Painting Rhododendrons on Roan Mountain by Asheville Artist Niki Gulley

 

"Rhododendron Splendor" ©2025 Niki Gulley

30" x 48" textured acrylic painting on canvas

This summer we hiked the Appalachian Trail along Carver's Gap to see the breathtaking Rhododendrons blooming along Roan Mountain. Not only were the flowers spectacular, bursting with every shade of red from magenta and pink to tangerine orange, but the mountain views were so inspiring. On one side you could see for miles into Tennessee and on the other side ridge after ridge of North Carolina. While the hike started out fairly clear, the clouds started to roll in as we climbed higher. But, I loved how that made the fog start dancing along the blue ridge peaks. Luckily, I got some good photographs of the scene before we were doused in rain and had to turn back. I hope you enjoy the peace and beauty as you escape into this gorgeous hike!

For details on more of wildflower or North Carolina paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

  

Textured Hollyhocks Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

   

“Beauty in Blue III” ©2025 Niki Gulley

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

Just Sold! What was I saying about not getting enough blue? Today, my friend and talented artist, Sheri Jones, and I decided to paint another beautiful blue craftsman home as part of the "Paint Historic Waxahachie." But this time I wanted the emphasis on their gorgeous hollyhock garden! The flowers were such a beautiful shade of pale cream with the sun creating blush and golden accents. The homeowner was so welcoming and took such pride in her yard that I was really glad I chose this location, too. What a fun afternoon!

Visit my website at  NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary architectural and garden paintings.

And, for more information on my palette knife impressionistic landscape paintings, please e-mail me at Niki Gulley.

 

 

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.