Painting in Venice with Painting Teacher Niki Gulley

 

"Laundry Day IV" Burano ©2023 Niki Gulley

5" x 7" • textured oil painting on panel

On the second day of our Venice Art Trek, we headed to the islands of Burano and Murano. Burano is known as a fishing community (and for the homemade lace that they make there), and to help the fisherman find their houses while coming back from sea, they painted their homes every color of the rainbow. With the picturesque canals and so many great colored buildings to choose from, it's hard to pick a single subject matter! We were drawn to this quiet location, however, and the vibrant yellow stucco wall with that morning's laundry being hung out to dry and the bicycle waiting for a ride. Today I chose to work with thick oil paint and palette knife to capture the rough surface of the walls, resulting in a final painting which is loaded with texture and color.

If you'd like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know.

For more details, E-mail Niki Gulley or go to ArtTreks.org.

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www.NikiGulley.com

"Twilight," Venice Pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

"Twilight, Venice" by Niki Gulley 11" x 14" pastel

In anticipation of our upcoming painting/photography workshop that my husband and I are teaching in Venice, Italy this spring, I thought I'd put my excitement down on canvas. I can't wait to get back to the beauty and magic of Venice. I love entering a different world and time when we visit. This piece is inspired by the glow cast from the sun setting beyond the lagoon. Most of the gondolas have returned from their romantic cruises and have been put up for the night. There is a calmness to the usually bustling waterway that I thoroughly enjoy this time of day. 

If interested in "Twilight, Venice," e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

Or, visit my website to see more of my contemporary impressionist paintings at NikiGulley.com.

For more information about our next painting/photography workshops in Italy and other European locations, go to ArtTreks.org.

Watching Sunset, Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Venice Art Trek
8" x 12" pastel by Niki Gulley

After we finished painting that morning, the photographers joined us for lunch when they were done shooting. We enjoyed a delicious pizza al fresco and afterwards the photographers kept shooting, the painters had some down time, and we reconnected late that afternoon to take the ferry across the canal to San Giorgio Island where a full masquerade of characters were gathered for sunset. We chose this quiet location looking back at Venice framed by the docked boats for our paintings. That night we dined on delicious seafood pasta, fresh fish and a delicious local red wine. A great first day!

Scott Williams photograph of one of the costumes during Carnivalé.

If you'd like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know. For more details, E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com or go to arttreks.org.

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!

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www.NikiGulley.com

"Gondola Ride" Oil Painting by Palette Knife Painter Niki Gulley

 

"Gondola Ride," Venice ©2019 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 12" x 9" oil painting

Just Sold! I painted this piece on location during our Art Trek we taught in Venice while their infamous Carnival celebration was taking place. Since St. Mark's Square can get overrun with tourists, we chose to set up our easels along a side street to enjoy the peacefulness and beauty of the city. I love the magical light that comes flooding in through the canals and is so distinctive of Venice. The stone bridge with its iron railing sets a perfect backdrop to the gondolier rowing his enchanted passengers through the romantic back canals.

To see more of my travel paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

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

Iceland - Aug. 2020

Foodie Trek - Tuscany - Oct. 2020

Paris - May 2021

Portugal - Sept. 2021

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

"Dining al Fresco" Venice pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

Dining al Fresco, Venice - 12"X18" Pastel by Niki Gulley

A warm evening breeze stirs, caressing your face as you dine. The sights and sounds of Venice mingle before your eyes, an unfolding opera of color and light. A couple strolls, enamored with the beauty that envelopes them, drawn into the Italian night, hand in hand. The love between them is nearly palpable, and as they pass you by, you feel it radiate off of them, just as the light spreads itself against the encroaching night.

The soft touch of the pastels help to capture the calm evening. Venice is filled with the romance and this scene really resonated with me. The warm palette gives one a feeling of calm, a comforting touch, as if by a summer breeze. 

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If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Europe, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Treks. We'd love to have you along! E-mail Niki Gulley for more information or go to arttreks.org for more details.

For more information on "Dining al Fresco," please e-mail Niki Gulley nikigulley@sbcglobal.net.

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

"Dreamlike Journey" Pastel from Venice by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Dreamlike Journey,” Venice, Italy ©2012 Niki Gulley

12” x 9” pastel

I created this pastel during a workshop my husband and I taught in Venice. We love the city, and there is so much inspiration there between the art, architecture, canals and magical light that it's really hard to narrow down what to paint! On this day, we decided to stick with a classic view of the canals. I like the way light peeks through the narrow passageway and leads your eye from building to building, and the gondola that happened into the scene created the perfect finishing detail.

If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Italy, join me and my husband / travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Treks.. Our unique Art Treks afford you the option to choose which aspects interest you, whether it is painting, photography, both or neither, thereby giving you an opportunity to make the most of your experience. Our trips are designed to hone your skills and expand your creativity, all while you further your artistic voice and immerse yourself in the region's culture and lifestyle. Non-participating partners are encouraged to join us for a reduced price, and we'll help with travel arrangements, tours, transportation, etc. while we're painting and photographing.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information or go to ArtTreks.org.

NikiGulley.com

"Bon Appetito" Venice pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“Bon Appetito” by Niki Gulley
Pastel on board • 24” x 36”

On my first trip to Europe, my husband wanted to take me to Venice since it was one of his favorite cities, and I fell in love with almost everything about it. The timeless quality created by living on canals free of cars, the history in the architecture and even the cobbled walkways, the beauty of the scenery and the magical quality created by the light to name just a few of my favorite things. I love how food and meals play such an important role in Italian culture – a time to slow down and enjoy friendships while savoring the locally grown cuisine and wines over the course of the evening. In this pastel I wanted to communicate all of those joyful feelings in addition to capturing the energy and romance of the city at night. Bon Appetito!

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If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Treks. We'd love to have you with us! E-mail Niki Gulley for more information or go to nikigulley.com/artreks for more details.

For more information on "Bon Appetito," please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

"A Pause in Time" Venice pastel by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

“A Pause in Time” Venice, Italy by Niki Gulley

18” x 24” pastel

Mysterious, enchanted, dreamlike – Venice is a fairytale at night. 

Evening has drawn its starry cloak over the city, the crowds and pigeons are gone and three women enjoy the evening at a café in Piazza San Marco. 

This changeling city, this artist’s muse now is unhurried, relaxed and romantic

and this one perfect moment in time is held in artful pastels, satiated colors – 

rich velvet textures capture ebony/violet chairs that Peggy, Pollock or Cole Porter may have sat in,

paintings of angels from old Venice and three modern women of today complete this delicate balance in a point of time.

This piece won an award at the Southwest Pastel Society's National Juried Show Exhibit.

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If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Treks. We'd love to have you join us! E-mail Niki Gulley for more information or go to nikigulley.com/artreks for more details.

For more information on "Bon Appetito," please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

Venice Art Trek
9" x 12" pastel by Niki Gulley

We just got back from teaching our latest Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek in Venice during Carnivalé and had the most amazing time! The weather was ideal, and we found our way to this quiet landing to paint a typical Venetian canal on our first morning. I liked the way the sunlight raked across the colorful buildings and emphasized all of the texture in the stucco and brickwork. We had to paint quickly since boats kept entering and leaving our scene, all part of the morning hustle and bustle in Venice. Luckily I loosely got the red boat in right before it took off!

If you'd like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know. For more details, E-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

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www.NikiGulley.com

"Drip Dry" Palette Knife Plein Air Painting by Niki Gulley

"Drip Dry" ©2022 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 12" x 9" textured oil painting on panel

With the picturesque canals and so many great colored buildings to choose from, it's hard to pick a single subject matter in Burano, Italy. But, today I was drawn to this quiet location with its vibrant blue stucco wall as the backdrop for that morning's laundry being hung out to dry. I chose to work with thick oil paint and palette knife to capture the rough surface of the walls, resulting in a final painting which is loaded with texture and color.  

 NikiGulley.com

E-mail Niki Gulley.

***

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.

2023 Schedule

Venice - Carnivalé 

Art Trek - Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek - May 27 - June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek - June 24- July 1

Palette Knife Oil Painting from Venice by Niki Gulley

  

 "Venetian Textures II" ©2023 Niki Gulley

16" x 12" textured oil on canvas panel 

I started this piece during our Plein Air / Photography Art Trek Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I lead in Venice, Italy. We had painted several other grand locations, but decided on day three to paint a more intimate vignette of the canals. Since the whole city is on water, I love how their "garage doors" are actually for their boats! In this painting, I wanted to focus on all of the wonderful architectural textures and age of the homes as seen in the peeling stucco, crumbling bricks and weathered wood. Luckily I had a steady stream of gondolas passing as I was painting so I could add one in to set the mood.

To purchase and for more details, go to nikigulley.com/venetian-textures/.

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

For more information on my Venice and other travel paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

***

If you'd like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

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

***

New "Laundry Day II" Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

"Laundry Day II" ©2022 Niki Gulley

5" x 7" textured oil painting 

I had to capture this laundry drying with a cool morning breeze set against a peeling paint backdrop in the back canals of Venice. Dramatic lighting made the sheets glow in the morning sun. I love the rich colors Europeans paint their houses!

E-mail Niki Gulley.

 NikiGulley.com

***

And, if you'd like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know. 

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

2023 Schedule

Venice - Carnivalé 

Art Trek - Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek - May 27 - June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek - June 24- July 1

2024 Schedule

Spain

Foodie Trek - March  

•

Portugal

Art Trek - March 

•

Iceland

Art Trek - August

•

Tuscany 

Foodie Trek - October

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

Packing Your Suitcase for a Painting Trip to Italy with Niki Gulley

Niki Gulley, Contemporary Impressionist Painter

Upcoming Venice Art Trek Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

The other day I showed you the materials that I take with me when I'm teaching / painting overseas. So, today I thought you might be interested in seeing how in the world all of this gear fits into my suitcase!

So, pretty much 1/2 to 2/3rds of my case ends up being painting supplies. Above you can see my Pochade box (easel) stacked on top of my wet panel carrier. In front of that, I have a bag with back-up paints should I run out of a color and the supplies that didn't fit inside of my pochade box along with a roll of paper towels. I could buy those there, but I'm partial to VIVA since they hold up like rags and I have yet to find that brand in Europe. Lastly, in front of that you can see my tripod and my sun hat is in the lid.

Below I've attached a photo that shows you how I pack my clothes in the air space bags and below that is another pair of shoes, toiletries, medicines, etc. Voila! I actually got it all to fit and weigh under the maximum limit of 50 pounds. Thank goodness for dressing in layers so my clothes actually fit.

To see my plain air landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her paintings or classes.

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If you'd like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

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

***

How to Pack Plein Air Painting Supplies for Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley

Niki Gulley, Contemporary Impressionist Painter

Upcoming Venice Art Trek 

The other day I showed you how I prepare and carry my canvas when we travel and paint. The next step is to start gathering the rest of my supplies, making sure I have enough paint, etc.

For our upcoming Art Trek that Scott and I are teaching in Venice, I've chosen to work with acrylics. I prefer a brand called "Open" acrylics made by Golden. They are slower drying than typical acrylics –perfect for location paintings.

Here you can also see my Pochade box which is a brilliant all-in-one design, where it acts as easel, supply holder and even carries 2 wet canvases in the back. I love it! Just attach it to a tripod or hold it in your lap and you're ready to go. Also, a pair of gloves, collapsible water holder, brushes, palette knives, paper towels, palette and don't forget your hat!

Now I just need to squeeze all of this into my suitcase along with my clothes and other travel necessities! Stay tuned...

To see my plain air landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her paintings or classes.

***

If you'd like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

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

***

What Art Supplies to Pack on an Overseas Plein Air Painting Trek

Contemporary Impressionist Painter  – Niki Gulley

Venice Art Trek 

People often ask me how I pack my paints and gear when we travel, so I thought you might like to see a sneak peek at that process. Today I started getting ready for the upcoming Art Trek, my husband, Scott Williams, and I are teaching in Venice. 

First step is preparing my canvas boards. I don’t like to s*tart on white, so I’ve painted a bunch of different colored acrylic backgrounds and I’ll choose whichever color seems best for the scene that day. Aren’t they fun? Like different color starburst candies! 

Next, these will go into my wet painting carrier which has slots in it to keep the wet paintings from touching. 

To see my plain air landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

***

If you'd like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

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

***

"Ready to Ride" Gondola Painting from Venice by Niki Gulley

 

 

"Ready to Ride" ©2020 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 12" x 9" textured oil painting on panel

Very few things evoke the spirit of place like a gondola does for Venice. This singular form of transportation is the signature of a city built on canals and just a glimpse brings forth dreams of traversing the many waterways with someone special.

E-mail Niki Gulley.

 NikiGulley.com

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If you'd like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know.

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

Iceland Painting and Photography Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

"Ice Drift" ©2023 Niki Gulley

9" x 12” textured oil painting

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 3 - Vatnajokull National Park / Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

The next morning, we stopped by to photograph more puffins on our way out of town. Because you can never have enough puffin watching! Then we gathered up our merry band of trekkers and headed further east to the Vatnjokull National Park. Here we had several hours to hike and photograph the exotic scenery and another amazing waterfall before our final drive to our hotel located near the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

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If you'd like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. We will be returning to Iceland August of 2024.

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

 NikiGulley.com

Waterfall Palette Knife Painting from Iceland by Niki Gulley

 

"Falling Water II", Skógafoss, Iceland ©2023 Niki Gulley

12" x 16” textured oil painting

Iceland Art Trek: Day 1 - Skogafoss

First stop on our Iceland Art Trek this year was the Skogafoss waterfall. Surrounded by lush grassy mountains, this cascade surges downward with such force and power! Today I set up my easel to capture the energy and flow of the water. Creating strokes in diagonal sweeping shapes to enhance that feeling of movement and rhythm, I hope you, too, can hear the flowing water's music and feel the gentle spray from its mist.

To purchase "Falling Water," go to https://www.nikigulley.com/falling-water-ii-2/.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my Iceland painting series.

***

If you'd like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. We'll be returning to Iceland in August of 2024!

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

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