Painting and Photographing Pienza with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

SOLD • 12" x 9" textured oil by Niki Gulley

Day 6, Pienza:  TUSCANY ART TREK

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

On the last day of our Tuscany Art 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 interesting corners to paint. I chose this doorway since I loved the texture of the stone walls, the potted plants around it, and the soft light raking across it.

While some of our group explored Pienza, a few of the others stayed back at the villa to take a cooking class from a Tuscan mama chef. From hand rolled pici pasta, to roasted pork, to various pizzas and appetizers and finishing with a chocolate cherry ricotta torte, they shared their homemade creations with the rest of us. While they had a great time learning, we thoroughly enjoyed tasting their new found skills in the kitchen!

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. The early registration deadline of Sept. 23rd for a $600 on most trips is quickly approaching, so don't wait!

FULL - Fall in New England – Oct. 10-15, 2017

FULL - Croatia and Slovenia – May  9 – 17 (or with extended 4 days May 9 – 21 /2018

Venice, Italy (Carnival) – February 3 – 10 /2018

Tuscany, Italy – Sept 7-15, 2018

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – September  14 – 23 /2018   

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

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

To see more of my palette knife contemporary landscape paintings, visit nikigulley.com.


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Palette Knife Painting Demo by Texas Artist Niki Gulley for the Trinity Art Guild

"Spring's Arrival"  ©2014  Niki Gulley
24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas

Inspired from our Art Trek to Provence, I chose to paint this stone farm house and poppy field for my palette knife demonstration for the Trinity Art Guild last week. The resulting image is loaded with thick oil paint and texture, uplifting color and energy!

If you'd like to join us in Provence for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop June 26th - July 4th, please let me know soon as there are only 2 spaces left! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

***

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

NikiGulley.com

Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams - Deadline tomorrow!

"Welcome Home," Tuscany  ©2014  Niki Gulley
12" x 9" textured oil painting

On the last day of our Tuscany Art Trek in September, we explored the nearby hill town of 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 interesting corners to paint. I chose this doorway since I loved the texture of the stone walls, the potted plants around it, and the soft light raking across it.

That afternoon we gathered back at the villa for a slide show from our photographers of the trip and to see the paintings we completed, accompanied by a little wine and Italian treats. That night we enjoyed a beautiful Terrace view over dinner with amazing food and new friends. A perfect end to a perfect week! We were sad to see the week end.

If you'd like to join us in Tuscany for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 5th-13th, please let me know. The final registration deadline of Jan. 25th is quickly approaching! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

***

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

NikiGulley.com

Last Day, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

12" x 9" textured oil by Niki Gulley

Day 6, Pienza:  TUSCANY ART TREK

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

On the last day of our Tuscany Art 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 interesting corners to paint. I chose this doorway since I loved the texture of the stone walls, the potted plants around it, and the soft light raking across it.

That afternoon we gathered back at the villa for a slide from our photographers of the trip and to see the paintings we completed, accompanied by a little wine and Italian treats. That night we enjoyed a beautiful Terrace view over dinner with amazing food and new friends. A perfect end to a perfect week! We were sad to see the night end.

If you'd like to join us in Tuscany for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 5th-13th, please let me know. Early registration deadline of Nov. 16th for a $600 savings is quickly approaching! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 22-Mar. 1, 2014

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

These workshops are filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

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

***

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and plein air oil paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

Tuscany Art Trek - Registration deadline this Saturday

“Under the Tuscan Sun” ©2013 Niki Gulley

Sold • pastel 24” x 36”

“Under the Tuscan Sun,” was inspired from one of the many gorgeous vistas near the villa our group stays in while my husband and professional photographer, Scott Williams, and I are teaching our Tuscany Workshop. Between the vibrant sunset, the gently rolling hills, and this typical stone farm house, I just had to paint this ideal location.

Having fallen in love with Tuscany, we now can't wait to share the Italian experience with other painters, photographers and anyone interested in traveling, so we are leading our 5th Tuscany Art Trek this September.  If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Italy, join me and Scott Williams for our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop to Tuscany from Sept. 6th - Sept. 14th.

Our unique Art Treks afford you the option to choose which aspects interest you, whether it is painting, photography, both or neither, thereby giving you an opportunity to make the most of your experience. Our trips are designed to hone your skills and expand your creativity, all while you further your artistic voice and immerse yourself in the region's culture and lifestyle. Non-participating partners are encouraged to join us for a reduced price, and we'll help with travel arrangements, tours, transportation, etc. while we're painting and photographing.

ArtTreks – Tuscany, Italy

Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop

Sept. 6-14, 2013

Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Early Registration Deadline for a $500 Savings: Jan. 11

Final Registration Deadline: March 1

Add on a second Art Trek back to back with the Tuscany trip, and join us in Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy for a 2 week Italian adventure!

For more details, E-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

This workshop is filling up quickly, so we encourage you to register soon!

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NikiGulley.com

Art Treks - Paris with Niki Gulley & Scott Williams

“Flowing Radiance” ©2011 Niki Gulley

12” x 24” textured oil on wrap around canvas

My initial study for a 48" x 90" triptych, but I love how this small oil turned out, too! Inspired by Monet's Gardens in Giverny, France, I wanted to paint a contemporary rendition of his lily pond, which would be flowing with color, light, warmth and energy.

I'll have this textured oil painting in addition to many more at the Cottonwood Art Festival, CottonwoodArtFestival.com, next weekend, Oct. 1st & 2nd from 9am - 6pm in Richardson, TX. Please stop by my booth to see them in person.

Or, if you would like to join us in May for our next ArtTrek to Paris, France, and paint Monet's Gardens in person, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420, which goes into detail about our upcoming Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshops. Early registration deadline for a $500 savings is quickly approaching!

***

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

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

Discover Plein Air Art,Plein Air Paintings, Contemporary Seascape Paintings, Contemporary Landscape Paintings, Plein Air Oil Paintings,Watercolor Paintings and Acrylic Paintings as International Artists post daily their newest artwork. Sign up to receive free our daily posts of Plein Air Art in your email. Fill in your email in the left column where it says FOLLOW US!.

Monet's Gardens oil painting by Niki Gulley

“Monet’s Passion” ©2011 Niki Gulley

12” x 24” textured oil on wrap around canvas

Early morning light washes over Monet’s water lily garden in his beloved home at Giverny, France. Quiet, tranquil colors rim the pond, reflected in the glassy surface, waters casting back sky and foliage in a radiance of hues. Iris leaves front the pond, lilies break its surface, willows brush the water’s edge – everything just as Monet would have seen, now in a fresh, contemporary new work of art.

I'll have this textured oil painting in addition to many more at the Cottonwood Art Festival, CottonwoodArtFestival.com, next weekend, Oct. 1st & 2nd from 9am - 6pm in Richardson, TX. Please stop by my booth to see them in person.

Or, if you would like to join us in May for our next ArtTrek to Paris, France, and paint Monet's Gardens in person, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420, which goes into detail about our upcoming Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshops. Early registration deadline for a $500 savings is quickly approaching!

***

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

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

Discover Plein Air Art,Plein Air Paintings, Contemporary Seascape Paintings, Contemporary Landscape Paintings, Plein Air Oil Paintings,Watercolor Paintings and Acrylic Paintings as International Artists post daily their newest artwork. Sign up to receive free our daily posts of Plein Air Art in your email. Fill in your email in the left column where it says FOLLOW US!.

"Culmination" - Triptych painting by Niki Gulley

"Culmination" ©2011 Niki Gulley

Three 48" x 30" canvases to form a 48" x 90" triptych

textured mixed media on wrap around canvas

I decided it would be a fun challenge to create an extremely large painting, and I wanted the final piece to be very uplifting, colorful and full of energy. Opting for warm colors and working with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives, I chose this water lily pond reference from our visit to my Monet's Gardens in Giverny, France. The grounds were breathtaking and I could actually see his paintings come to life. I was drawn to the energetic flow and yet calming serenity in this view, and I positioned the water lilies and my paint strokes in a circular pattern to add to that mood. The morning light peeking through the distant foliage added to a sense of mystery and promise that I wanted to capture in paint and share with you that feeling of hope.

I'll have this contemporary landscape painting in addition to more of my large scale oil paintings at the Cottonwood Art Festival, CottonwoodArtFestival.com, next weekend, Oct. 1st & 2nd from 9am - 6pm in Richardson, TX. Please stop by my booth to see them in person.

Or, if you would like to join us in May for our next ArtTrek to Paris, France, and paint Monet's Gardens in person, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=1420, which goes into detail about our upcoming Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshops.

***

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

Visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

Discover Plein Air Art,Plein Air Paintings, Contemporary Seascape Paintings, Contemporary Landscape Paintings, Plein Air Oil Paintings,Watercolor Paintings and Acrylic Paintings as International Artists post daily their newest artwork. Sign up to receive free our daily posts of Plein Air Art in your email. Fill in your email in the left column where it says FOLLOW US!.

Tuscany Plein Air Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley

"Sienna Passageway" ©2011 Niki Gulley

SOLD • pastel • 10" x 8"

Just sold! I painted this pastel of Sienna, Italy on our last Plein Air Painting & Photography workshop that my husband and I taught in Tuscany. Sienna is such an interesting town, with the narrow cobble streets forming a labyrinth of passageways, the energy of the people in the central square, the ancient stone architecture and unusual adornments, and the picturesque views from the rambling hillsides. We just love it!

From our last Tuscany workshop, one of my students composing her painting of one of the picturesque Tuscan hill towns.

If you'd like to join us for our next Tuscany Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop, Sept. 2 -10, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information, or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13. With limited space and a final registration deadline of April 9th quickly approaching, let me know if you'd like to join us!

NikiGulley.com

Discover Plein Air Art,Plein Air Paintings, Contemporary Seascape Paintings, Contemporary Landscape Paintings, Plein Air Oil Paintings,Watercolor Paintings and Acrylic Paintings as International Artists post daily their newest artwork. Sign up to receive free our daily posts of Plein Air Art in your email. Fill in your email in the left column where it says FOLLOW US!.

ONE WEEK TO REGISTER for September's Tuscany Workshop with Niki Gulley

"Sienna Passageway" ©2011 Niki Gulley

pastel • 10" x 8"

From our last Plein Air Painting & Photography workshop in Tuscany. Sienna is such an interesting town, with the narrow cobble streets forming a labyrinth of passageways, the energy of the people in the central square, the ancient stone architecture and unusual adornments, and the picturesque views from the rambling hillsides. We just love it!

From our last Tuscany workshop, one of my students painting with pastels.

If you'd like to join us for our next Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop, Sept. 2 -10, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information, or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13. The early deadline for a $400 discount is just a week away!

NikiGulley.com

Discover Plein Air Art,Plein Air Paintings, Contemporary Seascape Paintings, Contemporary Landscape Paintings, Plein Air Oil Paintings,Watercolor Paintings and Acrylic Paintings as International Artists post daily their newest artwork. Sign up to receive free our daily posts of Plein Air Art in your email. Fill in your email in the left column where it says FOLLOW US!.

"Villa View," Tuscany Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley

“Villa View,” Tuscany ©2011 Niki Gulley

Oil on canvas • 8” x 24”

When we teach our workshop in Tuscany, the villa and its views are so beautiful that I just had to paint it. The quintessential stone farmhouse is surrounded by these unobstructed amazing 360 degree views of the surrounding valleys and hill towns. I decided to go with a panorama format because it seemed the only way to communicate the expansive landscape around the property, and even that doesn’t begin to do it justice. I chose to work with extremely thick oil paint and palette knives since you don’t see Tuscany painted that way very often and it’s so much fun to play with all of that paint.

Another view from the villa by one of my students. Very talented!

If you'd like to join us for our next Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop, Sept. 2 -10, e-mail Niki Gulley for more information, or visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13. The early deadline for a $400 discount is just a week away!

NikiGulley.com

Discover Plein Air Art,Plein Air Paintings, Contemporary Seascape Paintings, Contemporary Landscape Paintings, Plein Air Oil Paintings,Watercolor Paintings and Acrylic Paintings as International Artists post daily their newest artwork. Sign up to receive free our daily posts of Plein Air Art in your email. Fill in your email in the left column where it says FOLLOW US!.

Tuscany Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley & Scott Williams

"Amapola" ©2011 Niki Gulley

SOLD • pastel 11" x 14"

This pastel was inspired by the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

If you'd like to paint in Tuscany, too, join us for our next Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop, Sept. 2 -10. See more details at nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 or e-mail Niki Gulley for more information. We'd love to have you along for this amazing adventure!

NikiGulley.com

Blind-Squirrel.org

Discover Plein Air Art,Plein Air Paintings, Contemporary Seascape Paintings, Contemporary Landscape Paintings, Plein Air Oil Paintings,Watercolor Paintings and Acrylic Paintings as International Artists post daily their newest artwork. Sign up to receive free our daily posts of Plein Air Art in your email. Fill in your email in the left column where it says FOLLOW US!.

Tuscan Vineyards pastel by Niki Gulley

Tuscany Vineyards by Niki Gulley

SOLD • pastel 30" x 15"

This pastel was inspired by the beautiful Tuscan countryside. If you'd like to join us in Tuscany for our next Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop, see more details at nikigulley.com/?page_id=13 or e-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

To see more of my landscape paintings, visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

Or, for more information on my paintings from Italy, e-mail Niki Gulley.

Discover Plein Air Art,Plein Air Paintings, Contemporary Seascape Paintings, Contemporary Landscape Paintings, Plein Air Oil Paintings,Watercolor Paintings and Acrylic Paintings as International Artists post daily their newest artwork. Sign up to receive free our daily posts of Plein Air Art in your email. Fill in your email in the left column where it says FOLLOW US!.

Plein Air Painting Workshop in Tuscany w/ Niki Gulley

“Under the Tuscan Sun” ©2011 Niki Gulley

Sold • pastel 24” x 36”

Just sold to one of my Dallas collectors, “Under the Tuscan Sun,” was inspired from one of the many gorgeous vistas near the villa our group stays in while my husband and professional photographer, Scott Williams, and I are teaching our Tuscany Workshop. Between the vibrant sunset, the gently rolling hills, and this typical stone farm house, I just had to paint this ideal location.

Many folks have been asking, so we finally have our dates for our next “Plein-Air Painting & Photography Workshop in Tuscany”, Sept. 2 – 10. This is the perfect time of year for Tuscany and with an extra day added this year, how can you pass it up?!? There is a limit of 10 people and this is the trip that filled up in two weeks last year, so don’t wait too long to sign up in case that happens again. See more details about the trip at nikigulley.com/?page_id=13. Contact me for sign up forms if you are interested in going or if you have any questions.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Or, visit my website at NikiGulley.com to see more of more of my paintings and pastels.

For more on Scott Williams photography, go to blind-squirrel.org.

Discover Plein Air Art,Plein Air Paintings, Contemporary Seascape Paintings, Contemporary Landscape Paintings, Plein Air Oil Paintings,Watercolor Paintings and Acrylic Paintings as International Artists post daily their newest artwork. Sign up to receive free our daily posts of Plein Air Art in your email. Fill in your email in the left column where it says FOLLOW US!.

Art & Photography Workshop in Athens & Santorini, Greece

“Doorway to Possibilities,” Santorini, Greece • by Niki Gulley

SOLD • 20” x 10” pastel

The view from our hotel that we’ll be staying at in May for our Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop is amazing! In this pastel, I wanted to capture not only the gorgeous Aegean below and the white-washed architecture with brilliant blue accents, but also I wanted to show off their unique doorways that also frame the beautiful landscape below.

If you’d also like to paint in Greece, join me and my husband / travel photographer, Scott Williams, in our Plein Air Painting & Photography Workshop this May.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information or go to nikigulley.com/?page_id=13.

The Jan. 15th final registration deadline is

quickly approaching and we have room for just a few more, so sign up today!

NikiGulley.com

Discover Plein Air Art,Plein Air Paintings, Contemporary Seascape Paintings, Contemporary Landscape Paintings, Plein Air Oil Paintings,Watercolor Paintings and Acrylic Paintings as International Artists post daily their newest artwork. Sign up to receive free our daily posts of Plein Air Art in your email. Fill in your email in the left column where it says FOLLOW US!.