Painting and Photographing Lavender Fields in Provence with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 5, Provence Art Trek: Lavender Fields

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
9" x 12" textured oil painting

On the fourth day of our Provence Art Trek, we set up our easels in this gorgeous lavender field. The color and aroma explosion were out of this world – a painter's and photographer's dream come true. Words can't even describe how special that moment was!

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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

Day 3, Provence Art Trek: Les Baux / Chateauneuf

Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop 
with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams
7" x 5" textured oil painting

On the second day of our Provence Art Trek, we visited the picturesque town of Les Baux, perched atop its rocky outcropping with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside below. Some folks visited the castle, galleries and shops while the painters set up in this quiet plaza capturing the unique stone residences, medieval cathedral or picturesque courtyard.

In the afternoon we went to one of the most renowned wine towns in the world and sampled some amazing Chateaunef du Pape wines.

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Visiting Arles with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams, Provence Art Trek 2015

Day 1, Afternoon Location: Arles 

Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

In the 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. Last stop on our Van Gogh tour, we chose to paint at the asylum where he stayed, creating our own versions of the lovely courtyard garden.

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

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Provence Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 1, Provence Art Trek

12" x 9" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the first night of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in southern France, we arrived at our B and B and went into town that evening for a wine tasting and amazing dinner at a Michelin-star restaurant. The food was out of this world, the weather was perfect for dining outside, and our new group was great company!

The next morning, our painters stayed at our b and b and painted right there since the grounds were so beautiful.The light raking across the balcony and shutters was so dramatic, and I loved how the gnarly trees framed the composition to make a window within a window. Meanwhile, the photographers visited a nearby 11th century Abbey and took some incredible photographs. We met up later that day and headed to the nearby town of Arles for lunch.

Wine tasting in Provence.

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Last Day - French Riviera Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 6, Villefranche - French Riviera Art Trek

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

On the last day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in the French Riviera, we all enjoyed a leisurely morning. The painters went down to the harbor and set out to capture the turquoise Mediterranean one last time, while the photographers shot around town and others visited the sights in Villefranche. Dining for lunch one last time along the waterfront, we gave everyone the afternoon to swim, shop or relax. 

We gathered later that day to view a slide show of the photography students' work and to show the paintings we created for the week. It's always so much fun to see what everyone captured during the trip, with each student's perspective so unique! That night we dined on a delicious dinner, sad that the trip was ending but glad that we got to enjoy it with new friends.

Dining near the waterfront in Villefranche.

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

Day 4, French Riviera Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 4, Renoir's House and St. Paul de Vence - French Riviera Art Trek

7" x 5" textured oil by Niki Gulley

On the fourth morning of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop that my husband, Scott Williams, and I led in the French Riviera we visited Renoir's house along the coast. Seeing his studio and garden, along with some of his lesser known impressionist paintings was truly a thrill!

Next, we headed north to the Medieval town of St. Paul de Vence, where some of us took a fascinating wine tasting class while others explored and shopped. That afternoon the painters met up and we each chose a different subject. Some chose to paint the rolling hills and valley below, while I was intrigued by this balcony being overrun by Bougainvillea. The magenta color explosion was out of this world, and I just had to capture it!

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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

Day 1, Greece Art Trek:  The Acropolis, Athens
9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the first full day of our plein air painting and photography workshop in Greece, we visited the Acropolis in Athens along with several other ancient sites. It was truly awe inspiring to see a part of history from the fifth century BC and to imagine what life must have been like as democracy was beginning. In the afternoon, the painters set up their easels on top of the beautiful balcony at our hotel to paint this beautiful view of the Parthenon while the photographers continued touring the city. In this oil painting, I wanted to capture a sense of scale with the Acropolis, and suggest how it rises above the city on this massive mound, towering majestically over the city, kissed by the clouds above.

Breakfast from the terrace of our hotel. What a view of the Acropolis!

Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Spain and the following year we will be headed to Tuscany, England and Ireland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trip! Details will be coming soon on nikigulley.com/artreks.

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my contemporary impressionist oil paintings.

Or, if you are in the Madison, WI area this weekend, I will be exhibiting at Art Fair on the Square.

Art Fair on the Square 
Saturday, July 11 • 9am – 6pm
Sunday, July 12 • 10am – 5pm
Madison, WI • Capital Square
mmoca.org/art-fair

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

"Hill Country Retreat" Texas Bluebonnet Painting by Niki Gulley

"Hill Country Retreat" ©2015 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured oil painting

I painted these Texas bluebonnets at a plein air painting workshop I was leading in Fredericksburg, TX. I loved the pop of red on the flag flying off this cabin's back porch in contrast to the vibrant cobalt bluebonnets. Working with palette knife and thick oil paint, this Texas landscape is loaded with texture, color and movement!

"Hill Country Retreat" and several of my contemporary impressionistic landscapes are also on display at the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact goodartcompany.com/gac/.

To see more of Gulley's palette knife landscape paintings please check out NikiGulley.com.

To find out more about upcoming Plein Air Painting Classes and Art Treks, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

For more information on my Texas bluebonnet and wildflower paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

"Spring's Rewards" New Poppy Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

"Spring’s Rewards" ©2015 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" textured mixed media on canvas 

Red headed poppies nod and wave, basking in summer sunshine, nestling amidst green pastures and soon to be harvested crops. It’s Provence: fertile, fruitful and filled with stunning vistas in every direction. I hope you, too, feel an uplifting sense of peacefulness and the beauty of the countryside looking into Spring’s Rewards.

"Spring's Rewards" and several of my contemporary impressionistic landscapes are also on display at the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. For more information, please contact http://www.goodartcompany.com/gac/.

To see more of my poppy and palette knife floral paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

Just Sold! "Purple Perspective" New Lavender Field painting by Niki Gulley

"Purple Perspective," Provence ©2014 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
pictured in espresso floater frame

This lavender painting was inspired from our trip to Provence last summer, when our timing was perfect and we caught both the lavender and poppies in full bloom! I loved how in this photo that I took, the lavender really draws your eye back into the distance and invites you to walk down the purple rows and enjoy the heavenly aromas. I also liked the contrast in color of the poppies planted at the start of the rows against the violet and how the crimson blooms break up the long vertical format of the canvas.

To see more of Gulley's palette knife landscape paintings, check out NikiGulley.com.

To find out more about upcoming Plein Air Painting Workshops and Art Treks, including a trip to Provence this summer and again in 2015, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

"Purple Perspective" New Lavender Field painting by Niki Gulley

"Purple Perspective," Provence ©2014 Niki Gulley

24" x 12" textured oil painting on wrap around canvas
pictured in espresso floater frame

This lavender painting was inspired from our trip to Provence last summer, when our timing was perfect and we caught both the lavender and poppies in full bloom! I loved how in this photo that I took, the lavender really draws your eye back into the distance and invites you to walk down the purple rows and enjoy the heavenly aromas. I also liked the contrast in color of the poppies planted at the start of the rows against the violet and how the crimson blooms break up the long vertical format of the canvas.

To see more of Gulley's palette knife landscape paintings, check out NikiGulley.com.

To find out more about upcoming Plein Air Painting Workshops and Art Treks, including a trip to Provence this summer and again in 2015, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

E-mail - Niki Gulley

Day 4, Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Venice Art Trek, Day 4, Doge's Palace and Painting the back canals

12" x 9" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

On our fourth day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop, we visited the Doge's Palace, in all of its glory and were awed by its impressive art collection by Italian masters. Taking the "Secret Tour" we learned about parts of the Palace that you can't normally see, including the prisons, the torture room and stories of Casanova.

That afternoon we chose another back canal to paint while the photographers covered off the beaten path parts of the island. I liked the way the sunlight reflected across the water's surface, and I really wanted to capture a gondola in the distance, but since they move so quickly that was no easy task! Luckily there was a steady stream of gondolas passing by our location late in the day. I found myself painting as quickly as I could while one came into my composition, and if I didn't capture it in time, fortunately another vessel would come into view shortly afterwards, and I was pleased with the results.

A delicious home-made Italian meal to end the day with new friends!

If you'd like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know. For more details, E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014 - wait list only

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

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

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 2015

French Riviera - June 2015

Provence, France - June 2015

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!

***

www.NikiGulley.com

Day 4, Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Venice Art Trek, Day 4, Doge's Palace and Painting the back canals

12" x 9" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

On our fourth day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop, we visited the Doge's Palace, in all of its glory and were awed by its impressive art collection by Italian masters. Taking the "Secret Tour" we learned about parts of the Palace that you can't normally see, including the prisons, the torture room and stories of Casanova.

That afternoon we chose another back canal to paint while the photographers covered off the beaten path parts of the island. I liked the way the sunlight reflected across the water's surface, and I really wanted to capture a gondola in the distance, but since they move so quickly that was no easy task! Luckily there was a steady stream of gondolas passing by our location late in the day. I found myself painting as quickly as I could while one came into my composition, and if I didn't capture it in time, fortunately another vessel would come into view shortly afterwards, and I was pleased with the results.

A delicious home-made Italian meal to end the day with new friends!

If you'd like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know. For more details, E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com or go to nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Art Treks

Paris, France – June 19-27, 2014

 Provence, France – June 26 – July 4, 2014 - wait list only

Tuscany, Italy – Sept. 5-13, 2014

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

Athens and Santorini, Greece – May 2015

French Riviera - June 2015

Provence, France - June 2015

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!

***

www.NikiGulley.com

"Hill Country Retreat" Texas Bluebonnet oil painting by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

"Hill Country Retreat" ©2014 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" textured oil painting

I painted these Texas bluebonnets at a plein air painting workshop I was leading in Fredericksburg, TX. I loved the pop of red on the flag flying off this cabin's back porch in contrast to the vibrant cobalt bluebonnets. Working with palette knife and thick oil paint, this Texas landscape is loaded with texture, color and movement!

For more information on my Texas bluebonnet and wildflower paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

To see more of Gulley's palette knife landscape paintings please check out NikiGulley.com.

To find out more about upcoming Plein Air Painting Classes and Art Treks, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

Upcoming Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Tuscany with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

"Standing Tall, Tuscany"©2014 Niki Gulley
10" x 8" textured oil painting 

On our last Tuscany Art Trek, we chose these perfectly planted cypress trees so characteristic of Tuscany for our subject that day. Set against a bright blue sky and peaceful sweeping clouds, the setting was so serene and uplifting. For dinner that night, we treated ourselves to the "truffle tasting menu," melted pecorino and honey, Florentine steak and a little vino nobile and vin santo to wash them down. Delicious food and great company with new friends!

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

"Autumn Morning," Tuscany Plein Air Painting by Niki Gulley

"Autumn Morning," Tuscany ©2014 Niki Gulley
9" x 12" textured oil painting

Created on our Tuscany Art Trek in September, I decided to paint this view from villa, since I'd been admiring it every day of the trip. It was a gorgeous morning with beautiful puffy white clouds that gave the landscape a beautiful soft filtered light. Working with palette knife, this Tuscan landscape is loaded with texture, color and movement!

For lunch that afternoon, we feasted on fresh local fruit and vegees, pecorinos, cured meats and a little wine and prosecco at the villa. Bon appetito!

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

New Plein Air Painting from the Dallas Arboretum by Niki Gulley

“Water Wall," Dallas Arboretum ©2013 Niki Gulley

9" x 12" Plein Air Oil Painting

I painted this oil of the "Water Wall" at the Dallas Arboretum a couple of weeks ago as part of my demonstration during my plein-air painting workshop. I loved the golden light hitting the stucco and the interesting shadows that were created from the trellis above. Working with a combination of brush and palette knife, the final painting is full of color and texture.

If you'd like to join me for one of our Plein Air Painting / Photography Art Trek Workshops in Europe, please let me know and I can send you a brochure. Upcoming trips include Carnival in Venice, Paris, Provence during lavender season, Tuscany and Cinque Terre/ Lake Como, Italy. For more details, visit nikigulley.com/artreks.

To see more of my contemporary impressionistic landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

For more information on my plein air paintings and workshops, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Day 4, Tuscany Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

10" x 8" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 4, afternoon:  TUSCANY ART TREK

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

After we were fortified from a delicious lunch, we headed to La Foce, a beautiful Italian villa and formal gardens set in the middle of the rolling Tuscan hills. The perfectly planted cypress are so unique to Tuscany that we chose them for our subject today set against a bright blue sky and peaceful sweeping clouds. For dinner that night, we treated ourselves to the "truffle tasting menu," melted pecorino and honey, Florentine steak and a little vino nobile and vin santo to wash them down. Delicious food and great company with new friends!

Our photographers getting into shooting one of the cypress lined roads in Tuscany!

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

9" x 12" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 4:  TUSCANY ART TREK

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

On the next day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we took it easy and painted right at the villa while the photographers and the rest of the group went exploring in Montalcino. I decided to paint this view from our breakfast table, since I'd been admiring it every day of the trip. It was a gorgeous morning with beautiful puffy white clouds that gave the landscape a beautiful soft filtered light. Working with palette knife, this rolling hills scene is loaded with texture, color and movement!

For lunch we feasted on fresh local fruit and vegees, pecorinos, cured meats and a little wine and prosecco at the villa. Bon appetito!

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 booth

at the Cottonwood Art Festival in Richardson, TX this weekend.

Cottonwood Art Festival

Sat. Oct. 5th • 10am – 7pm

Sun. Oct. 6th • 10am – 6pm

 Cottonwood Park at Beltline Rd. and Coit • Richardson, TX

cottonwoodartfestival.com

***

NikiGulley.com