Tuscany Foodie Trek Sadly Concludes with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

20" x 10" textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

Day 7, Pienza:  TUSCANY FOODIE TREK

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

On the last day of our Tuscany Foodie 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 inspirational scenery to paint. From one of the overlooks, I chose this beautiful vineyard perched above the rolling hills for my subject. Diagonally planted grapevines lead your eye to the quintessential Tuscan farmhouse, surrounded by cypress and jaw-dropping views. May this one transport you to this magical place!

We capped the night off with an amazing Michelin dinner surrounded by new friends and drifted off to sleep, full, happy and at peace.

Making pasta memories!

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For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

***

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.

The Magic of Tuscany Painted by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

   

16" x 20" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

by Niki Gulley

Tuscany Foodie Trek - Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 5: Cooking Class

Today at our villa, we learned how to make authentic Tuscan meals from a local home chef. From hand rolled 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, which were delicious!

While the rest of our group was learning how to recreate an Italian feast, I had been admiring this view from the back of our villa. The surrounding scenery is breathtaking with 360 degree views of rolling hills and valleys, dotted by olive groves and quintessential Tuscan farmhouses. Today the late afternoon light was so beautiful how it cast its golden glow on the landscape, and I had to capture it before it was gone. The serpentine roads lead you up over the hills and into the distance. I hope you enjoy the escape to beautiful Tuscany, too, when you gaze at my painting!

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

***

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.

Visiting Vineyards and Wine Tasting with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

  

SOLD • 20" x 10" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

by Niki Gulley

Tuscany Foodie Trek - Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 4: Wine Tasting in Montalcino

Just sold! Today we visited the nearby hill town of Montalcino and sampled their famous Brunello wines. The vino was beyond delicious and the spread of homemade bruschetta and local meats and cheeses were paired perfectly. Stopping off along the way, we toured an ancient Monastery that feels so spiritual in its divine simplicity that everyone found it a highlight of the trip.

In the above painting you can see this beautiful abbey in the distance, surrounded by grapevines, olive groves and cypress trees. Signs of fall appear as the colorful vines turn vibrant shades of crimson. Setting up my easel across from this vineyard, I began recreating the soft light that would break through the clouds and illuminate various hilltops and plantings. I arranged the vines to lead your eye back to the church and the beautiful countryside. I hope you can taste the delicious wine and escape to Tuscany with us!

***

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

***

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

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Only 1 Spot Left!
Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek 
New Date – September 20-27, 2025
Just a couple of spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

Siena Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

©2024 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Day 3:  TUSCANY ART TREK - Siena

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

On the third 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. It turned out the homeowner who lived in the yellow house was so happy that I was painting his home, that he kept checking on my progress while I was working. I love getting to meet the locals while I work!

For dinner that night, we treated ourselves to a delicious home-made Italian meal of pastas, truffles, pecorino cheese and some amazing red wine!

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Only 1 space left! 

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025

FULL

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek 
September 27 - October 4, 2025
4 Spaces Left!

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 Art Treks, visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.

***

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

NikiGulley.com

Visiting Montepulciano and Tuscan Wineries with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

20" x 10" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

by Niki Gulley 

During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Perched atop a giant hill with beautiful views of the surrounding vineyards below, I set up my easel at this breathtaking overlook while the rest of our group visited wineries and toured the town. I could just imagine what it would be like living in that villa with those spectacular views. And, I even got to meet the homeowners who were based out of Austin, TX of all places and they confirmed my suspicions of just how fabulous it is staying there!

After lunch, we visited a winery 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 Foodie or Art Treks, please let us know.

***

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

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Only 1 Spot Left!
Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek 
New Date – September 20-27, 2025
Just a couple of spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

Tuscany Foodie Trek with Scott Williams and Niki Gulley

 

View from our Villa, Tuscany ©2024 Niki Gulley 

9" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

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

On the first day of our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we picked everyone up from the Rome airport and drove them to our new abode for the next week, nestled amongst the rolling Tuscan hills.  The villa is beautiful and the view so spectacular that we just relaxed and soaked in that gorgeous scenery the first day. Some people enjoyed the pool while others got settled in. That night we had the most spectacular sunset while we dined al fresco on a 7 course meal made by an amazing Italian mama chef. A spectacular way to kick off the trip!

For more details on my other Tuscany paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

***

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.

Dining al Fresco in Tuscany with Impressionist Landscape Painter Niki Gulley

  

20" x 10" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

by Niki Gulley 

I loved this antique table set up underneath the shade of this gnarly umbrella pine in Tuscany. The setting was so warm and inviting – we just wanted to have a lovely picnic there. Throw in a bottle of wine and you have the perfect backdrop for a relaxing lunch!

For details on more of my Tuscany and Italy paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

***

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

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Only 1 Spot Left!
Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek 
New Date – September 20-27, 2025
Just a couple of spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

Painting Poppy Fields in Tuscany with Niki Gulley

   

"Ruby Expanse II" ©2024 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 12" x 16" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

This beautiful poppy scene was inspired by the view out our window in Tuscany! The vibrant red carpet filled fields lifted our spirits every time we gazed outside, and I had to paint this one from our room. Cypress trees framed the scene and the constantly changing light cast dramatic shadows on the distant mountains and villa while billowing clouds drifted by. I hope this one transports you to this happy place and takes all of your worries with it!

•••

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my poppy and wildflower field paintings.

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

 

***

If you'd like to join us on one of our Euorpean Art Treks and learn to paint or photograph, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org for more information.

Tuscan Hills and Valleys Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

18" x 24" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

by Niki Gulley 

The views in Tuscany are just gorgeous - Straight out of “Under the Tuscan Sun” beauty! Today I was drawn to this villa surrounded by olive trees and jaw-dropping vistas of the valley stretching for miles. The best part of the day was getting to meet the homeowner and her pride that I chose to paint her house! I hope you enjoy the peaceful escape with me.

For details on more of my Tuscany and Italy paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Or, check out my website at nikigulley.com to see more of my contemporary landscape palette knife paintings.

***

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

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Only 1 Spot Left!
Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek 
New Date – September 20-27, 2025
Just a couple of spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

New Vineyard Painting by Palette Knife Artis Niki Gulley

  

16" x 20" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

by Niki Gulley

We visited Tuscany this fall and were surrounded by grapevines everywhere we went, with the gorgeous, plump purple grapes ready to harvest at any moment. I loved these vibrant vines in the foreground framing the rolling hills in the distance. Setting up my easel across from this vineyard, I created this textured painting with palette knife and a lot of paint. I arranged the planted vines to lead your eye across the canvas, stopping at the Tuscan villa on your way. Morning light cast deep purple shadows on the ground and caused the leaves and soil to glow. As a treat when I finished, we enjoyed a picnic of salami, proscuitto, pecorino and of course, vino. Yum!

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

Or, E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

***

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

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Only 1 Spot Left!
Visit https://www.arttreks.org/greece-2025/ for details.

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full
More info. at https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2025/.

Tuscany Foodie Trek Trek 
New Date – September 20-27, 2025
Just a couple of spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

If you  have any questions or would like to register, please contact Scott at photoguy@blind-squirrel.org or 214-289-8512.

Visit ArtTreks.org for more details on all of our trips.

 
Check out our review page on TripAdvisor and feel free to leave one of your own.

***