Thursday, July 10, 2025

Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley Paints Water Lilies

   

"Tuscany Oasis" ©2025 Niki Gulley
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.

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

•••

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 2025. Please let us know if you would like to join us!


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

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings - Aug. 9th

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/

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, July 8, 2025

Tuscany Poppy Field Painting by Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley

"Ruby Expanse" ©2025 Niki Gulley
10" x 20" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Before we started teaching in Provence, we first took a direct flight to Rome and explored more of Tuscany for a few days before we flew onto France. Remembering from the past that May is usually a perfect time to find poppy fields, we thought we'd find the ruby beauties everywhere. Wrong! Thus began our crazy quest in search of the elusive poppy. And, after a week of scouring the countryside, we finally found them! Of course, they were right next to our b and b, but in a direction we hadn't explored all week. 

But, once we did finally discover them, the vibrant pops of red just lifted my spirits. Combined with gorgeous skies and dramatic lighting, it was truly inspiring and so much fun to paint after 2 solid rainy days. Hope you can feel and experience all of that joy, too!

"Ruby Expanse" is available through The Good Art Company Gallery. Please visit https://www.goodartcompany.com/product-page/abstract-impression-original-art-10x20-landscape-ruby-expanse-tuscany.

•••

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 2025. Please let us know if you would like to join us!


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

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings - Aug. 9th

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. 

***

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.

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

Monday, July 7, 2025

Two Spots Available for Tuscany Foodie Trek this September/ October!

  


"Golden Undulation," Tuscany ©2025 Niki Gulley

10" x 20" Textured Acrylic Painting on Canvas Panel

My husband and I stumbled upon this quintessential Tuscan farmhouse while out for a scenic drive this spring. Perched alone on top of this hill, we loved how the incredibly long cypress lined driveway was silhouetted by the sky. The soft light caused the hills to glow the most intense golden chartreuse, and I felt compelled to capture the beautiful scene. Unfortunately that meant I had to set up my easel alongside a rather busy road. Undeterred by the constant parade of racing traffic and horn honking semi trucks, I quickly got to work in order to paint these gorgeous clouds and light before they were gone.

"Golden Undulation" is available through The Good Art Company Gallery. Visit https://www.goodartcompany.com/product-page/abstract-impression-original-art-10x20-landscape-golden-undulation.

***

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 2025. Please let us know if you would like to join us!

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

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings - Aug. 9th

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. 

***

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


Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my impressionistic palette knife paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary Italy and European paintings.

Friday, July 4, 2025

Painting and Photographing Gullfoss Waterfall on Niki Gulley’s and Scott Williams’ Art Trek to Iceland

       


SOLD • "Cascading IV"12" x 9” 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 4 - Gullfoss

Just Sold! Today we visited the Gullfoss waterfall at the top of The Golden Circle. We set out to capture these gorgeous falls with all of their power and glory. Using diagonal strokes to illustrate the energy and strength of the flowing mass, I also wanted to show the water's beauty as it gushed and tumbled over the dramatic cliffs. I hope you can hear the surging cascade and feel the joy of this magical place.



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! 

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

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

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings - Aug. 9th

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. 

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Waterfall Palette Knife Painting from Iceland by Niki Gulley

 

 


"Cascading II" 9" x 12” textured acrylic painting on canvas panel bu=y Niki Gulley

Iceland Art Trek: Day 1 - Skogafoss

First stop on our Iceland Art Trek this year was the Skogafoss waterfall. Surrounded by lush grassy mountains, this cascade surges downward with such force and power! Today we set up our easels to capture the energy and flow of the water. Creating strokes in diagonal sweeping shapes to enhance that feeling of movement and rhythm, I hope you, too, can hear the flowing water's music and feel the gentle spray from its mist.


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! 

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

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

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings - Aug. 9th

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. 

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Iceland Painting and Photography Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

     


"Ice Drift" by Niki Gulley
9" x 12” textured oil painting

Iceland Art Trek: Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
Day 2 - Vatnajokull National Park / Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon

After enjoying the gentle beauty in Southern Iceland, we worked our way around the country counterclockwise and visited the frozen lagoons and icebergs in the east next. Uniquely shaped large ice chunks float along gorgeous turquoise waters as they drift out to sea. Each one has a distinct shape and color that make them fascinating to watch. This afternoon, I set out to capture this rather interesting square ice piece with aqua blue diagonal ridges running through it. I pulled in fairly tightly so you could focus on its design and then I painted in a glimpse of the mountain behind it to give you a sense of scale. Meanwhile, the water below becomes slightly blurry as the ice chunks slowly drift by and we are caught up in the mesmerizing moment. 




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! 

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

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

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings - Aug. 9th

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. 

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

New Cascades from Iceland by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

  


"Cascading III" 12" x 9” 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 3 - Waterfalls and More Waterfalls

On Day 3 of our Iceland Art Trek, we visited more gorgeous waterfalls! Crashing through cliffs, splashing over rocks, bubbling downstream, the cascades flow out to sea. I chose to paint this scene with loose, expressive brushstrokes to convey the movement and energy of the rushing water and the texture in the cliffs and rocks. Fortunately, the river was still enough to reflect the falls in the distance and we were able to capture that crystal mirror.



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! 

Switzerland Art Trek 
July 26 – August 2, 2025
Full

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

Carnivalé Art Trek - Venice, Italy 2026 
Feb. 8-14, 2026
Early Registration Deadline for $600 savings - Aug. 9th

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. 

***


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