Painting Picturesque Lauterbrunnen Valley by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

20” x 10” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

©2025 Niki Gulley

I'm so sad to say good-bye to majestic Switzerland! But, really grateful to have been able to capture its beauty on canvas in person and share that with our wonderful Art Treks students. Here is my last painting from the trip. I just had to go back one more time to the picturesque Lauterbrunnen valley. As one of our students pointed out, it's like A.I. designed this ridiculously beautiful spot. Waterfalls cascade over steep cliffs, snow-capped glaciers rise in the distance, an adorable white church nestles in the valley and a refreshing river winds its way through town. I hope you, too, can enjoy its peace and beauty in this very real painting!

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.

***

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!

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-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.

The Challenges of Plein Air Painting in the Swiss Alps with Niki Gulley

 

16” x 20” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

©2025 Niki Gulley

While the morning might have been clear painting at the Alpine Garden, the afternoon was a whole different story. Oh the joys and challenges of plein air painting! Below you can see the fog that would constantly creep in every 5 minutes. Luckily, it would also move out as often. But, that basically meant I had to commit the scene to memory in order to keep painting in-between those rolling clouds filling the valley. Truly fascinating to watch. And, then when the fog would dissipate, I'd be greeted by this incredibly beautiful view with magical light kissing the landscape. Pure heaven!

To see a video of me painting this one, check out https://www.instagram.com/p/DNV0ZpMtXVz/.

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.

***

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!

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-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.

The Sound of Music Comes to Life in Niki Gulley's Switzerland Painting

20” x 10” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

©2025 Niki Gulley

After leading our Switzerland Art Trek, my husband and I stayed a couple of extra days to enjoy more of the gorgeous scenery. Returning to one of my favorite locations, we revisited the bountiful alpine garden above Interlaken. Fortunately, the morning was warmer and clearer and I had this beautiful unobstructed view of the distant mountains and valley. Going vertical to give you a sense of just how tall these awe-inspiring peaks are, I set out to capture the feeling of that majestic expanse. You're so high up that you're practically eye level with the distant clouds rolling in over the snow-capped alps. Joyful wildflowers dance in the foreground and I could practically hear Julie Andrews singing out The Sound of Music!

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.

***

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!

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-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.

Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley Paints Majestic Grindelwald, Switzerland

12” x 9” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

©2025 Niki Gulley

Day 6: Switzerland Art Trek - Grindelwald

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

A bittersweet end to a wonderful week! Today we had to say good-bye to most of our Trekkers, but a few lucky travelers were able to hang around for another couple of days, including us. After we checked out of our hotel, some of our folks rented an apartment across the street and invited us over to relax after the busy week. What a spectacular view of Grindelwald valley from their patio! Fortunately, they invited me to stay and paint there, which I jumped on the chance to capture that beautiful view. Snow-capped glacier - check! Steep, majestic mountain cliffs - check! Dramatic clouds rolling in - check! Sweet, peaceful valley lined with Swiss Chalets and pine trees - check! And, don't forget the beautiful flowers framing the foreground - check!

(Until we meet again! Our amazing Trekkers group at the Top of Europe.)

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.

***

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!

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-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.

 

Last Day Painting on Art Treks Switzerland Workshop with Niki Gulley

 

SOLD • 9” x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

©2025 Niki Gulley

Day 5: Switzerland Art Trek - Schynige Platte

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

Our last day painting in Switzerland. While it was sunny down in the valley, by the time we reached the top of the mountain, we were surrounded by clouds and the temps had dropped considerably. Fortunately if you wait just 5 minutes the weather changes dramatically here. So halfway into painting, the skies parted and we were gifted this gorgeous view of the lake. And, my painters captured it beautifully. What a great last day!

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.

***

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!

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-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.

Painting the Majestic Beauty of Switzerland with Impressionist Niki Gulley

9” x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

©2025 Niki Gulley

Day 4: Switzerland Art Trek - Wengen

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

Today we painted at the most picturesque location - a view of the gorgeous Lauterbrunnen valley below us with the cutest train station. After a solid day of rain the previous day, the sunshine was such a welcome relief. We thoroughly enjoyed the peace of the morning, and my painters created some truly inspired pieces!

Meanwhile some of our Art Treks photographers were hard at work capturing that same valley on our Switzerland workshop. They had to hike much further, but take a look – I think that it was worth it!

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.

***

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!

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-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.

Painting in the Swiss Alps with Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

   

12” x 9” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

©2025 Niki Gulley

Day 3: Switzerland Art Trek

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

We started out today with a lot of rain, so as long as were going to get wet we spent the morning visiting Europe's largest subterranean waterfalls, Trummelbach Falls. It was truly fascinating and awe-inspiring witnessing the power of mother nature surging through the cliff caves.

Fortunately, when we got back to Grindelwald, the rain turned to sunshine and we were able to paint the gorgeous valley and mountain peaks beyond our hotel. Hard to capture that scale in a 12" x 9" canvas, but if you look closely you'll see how tiny the houses look in the foreground compared to those massive cliffs soaring above in the distance. Add to that the fog rolling in over the tops and it feels like you are hovering in the clouds. A fun challenge to paint!

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.

***

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!

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-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.

Switzerland Art Trek Taught by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

  

12” x 9” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel 

©2025 Niki Gulley

Day 2: Switzerland Art Trek - Lauterbrunnen

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

An amazing group and beautiful day painting on our Switzerland Art Trek! Especially since the weather report was predicting rain, rain and more rain. I love that we have 3 different mediums - pastel, watercolor and acrylic, and everyone has their own style and viewpoint even though we’re painting the same scene. Our subject today was this picturesque church in the quaint town of Lauterbrunnen. Surrounded by beautiful mountains with waterfalls cascading down the cliff faces, it doesn't get much more picturesque than this!

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.

***

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!

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026https://www.arttreks.org/carnival-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.