Visiting Siena, Italy - Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

  

"Tunnel of Light," Siena, Italy
SOLD • 12" x 9" oil painting by Niki Gulley

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

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

A mid-afternoon gelato break!

***

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!

Iceland Art Trek
Aug. 3-10, 2026

https://www.arttreks.org/iceland-2026/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 

September 26 - October 3, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-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.

***

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

NikiGulley.com

Day 2, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

Day 2, Greece Art Trek:  Santorini

12" x 9" textured acrylic painting by Niki Gulley

On the second full day of our Greece Art Trek, we flew to Santorini and gawked at the amazing view from our hotel overlooking the caldera. Our painters set up their easels right there since the scenery was so beautiful, while the photographers toured through town, shooting the white washed architecture and fantastic views of the ocean below. I chose this vantage of the rocky cliff dotted with dessert plants framing the vivid blue water and the town of Oia in the distance. Everything had a nice soft light that created subtle shadow and intense colors. The cool breeze and great company of our students made for the perfect afternoon painting.

Painting from the pool deck or our hotel!

View of Fira, Santorini

***

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist paintings.

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

***

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

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

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

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 
September 26 - October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

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

Day 1, Greece Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

 

Day 1, Greece Art Trek:  The Acropolis, Athens
9" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel by Niki Gulley

On the first full day of our plein air painting and photography workshop in Greece, we visited the Acropolis in Athens along with several other ancient sites. It was truly awe inspiring to see a part of history from the fifth century BC and to imagine what life must have been like as democracy was beginning. In the afternoon, the painters set up their easels on top of the balcony at our hotel to paint this beautiful view of the Parthenon while the photographers continued touring the city. In this painting, I wanted to capture a sense of scale with the Acropolis, and suggest how it rises above the city on this massive mound, towering majestically over the city, kissed by the clouds above.

Breakfast from the terrace of our hotel. What a view of the Acropolis!

***

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

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

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

https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025/

Tuscany Foodie Trek 2026 
September 26 - October 3, 2026
Only 4 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2026/

Cinque Terre & Lake Como, Italy
October 4-11, 2026
Only 6 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/cinque-terre-2026/

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

***

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Visiting Siena, Italy - Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

   

"Tunnel of Light," Siena, Italy
 12" x 9" oil painting by Niki Gulley

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

A mid-afternoon gelato break!

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

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Full
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 
September 20-27, 2025
Just 2 spots left!
https://www.arttreks.org/tuscany-foodie-2025

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 Siena, Italy - Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

  

"Tunnel of Light," Siena, Italy
 12" x 9" oil painting by Niki Gulley

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

A mid-afternoon gelato break!

Iceland Art Trek
August 6-13, 2024
FULL

Greece Art Trek
May 17-24, 2025
Only a few spaces 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 Siena, Italy - Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

  

"Tunnel of Light," Siena, Italy
12" x 9" oil painting by Niki Gulley

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

A mid-afternoon gelato break!

If you're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks, please visit http://www.ArtTreks.org.  

•••

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

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.

"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.

***

Santa Fe Pastel by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

 

"The Blue Door," Santa Fe ©2022 Niki Gulley
12" x 9" pastel

During our Santa Fe workshop, one morning we headed to a quiet street in downtown. It was a beautiful day, and we were all drawn to the unique adobe architecture typical in Santa Fe, the soft morning light, and the vibrant color accents on each home. I chose this periwinkle doorway, both for the striking contrast against the orange pueblo and also because the Russian sage everywhere was so beautiful, and added some balance on the left hand side of the composition. We all thoroughly enjoyed the morning, even if a passing homeowner or two were disappointed that we hadn't picked their doorways to paint!

To see more of Niki Gulley's New Mexico and Southwest paintings, visit NikiGulley.com.

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my plein air travel paintings.

Laundry Drying in Burano, Italy by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

"Laundry Day II" ©2022 Niki Gulley

12" x 9" textured oil painting 

The sound of sheets flapping in the breeze caught my attention and brought me down the alleyway and resulted in one of those purely Italian moments.

E-mail Niki Gulley.

 NikiGulley.com

***

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

•

New England

Art Trek - Oct. 10-15

"Venetian Textures" Oil Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

 

"Venetian Textures" ©2021 Niki Gulley

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

Just Sold! 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. 

***

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. We'll be returning to Venice in February 2023!

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