fit for a king! Dinner was also delicious that evening in the castle's dining room.

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

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

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

Ireland - Aug. 2019

Scotland - Aug. 2019

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 4, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 4:  Ireland ART TREK
Cliffs of Moher

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

On the fourth morning of our Ireland Art Trek, we explored the exotic Cliffs of Moher. Unfortunately, we received some of that Irish sunshine and only got in a quick glimpse before the sideways rain and wind got the best of us. Since the afternoon was washed out, too, we decided to paint our impressions back at the hotel. Several of the tourists went into town to shop and sightsee, and the photographers gathered around the fireplace to receive a lesson on Photoshop and Lightroom. It turned out to be a great day! That night we dined again on a delicious seafood dinner at a cozy garden restaurant nearby.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

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

Fall in New England – Oct. 2018

Ireland - Aug. 2019

Scotland - Aug. 2019

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, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 3:  Ireland ART TREK
Galway

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

After spending the first two days of our Ireland Art Trek in Dublin, we moved onto the happening city of Galway next. After a quick bite, us painters set up our easels along the "Long Walk" to capture the colorful houses along the cove while the photographers and tourists explored downtown and joined us later that afternoon. While we managed to stay dry, you can see from the painting that we had very dramatic skies and moody colors! A fun challenge to capture after coming from sunny Dallas, TX. That evening we checked into our hotel near the Cliffs of Moher and thoroughly enjoyed a delicious gourmet dinner that night.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

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

Fall in New England – Oct. 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 and 2, Ireland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

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

Day 2:  Ireland ART TREK
Trinity College, Dublin

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

On the first day of our Ireland Art Trek, we arrived in Dublin and got acquainted with the bustling city. After a good night's sleep, we spent the next morning painting and exploring the grounds of Trinity College. The photographers shot inside the library and around campus while we set up our easels in this quiet courtyard. The architecture was fascinating, and I loved this wooden bench beckoning passers by to sit down and take in the sights. That afternoon we gave everyone free time to explore, photograph, shop, etc. and that evening we all reconnected for a traditional delicious Irish dinner of Guiness stew, fish and chips and various pies.

Exploring the Temple Bar neighborhood in Dublin.

***

If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

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

Fall in New England – Oct. 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.