"Journey in Time" Santa Fe Palette Knife Painting by Niki Gulley

"Journey in Time," Santa Fe, NM ©2016 Niki Gulley

12" x 24" textured oil painting

On the final day of our Santa Fe Art Trek, we headed to this quiet dead end road to paint the church at Canyoncito. The only traffic we saw all morning was one car and 2 bicyclists, which allowed us to really concentrate on the scene. The church is so charming that I decided to paint it in the setting around it to add to that idyllic feel. I loved how the brilliant white of the stucco and the red roof made the church stand out against all of the greenery and blue sky. Choosing the panorama format helps to set the scene and adding long shadows from the left, leads your eye into the composition and to the focal point.

Painting at Canyoncito.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops.

For more information on Dallas art classes, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more details about this New Mexico painting.

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

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

7" x 5" oil painting by Niki Gulley

On the last day of our Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop in Greece, some folks shopped, some relaxed by the pool, others continued photographing. I couldn't miss one last opportunity to paint our gorgeous Santorini view from our hotel balcony. Everyone had a lovely, rejuvenating afternoon! 

Later that day we all gathered to share what we had painted and photographed during the trip, and sample some of the local wines and cheeses while we discussed the art. To cap off the evening, we treated ourselves to a delicious seafood dinner with another gorgeous view of the ocean, catching up with new friends and savoring our last night. A perfect ending to a perfect trip!

Dinner with an amazing view on our last night.

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.

New Orleans Garden District Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

"Oak Beauties," New Orleans  ©2015 Niki Gulley

12" x 9" palette knife oil painting

On our plein air painting and photography workshop my husband and I taught in New Orleans this fall, we rode the trolley to the Garden District and set out to capture the beautiful architecture so distinctive of the area. I was attracted to this grand pink house, and in particular I loved the huge old oak tree framing it. The dappled light hitting the trunk was so striking that I decided to accentuate that in my painting with a multitude of colors and values while making the background soft to keep the composition from becoming too cluttered. The sheer size and age of the trees in New Orleans is incredible, which I set out to show juxtaposing the massive oak against the smaller two-story homes in the distance. Created with palette knife and a lot of oil paint, this canvas is loaded with texture and uplifting colors so that you feel the joy and energy of hanging out in New Orleans.

"Oak Beauties" along with several of my new palette knife paintings will be featured in my One Woman Show, hosted at the Good Art Company Gallery in Fredericksburg, TX. If interested in more information on pricing or purchasing this palette knife New Orleans painting, please contact The Good Art Company.

The Good Art Company Gallery

Niki Gulley - One Woman Show

Opening Reception / Meet the Artist - April 3rd, 5pm - 9pm

Show continuing through April

218 West Main St.

Fredericksburg, TX

goodartcompany.com/gac/

For more information on upcoming Plein-Air Painting and Photography Art Treks workshops, please visit http://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.

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

E-mail - Niki Gulley

Painting Jackson Square with Niki Gulley, New Orleans Art Trek 2014

SOLD •  5" x 7" palette knife oil painting  ©2014 Niki Gulley

New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 2: Jackson Square

On the second day of our New Orleans Art Trek, we set up our easels near Jackson Square to capture the architecture and energy of the city while the photographers went on to visit the downtown streets and infamous cemeteries. Some of my painters chose to record the whole street scene, while others focused in on interesting architectural details. I liked this tangled oak tree branch framing the coral wrought iron French Revival building behind it. Again, we couldn't have asked for a more perfect day! On the way to our second painting location, we fueled up on Po Boy sandwiches and refreshments.

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 

Spaces are filling up quickly, so don't wait!

Athens and Santorini, Greece - May 8-16, 2015

The French Riviera - June 18-26, 2015

Provence, France - June 25-July 3, 2015

Tuscany, Italy - Sept. 4-12, 2015

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.

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E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

  7" x 5" palette knife oil painting  ©2014 Niki Gulley

New Orleans Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 1: Fabourg Marigny

Later that afternoon, the light had changed so much on our morning subjects, that some of us had to switch gears and look for a different idea. I loved this tangled oak tree and with the golden light coming on, I set to capturing its vibrant colors before the glow was gone. That evening we went out for a delicious Creole dinner of oysters, jambalaya, shrimp and grits, and other New Orleans favorites while swapping stories from the day and getting to know each other better.

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If you're interested in joining us on one of upcoming Art Treks, please let us know. 

Spaces are filling up quickly, so don't wait!

Athens and Santorini, Greece - May 8-16, 2015

The French Riviera - June 18-26, 2015

Provence, France - June 25-July 3, 2015

Tuscany, Italy - Sept. 4-12, 2015

For more information on upcoming Art Treks, please visit http://www.nikigulley.com/artreks.

***

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions.

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

Painting the Back Canals of Venice with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Venice Art Trek, Day 3, Afternoon Location: Back Canals

7" x 5" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

After pizza fortifications for lunch, we set up our easels on a back canal near our hotel while the photographers went off in search of more costumes and scenery to photograph. The architecture in Venice is fascinating and in every direction there is so much ornate detail, that I wanted to capture all of the unusual elements in this one little doorway.

For dinner that night, we went to a local recommendation with amazing seafood pasta. Yum!

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!

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www.NikiGulley.com

Lake Como Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" textured oil painting by Niki Gulley

Day 7, Lake Como - Varenna and Como Town
 CINQUE TERRE / LAKE COMO ART TREK

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

On the last day of our Cinque Terre / Lake Como plein air painting and photography workshop, we broke into two groups. Most of the photographers chose to visit the largest town on the lake, Como, while us painters and a couple of others decided to stay right in Varenna and soak up that view and the peacefulness of town one last day. Since the scenery from our hotel was so incredible, we set up our easels right there and either painted the colorful town below or the misty mountains and lake in the distance.

If you'd like to join us in Cinque Terre / Lake Como for our next Plein Air Painting and Photography Workshop Sept. 12th-21st, please let me know.  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

Workshops fill up fast, so don't wait to register!

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

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

Painting in Montepulciano with Niki Gulley

"Morning Overlook," Montepulciano
9" x 12" oil by Niki Gulley

 TUSCANY ART TREK

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

During our Tuscany Art Trek, we visit the picturesque hill town of Montepulciano, known for its delicious red wines. We set up at this beautiful scenic overlook to paint the valley below. Narrowing down a subject to paint is challenging since the whole scene is amazing, but impossible to capture all of it on our small travel canvases. An amazing morning!

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!

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

To see more of my Italy and European paintings, please visit my website at NikiGulley.com.

Deadline for Niki Gulley's "Coloring Outside the Lines" Workshop

"Room with a View," Tuscany ©2012 Niki Gulley

10" x 30" textured oil painting of our villa in Tuscany

Last night - Tuscany Art Trek

On the last evening of our Tuscany Art Trek, we gathered for show and tell (which everyone prefers calling it over a critique) with some wine and treats that we'd picked out throughout the week. It was so much fun seeing the spiral "stairway of art" grow each day as my student's added their completed paintings to the display, and amazing to watch the progression in each's work as they got more confident with their paint and letting their individual voices out. Scott assembled a slide show for each of the photography student's top shots, and we thoroughly enjoyed getting to see Tuscany through each photographer's unique perspective. It's always fascinating to me how two artists (or in this case 9) can stand in the same place, and capture something completely different. 

We ended the night with one last delicious Italian meal, complete with truffles, bruschetta, homemade pastas and vin santo for dessert, enjoying the company of new friends. A perfect end to the trip!

My student's paintings from the week on the spiral stairway of art.

If you'd like to join us for next year's Art Trek to Venice in February, Greece in May, Tuscany in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como in September, please visit NikiGulley.com/Artreks for more information. Workshops fill up quickly, so please let us know if you are interested. Registration deadlines for some of the trips are less than a month away!

If you'd like to learn how to paint with more color and freedom, please join me for my upcoming workshop, "Coloring Outside the Lines," in Fredericksburg, TX, Nov. 2-4. Registration deadline is Oct. 15th. For details, visit nikigulley.com/art-classes.

If you have questions about the Art Treks workshops or are interested in purchasing any of my plein air paintings, please e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

NikiGulley.com

Niki Gulley at Cottonwood Art Festival this Weekend

"Lemon Tree" Tuscany ©2012 Niki Gulley

12" x 9" textured oil painting

Day 4 - Tuscany Art Trek

On Day 4 of our Tuscany painting and photography workshop, we decide to take it easy after a busy day in Siena the day before and paint again at the villa. It was a gorgeous morning with bright puffy clouds and soft golden sunlight hitting the back of our villa. So while we set up our easels just a few feet away from one another, each painter picked a different subject. From the highly textured stone farm house, to this lemon tree that was so lush and tall that I chose for my painting, to a random bed that was on the property, to the terra cotta steps and quintessential Tuscan architectural details, to the ancient well and delicate geraniums, each student's paintings turned out beautifully. After a peaceful morning of painting and photographing, we all reconvened on the patio of the villa for another delicious lunch of locally grown fruits, meats, cheeses and Vino Nobile.

If you'd like to see "Lemon Tree" and more of my travel plein-air paintings, please stop by my booth at the Cottonwood Art Festival this weekend, Oct. 6th and 7th, from 10am - 6pm. Visit cottonwoodartfestival.com for details.

Enjoying a delicious lunch at our villa, overlooking the surrounding rolling hills and distant Tuscan hill towns.

If you'd like to join us for next year's Art Trek to Venice in February, Greece in May, Tuscany in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como in September, please visit NikiGulley.com/Artreks for more information. Workshops fill up quickly, so please let us know if you are interested. The early deadline and to receive a $500 savings for the Venice workshop is this Saturday!

If you have questions about the Art Treks workshops or are interested in purchasing any of my plein air paintings, please e-mail me at Niki@NikiGulley.com.

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US Classes and Workshops - nikigulley.com/art-classes.

Travel Art Treks and Plein Air Workshops - nikigulley.com/artreks/

Available Paintings - NikiGulley.com

Day 5, Santa Fe Art Trek with Niki Gulley

SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  

Day 5, morning location, Canyoncito

12" x 24" textured oil by Niki Gulley

On the final day of our Santa Fe Art Trek, we headed to this quiet dead end road to paint the church at Canyoncito. The only traffic we saw all morning was one car and 2 bicyclists, which allowed us to really concentrate on the scene. The church is so charming that I decided to paint it in the setting around it to add to that idyllic feel. I loved how the brilliant white of the stucco and the red roof made the church stand out against all of the greenery and blue sky.

Niki Gulley painting along side Terri at Canyoncito.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

For new classes and workshops in Texas this fall, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

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NikiGulley.com

Painting Rancho de Taos with Niki Gulley

SANTA FE ART TREK:  Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams  

Day 3, morning location - Rancho de Taos

10" x 8" textured oil by Niki Gulley

On day 3 of our Santa Fe Art Trek, we headed north to paint Rancho de Taos, made famous in paint by Georgia O'Keefe and in film by Ansel Adams. Today each of my students saw the adobe structure differently, and each chose a unique perspective of the building. Spending most of the morning helping everyone with perspective and getting accurate angles on this tricky pueblo, I had just enough time to do a quick  palette knife sketch of a close up of the church. Choosing vibrant golds and reds for the bell tower set against a gorgeous cobalt sky, really made the colors sing!

Above: Barbara Moore working in pastels at Rancho de Taos, with faithful companion, Shiloh.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

For new classes and workshops in Texas this fall, see nikigulley.com/art-classes.

***

NikiGulley.com

Santa Fe Plein Air Painting Workshop with Niki Gulley

SANTA FE ART TREK:  
Day 1, afternoon location - Echo Canyon
12" x 9" textured oil by Niki Gulley

On Day 1 of our Santa Fe Art Trek, we headed north to Echo Canyon, a natural stone amphitheater with beautiful rugged surroundings. After painting the entire landscape in the morning, we decided to focus in on a vignette in the afternoon and isolate our focal point. Some of my students chose trees, others rocks, and I picked this lone, persistent conifer growing out the top of the sandstone formation. I liked the dramatic shadows, the texture in the rocks, and the strong will of this one scraggly pine tree. The sky was amazing with dynamic clouds sweeping into our view from distant showers, and I had to capture some of that movement and energy in this scene, too. Luckily the storms stayed away and we had a lovely afternoon!

Above: Niki Gulley helping one of her students with her pastels.

Visit nikigulley.com/artreks/ for upcoming Art Treks and Workshops or 

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

See NikiGulley.com to see more of her contemporary landscape paintings.

Plein Air Painting in Italy with Niki Gulley

"Chianti Trail" ©2012 Niki Gulley

SOLD • 30" x 15" pastel

I was commissioned to paint this vineyard and rolling hills backdrop based on my collectors' fond memories of Tuscany. So, using some of my plein air sketches, photographs, and personal memories from our trips to the area, I created this pastel. Full of color and movement, I arranged the planted grapevines to lead your eye back to the Tuscan villa and then to the beautiful countryside beyond.

If you would like to come along on one of our upcoming Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshops to Tuscany, Italy in September or Cinque Terre / Lake Como, Italy in September visit nikigulley.com/artreks for more information. We'd love to have you join us!

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E-mail Niki Gulley for more information.

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

Plein Air Painting at the Dallas Arboretum with Niki Gulley

Purple Clematis, 8" x 10" oil painting by Niki Gulley

Morning Location: the Dallas Arboretum, Poetry Garden

On the first morning of the Plein Air Painting Workshop I taught at the Dallas Arboretum last weekend, we found one of the most quiet locations we could on such a busy, beautiful morning at the Arboretum. While a little chilly at the start of the day, it quickly warmed up to a beautiful 68 degrees. The gardens were in full fall bloom, and it was difficult to narrow down just a single subject to paint, but each painter picked out something that spoke to them – from a single flower, to a sun-lit path framed by trees, to the architecture in the private garden or a quiet bench framed by flowering pots.

So that my students wouldn't miss out on the morning light, I started a quick demo that I had sketched out the previous day of these clematis. To save time, I had also laid out my palette colors, working with water-soluble oil paints, the night before and stored them in the freezer to keep them from drying out. Pre-mixing some of the purple values in the flowers, the greens of the leaves, and the stucco colors in the background so that I could just paint, and not have to stop and mix colors in the process, I quickly laid in a thin coat of the stucco wall and shadow colors so they could be drying.

Then, I established the darks in the flowers with brush and came on top with lighter colors and palette knife to give the flowers dimension. Normally I would work around the whole canvas, but with plein air painting, your time is so short between when your light changes, that at this stage, I went ahead and finish out the details in my focal point, the two main clematis. Lastly, if there is time left, I finish up the painting, in this case adding leaves, vines, and thick painter to the stucco wall to suggest the sun reflecting off its surface. At this point, it's best to stop and not overwork the spontaneity of the sketch - you can always go back and tweak things back in the studio later.

Check out some of my students' morning paintings. Even though we were set up within 20 feet of each other, I love how each painter sees things differently.

If you'd like more information about my upcoming workshops in the US and Europe, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13.

Or, to see more of my local Dallas and travel paintings, please stop by the Bath House Cultural Center, for my last show of the year, Nov. 18th - 20th. dallasculture.org/bathhouseculturecenter/index.asp

E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com.

NikiGulley.com

White Rock Lake oil painting by Niki Gulley

9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley at White Rock Lake

I painted this small oil painting at White Rock Lake earlier this week, getting ready for my Plein Air Workshop this weekend. It was a perfect morning – blue skies and a gentle breeze, with an ideal temperature. I was attracted to the multi-colored sailboats and the interesting pattern they formed. With so many boats, I sketched out my composition and then I had to paint very quickly before the light changed – a fun challenge and an enjoyable, peaceful morning.

For more information on this weekend's painting workshop, visit nikigulley.com/?page_id=13.

E-mail Niki@NikiGulley.com. 

To see more of my contemporary landscape paintings and local Dallas scenes, visit my website at NikiGulley.com.