New "Secret Garden" Provence Painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Secret Garden," Provence ©2017 Niki Gulley

12" x 9" oil painting

I painted this peaceful courtyard while my husband and I were leading our Plein Air Painting and Photography Art Treks Workshop in Provence, France. I loved the peach archway framing the picture window in the distance, creating a frame within a frame. The complimentary colors juxtaposed against each other created such an exciting contrast. While the light was a little tricky to capture going in and out of the clouds, I tried to convey its soft illumination on the walkway and distant wall. Painted with palette knife, this painting is loaded with texture and color, and I hope you are transported to this picturesque spot.

Photo by Sheri Jones

If you'd like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops, please let me know. We are taking reservations now, so please let us know if you would like to join us. This year's trip filled up in less than a week! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to ArtTreks.org.

For more information on "Secret Garden", please contact my gallery, the Good Art Company Gallery, in Fredericksburg, goodartcompany.com/gac/.

Or, visit NikiGulley.com (www.NikiGulley.com) to see more of my impressionistic plein air oil paintings.

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

"Secret Garden," Provence ©2014 Niki Gulley

12" x 9" oil painting

Day 2, Provence Art Trek:

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

On the second day of our Provence Art Trek, half of our group stayed and painted at our picturesque hotel, while the other half visited the Montmajour Abbey built starting in the tenth century A.D. While the light was a little tricky to capture going in and out of the clouds, we thoroughly enjoyed the peaceful morning painting in a quintessential Provence courtyard.

Photo by Sheri Jones

That afternoon, we visited the ancient Roman city of Arles, marveling at its in tact amphitheater from 90 AD, triumphal arch, and ancient theater, while retracing the footsteps of Van Gogh and seeing his colorful vision of rather ordinary painting locations.

That night, we feasted on mussels, sea bream, various meat dishes and mouth-watering pastries at an award-winning restaurant. Bon Appetit!

If you'd like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. We are taking reservations for next year's trip to Provence, June 25th - July 3rd, so please let us know if you would like to join us. This year's trip filled up in less than a week! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks 

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014 • Sept. 2015 

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014 • Sept. 2015 

New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014 

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015 

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015 

The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015

 Provence, France – June 25 - July 3, 2014

Please visit NikiGulley.com (www.NikiGulley.com) to see more of my impressionistic plein air oil paintings.

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

Day 1, Provence Art Trek:

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

On the first day of our Provence Art Trek, we headed to our picturesque hotel outside of Arles, unpacked, relaxed and went into town for our first wine tasting of the trip. Sampling some tasty local vintages, we walked nearby to a Michelin-rated restaurant for dinner, which was straight out of an impressionist painting (see below)!

Our meal was out of this world, too, with incredibly creative twists on classic French cuisine. Everyone enjoyed the food, wine, company and a perfect evening outside. A great way to start the trip!

If you'd like more information or a brochure on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshops listed below, please let me know. We are taking reservations for next year's trip to Provence, June 25th - July 3rd, so please let us know if you would like to join us. This year's trip filled up in less than a week! For more details, e-mail Niki Gulley or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks 

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014 • Sept. 2015 

Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy – Sept. 12-21, 2014 • Sept. 2015 

New Orleans, LA – Oct. 22-26, 2014 

Venice, Italy – Carnivalé – Feb. 7-14, 2015 

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 7-16, 2015 

The French Riviera – June 16-25, 2015

 Provence, France – June 25 - July 3, 2014

Please visit NikiGulley.com (www.NikiGulley.com) to see more of my impressionistic plein air oil paintings.