Monday, July 6, 2026

"Peaks and Valleys" Palette Knife Painting from Isle of Skye by Niki Gulley

"Peaks and Valleys" ©2026 Niki Gulley
12" x 16” textured oil painting

Scotland Art Trek – Days 5: Isle of Skye - Quiraing
Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Next up on our Scotland Art Trek itinerary was a morning stop at the Quiraing, a unique area filled with high cliffs, hidden plateaus and unusual rock formations. Allowing a full morning for my painters to capture the land's unique beauty, everyone did an amazing job! I chose this vantage point with some of the purple heather growing in the foreground, adding a nice color contrast to all of that lush greenery. The photographers hiked all around, capturing unique angles and then we all treated ourselves to lunch. Afterwards, we stopped at Mealt Falls to take in the waterfall's power and beauty, and then we finished the day back in Portree.

To purchase "Peaks and Valleys," please check out https://www.nikigulley.com/falling-water-ii-2/.


Photographers searching for that perfect angle to capture the Quiraing's beauty.

Our Scotland Art Treks group enjoying a delicious dinner together.

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



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Globe-Trotting Immersive Excursions for Artists, Foodies and Travelers

Led by Scott Willams and Niki Gulley

We will be returning to the gorgeous Swiss Alps in 2027. These Treks are amazing adventures to explore new cultures and be a part of what makes traveling expand your world and enrich your life. Whether you're a painter, a photographer, food lover or just want to travel in small, friendly groups, this is the trip for you. Don't miss out on this opportunity to join in the fun as our trips fill up quickly! 

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
September 26 - October 3, 2026
Only 3 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

Spain Foodie Trek 
March 13-20, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/spain-foodie-2024/

Switzerland Art Trek
July 26 - Aug. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/switzerland-2027/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 25 - Oct. 2, 2027
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2027/


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.


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https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


Friday, July 3, 2026

Iceland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams


"Falling Water III" ©2026 Niki Gulley
SOLD • 12" x 9” textured oil painting

Iceland Art Trek: Day 2 - Kvernofoss

Just Sold! Next up on our Iceland itinerary was visiting another waterfall. My husband and I love waterfalls, and it feels like Iceland has one even better than the next around every bend! So, needless to say we were pretty happy painting and photographing all of the falls the country had to offer. This cascade that we visited today is smaller in stature but no less impressive. It tumbles down over the rocky mountain and empties into a river carving its way through the lush, craggy valley below. I wanted to capture not only the falls, but the water’s path as it flows and snakes its way around the towering rock formations. Other than the midges that would swarm when the sun came out, it was a perfect afternoon! 


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




If you'd like to join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks including a workshop in Iceland August of 2023, please let us know. 


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

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https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


 

Thursday, July 2, 2026

Colorful Winter Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

 

"Morning Flow" ©Niki Gulley
9" x 12" textured oil painting  

My husband and I recently visited Iceland to gather new inspiration on film and canvas. Going in March so that we could see the northern lights, we were often greeted by snowfall and an occasional blizzard! Today was one of the days where it was too windy to paint or photograph outside so we aimed the car towards this gorgeous vista and I painted from protection of the passenger seat. I loved the play of colors with the blue of the river and sky contrasted against the golden grasses and mountains. The red branches on the winter shrubbery were particularly beautiful and I wanted to feature them in the foreground next to the focal point, meanwhile a light dusting of snow still frosts the ground and adds to the dreamlike landscape.

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


Or, for one click shopping to purchase, go to https://www.nikigulley.com/morning-flow/.

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If you're interested in joining us in 2024 on our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Iceland this coming August or on a future Art Trek or Foodie Trek, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!



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

***

 https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Painting Iceland's Gorgeous Coast with Impressionist Niki Gulley

 


"Protected Cove II" 9" x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel by Niki Gulley


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

Day 7 - Hellnar

The last morning of our Iceland Art Trek was absolutely beautiful. The sun was shining, the wind disappeared and we could have worn shorts! The view of the Atlantic ocean from our hotel was gorgeous, so our painters opted to stay right there and paint from the deck. What a fabulous way to end the trip! I hope you enjoy this scene I painted of the cabin overlooking the bay. I could just imagine staying in that peaceful location and enjoying that scenery everyday. May it transport you so you can feel the joy and serenity, too!



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


If you're a painter, a photographer, a foodie or if you just want to come along for the fun-filled ride, join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks!

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

 

Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Iceland's Black Church Painted from the Car!

  

"The Black Church IV"5" x 7” textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley


So the rain has finally broken in Iceland, but now there are 35 mph wind gusts! Needless to say I am painting from the protection of our car. Love this black church and the dramatic clouds surrounding it.


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


***

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


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If you're a painter, a photographer, a foodie or if you just want to come along for the fun-filled ride, join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks!


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

Monday, June 29, 2026

Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley Paints Iceland's Enchanting Coast

      


"Protected Cove" 9" x 12” textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley

For my last Iceland painting, the skies parted, the rain lifted and the wind all but disappeared. It turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous 70 degree sunshine-filled day. The way the light hit this peaceful cove, I just had to capture the beauty of the moment, vowing to return despite our week! I hope you, too, can feel the joy and tranquility of this magical land.

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


***

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


***

If you're a painter, a photographer, a foodie or if you just want to come along for the fun-filled ride, join us on one of upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks!


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

Friday, June 26, 2026

Last Day of Our Iceland Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 



SOLD • "Viking Village" 9" x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel by Niki Gulley


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

Day 7 - Kirkjufell

Just SOLD! We completed our Iceland Art Trek that we taught on the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, with its other worldly scenery. Our last stop was Kirkjufell, the cone shaped “church” mountain and its waterfall on the north side of the peninsula, and also the most photographed spot in Iceland. We had just enough time while the photographers were capturing its beauty to start one last painting. Everyone chose a different subject today, and I focused in on this cute town across the bay. Dramatic clouds caused the village to glow against the shadowed mountain, and I had fun playing with shapes and light with my palette knife.

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


https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/



***
If you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks! We have just a couple of spots for Iceland this August.


Iceland
August 3-10, 2026

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 

September 26 - October 3, 2026

Only a couple spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026

Only a couple spots left!

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/


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. 

Thursday, June 25, 2026

Strolling through a birch forest painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

  

"Woodland Stroll" ©2026 Niki Gulley
10" x 20” textured oil painting

Today we continued our counterclockwise adventure around Iceland to arrive in the north, near the massive, impressive Godafoss waterfall. Unfortunately, our weather turned for the worse, and it was way too wet to paint the falls. However, just over the mountain, 20 minutes away at our b and b, the skies were fairly clear with even occasional glimpses of sunshine. I loved these birch trees all over their property, leading you down to the gorgeous view of the mountains in the distance. Sprinkled with summer wildflowers, I set out to capture the light casting long shadows from the trunks and causing the grasses to glow in the foreground, leading to a feeling of joy and serenity in this beautiful spot.

Close up texture detail of Woodland Stroll: 

If you'd like to own "Woodland Stroll," please visit https://www.nikigulley.com/woodland-stroll/.


If you're interested in joining us on our upcoming Art Trek to Iceland this August, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!


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

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

  https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


Wednesday, June 24, 2026

Painting Iceland's Gorgeous Coastline in Palette Knife by Niki Gulley

  


"Floating Contemplation" 10" x 20"  textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley

Every day when we left our Iceland hotel to explore the country’s other worldly scenery, we would pass this house situated next to the ocean. Nestled between the Atlantic and inland estuaries, I could just imagine what the idyllic views would be like staying there. So today we stopped so I could capture this serene escape, and bring you along with us.    


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


***

https://www.instagram.com/nikigulley/


***
If you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks! Spaces fill up quickly! 

2026

Iceland
August 3-10, 2026

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 

September 26 - October 3, 2026

Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026

Only 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/


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.


Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Plein Air Painting in Iceland with Artist Niki Gulley

    


"Relaxing View" 9" x 12” textured acrylic painting on panel by Niki Gulley

Today the painters in our Art Treks group stayed right on the beautiful grounds of our hotel to paint the dramatic scenery. Meanwhile, our photographers and tourists went off exploring. We had the day all to ourselves with the exception of the curious hotel staff, who loved our paintings so much, they featured us on their Instagram page!

For our second painting that day, I chose this relaxing view from our patio. The Atlantic sits in the distance and the two chairs invite you to have a seat, take in nature's beauty and leave all of your worries behind.


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

***
If you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing Art Treks! We have just a couple of spots for Iceland this August.


Iceland
August 3-10, 2026

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 

September 26 - October 3, 2026

Only a couple spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026

Only a couple of spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/


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.