Sunflower Palette Knife Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

  

"Tuscan Sunshine"

SOLD •  16" x 20" textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

These bright, smiling faces as big as dinner plates, the villa and farmland perched on a hilltop in the distance, and a beautiful summer day with a few clouds drifting by made for the ideal subject in Tuscany today. The resulting painting is full of warmth, color and texture, and my hope is that when you gaze into it, this piece lifts your spirits and brightens up any spot in your home!

***

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'd like to join us on one of our fun-filled upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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 in Tuscany with Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Flowering Destination" ©2025 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 16" x 20" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

When we pulled into this villa in Italy, I thought I'd walked into a fantasy land! Gorgeous Roman architecture surrounded by the most beautiful rose gardens in every direction. I could just imagine holding the most romantic wedding here, and how happy all of your guests would be. I hope you, too, can escape into these idyllic grounds and absorb the beauty of Tuscany.

•••

For details on more of my Tuscany or European 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!

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.

Uplifting Palette Knife Sunflower Painting by Niki Gulley

 

 

"Sunshine Serenade" ©2026 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 16" x 20" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

Started on location in Tuscany, these bright, smiling faces just lifted my spirits and I had to paint them to share their cheer with you! Beyond these joyous sunflowers, the quintessential Tuscan farmhouse has the best view of the surrounding valleys. Misty clouds rise from the horizon as cooler nights meet warmer days and set the stage of the magical light and dreamy allure of Tuscany. The resulting painting is full of warmth, color and texture, and my hope is that when you gaze into it, this piece lifts your spirits and brightens up any spot in your home.

If interested in purchasing this piece, click here nikigulley.com/sunshine-serenade/.

***

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

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

***

Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you're in luck if you've always wanted to go! We've had a couple of spots open up for our trip next September. Please let us know if you would like to join us. Spaces fill up quickly! 

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.

Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley Paints Water Lilies

 

   

"Tuscany Oasis" ©2025 Niki Gulley

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

Is this just about the most beautiful setting you could imagine? Castle - check. Cypress trees - check. Water lilies - check. Surrounded by beautiful roes all around - check. Set against a gorgeous blue sky on a warm, sunny day - check. I don't think this one needs any explanation as to why I had to paint it! All I have to say is I hope you, too, are transported to this magical wonderland.

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

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

•••

Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you're in luck if you've always wanted to go! We've had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2027. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

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.

Agriturismo Cooking Class in the Italian Countryside with Foodie Treks

 

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 in the Countryside

Today we had our second cooking class today at a fully operating agriturismo. We started making a hand rolled Pici pasta with homemade tomato sauce. Then we moved onto creating a salt crusted pork loin stuffed with herbs, along with roasted veggies. Finally we finished with wine cookies dusted in cinnamon sugar. We also got a chance to tour the farm and cheese making facility. Finally, we reaped the fruits of our labors with some cheese tasting and dining on the delicious meal we cooked, always having a great time!!! Life is so good.

For my painting today, you never know what’s going to happen when you set up on location. Today was rather warm so I chose this shady overlook with views of the beautiful vineyard below. It seemed like a nice, quiet spot. Then came 5 pm, which turns out was social hour for the local guys.

Some stared with crossed arms and facial expressions like they just ate lemons, some paced by craning their necks and one friendly man invited us in Italian to see his home up close since it was the vineyard next to where I was painting. It’s never dull!

To see a video of my process, check out https://www.instagram.com/p/DOv2N5zDO9n//

***

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.

******

 Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you're in luck if you've always wanted to go! We've had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2026. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!

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

Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026

Just A Few Spots left!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

Registration Now Open

 

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 Sadly Concludes with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

"Pops of Sunshine" 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. 

Meanwhile I had to capture this gorgeous view of the distant hills and farmhouse that we see from our breakfast table at the villa each morning. With a few clouds drifting by, there was a beautiful soft light and a symphony of autumn colors framed by the quintessential Tuscan cypress tree in the foreground. What a perfect morning!

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

***

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

To purchase this piece, visit https://www.goodartcompany.com/product-page/acrylic-art-20x10-scenery-pops-of-sunshine-tuscany.

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

***

 Tuscany is always our most popular Foodie Trek as the food, wine, people, scenery and history are unparalleled. And, you're in luck if you've always wanted to go! We've had two spots open up for our trip this fall and there are a couple of spots still open for 2026. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
2 Spots Left!

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

Switzerland Art Trek 
August 2026

Just A Few Spots left!

Tuscany Foodie Trek 
Sept. 2027

Registration Now Open

 

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.

Colorful Winter Oil Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

 

"Morning Flow" ©Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured oil painting  

Available at https://www.nikigulley.com/morning-flow/.

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.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more details.

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

***

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.

***

 

Teaching Painting and Photography in Switzerland with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

  

"Alpine Sanctuary" ©2026 Niki Gulley

12” x 9” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

Day 1: Switzerland Art Trek

Plein Air Painting and Photo Workshop Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

My husband and I just got back from leading the most amazing workshop in Switzerland with jaw-dropping scenery around every corner! Once everyone arrived at our hotel, we stayed close to home the first day. With a chance of rain, we actually painted the beautiful scenery from the front deck of our hotel since we had a nice, large covered area to keep us dry. The cutest white church was in perfect view, so that's what most of us landed on for our subject. With a beautiful mountain backdrop and colorful plantings out front, it turned out to be the ideal subject. I hope you can hear those bells ringing out the top of the hour and echoing through the valley.

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

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

***

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.

  

Challenges of Painting in Switzerland with NC Artist Niki Gulley

  

"Alpine Expressions II" ©2026 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 20” X 10” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

Just Sold! Painting in Switzerland. while beautiful and inspiring, presented a new bunch of challenges. One of which was the unpredictability of mountain weather and the consistent threat of rain. Which, when you're working in a water-based medium like acrylics, is really not good for the painting! Fortunately, I have a husband is sympathetic to the creative process as he is an artist/ photographer also.

Go back a couple of years and Scott was shooting this dramatic waterfall in Iceland in crazy winds and rain. I was doing my best to hold the umbrella over his camera gear so he could get the beautiful shot. Now come full circle here in Switzerland and he returned the favor by protecting my painting in the drizzle. Teamwork!!!

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

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

***

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.