Palette Knife Artist Niki Gulley Paints the Tuscan Countryside

  

"Afternoon Arrival" ©2023 Niki Gulley 

20"  x 10" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

Cypress trees, tile-roofed stone farmhouses and undulating hills filled with grapevines and olive trees, signal that you have landed in Tuscany! Filled with energetic, thick palette knife strokes and uplifting colors, "Afternoon Arrival," welcomes you to your new home away from home. 

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Next summer we will be leading a Foodie Trek to Spain and Tuscany, and an Art Trek to Iceland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! Details are available on ArtTreks.org.

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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my impressionistic palette knife paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary Italy and European paintings.

New "Cypress Serenade II" Art from the Tuscan Countryside by Niki Gulley

  

"Cypress Serenade II" ©2023 Niki Gulley 

20"  x 10" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

My husband and I lead a Foodie Trek to Tuscany almost every year, and I've always been attracted to this lone grouping of cypress trees. I love trying to capture it in different ways, and mother nature had her hand in me choosing this location today. You see, there was a strong possibility of rain and this is one of the few locations I've found in the entire Tuscan countryside with a covered area that could keep me and my painting dry in the case of that liquid sunshine arriving mid-stroke. Fortunately because of the weather, the clouds in the sky were voluminous, beautiful and full of drama. Poppies blooming in the foreground just added to the excitement and energy of the moment. And, luckily I was able to capture the majority of the scene before the storms hit!

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Next summer we will be leading a Foodie Trek to Spain and Tuscany, and an Art Trek to Iceland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! Details are available on ArtTreks.org.

***

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Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my impressionistic palette knife paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary Italy and European paintings.

New "Cypress Serenade" Art from the Tuscan Countryside by Niki Gulley

 

"Cypress Serenade" ©2023 Niki Gulley 

9" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel

I painted "Cypress Serenade" recently on location in Tuscany. I've always been attracted to this lone grouping of cypress trees and on this day the clouds in the sky were so fascinating. Hugging so close to the ground, soft and voluminous, acting as the perfect backdrop behind the cypress grove, I had to capture their drama before they disappeared. Wildflowers blooming in the foreground set the stage and I decided to have fun by repeating those colors throughout the scene, adding to the excitement and energy of the moment.

***

Next summer we will be leading a Foodie Trek to Spain and Tuscany, and an Art Trek to Iceland, so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing in Europe, please join us for one of these amazing trips! Details are available on ArtTreks.org.

***

***

Please check out my website at NikiGulley.com, NikiGulley.com to see more of my impressionistic palette knife paintings.

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on her contemporary Italy and European paintings.

"Walking in Sunshine" a sunflower painting by Niki Gulley painting

 

"Walking in Sunshine" ©2022 Niki Gulley 

SOLD • 16" x 20" textured oil painting

SOLD through  the Good Art Company Gallery. Follow the path leading you through bright, smiling sunflower faces as big as dinner plates, filling you with more joy with each step. A quaint stone farmhouse in the distance welcomes you to come in and enjoy the view as the sun starts to set over the horizon and cast its late day glow. Full of warmth, color and texture, my hope is that when you gaze into this piece, it lifts your spirits and brightens up any spot in your home.

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For details on more of my sunflower and contemporary floral landscape paintings, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

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

"Walking in Sunshine" - Cheerful Sunflower painting by Niki Gulley

 

 

"Walking in Sunshine" ©2022 Niki Gulley 

SOLD • 16" x 20" textured oil painting

Just Sold through The Good Art Company Gallery! Follow the path leading you through bright, smiling sunflower faces as big as dinner plates, filling you with more joy with each step. A quaint stone farmhouse in the distance welcomes you to come in and enjoy the view as the sun starts to set over the horizon and cast its late day glow. Full of warmth, color and texture, my hope is that when you gaze into this piece, it lifts your spirits and brightens up any spot in your home.

***

For details on more of my sunflower and contemporary floral landscape 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're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, Spain, Portugal or Iceland, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

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

2023 Schedule

Tuscany

Foodie Trek - May 27 - June 3

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Provence

Art Trek - June 24- July 1

2024 Schedule

Portugal - March

Spain - March

Iceland - August

Capturing Sunset, Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

  

Venice Carnivalé Art Trek - Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 1 - San Georgio Island

After we finished painting that morning, the photographers joined us for lunch when they were done shooting. We enjoyed a delicious pizza al fresco and afterwards the photographers kept shooting, the painters had some down time, and we reconnected late that afternoon to take the ferry across the canal to San Giorgio Island where a full masquerade of characters were gathered for sunset. My painters opted to just bring their sketchbooks and practice their quick drawing skills, capturing the costumed spectacle. That night we dined on delicious seafood pasta, fresh fish and a delicious local red wine. A great first day!

Scott Williams photograph of one of the costumes during Carnivalé.

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

Upcoming Art and Foodie Treks

 Provence, France – June / July 2023 - wait list only

Spain Foodie Trek – March 2024

Portugal Art Trek – Mar. 2024

Iceland  Art Trek - Aug. 2024

Tuscany, Italy Foodie Trek – Oct. 2023

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

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To see more of Niki Gulley's contemporary textured landscape paintings, please visit nikigulley.com.

For more information, please e-mail Niki Gulley.

Watching Sunset, Venice Art Trek with Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Venice Art Trek
8" x 12" pastel by Niki Gulley

After we finished painting that morning, the photographers joined us for lunch when they were done shooting. We enjoyed a delicious pizza al fresco and afterwards the photographers kept shooting, the painters had some down time, and we reconnected late that afternoon to take the ferry across the canal to San Giorgio Island where a full masquerade of characters were gathered for sunset. We chose this quiet location looking back at Venice framed by the docked boats for our paintings. That night we dined on delicious seafood pasta, fresh fish and a delicious local red wine. A great first day!

Scott Williams photograph of one of the costumes during Carnivalé.

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 arttreks.org.

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

New Orleans Garden District Painting by Texas Artist Niki Gulley

 

          

"Oak Beauties," New Orleans  ©2022 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, 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.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my paintings.

"Going to Class" from Oxford by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

"Going to Class" ©2022 Niki Gulley 

9" x 12" textured oil painting

Inspired from a visit to Oxford, England, I loved the feel and energy of the old college town. We stopped in our tracks one day as we were passing in front of this Ivy covered wall, almost engulfing the massive hand-carved wooden door. Golden light was raking across the scene, beckoning you to take a look and go inside. The fact that the bike was parked right there, made it the perfect photo opp and later in the studio, the perfect painting subject.

E-mail Niki Gulley with any questions about my palette knife travel paintings.

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

Long and Winding Cypress Road Painting by Niki Gulley

 

SOLD • 6" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas ©2022 Niki Gulley

Tuscany Foodie Trek - Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 5:  Italian Renaisance Garden

Today we visited an operating Italian Renaissance garden. Formal and organized with clipped boxwoods and plantings in symmetrical stone urns, impressive travertine column staircases, and the largest indoor potted citrus grove in the area, it was interesting to see the contrast between an Italian garden and an American garden, and the challenges of getting irrigation to the remote property. 

I was also able to paint this unique view from near the gardens of this long, winding road dotted with cypress trees – quintessential Tuscany!

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For more details on my other Tuscany 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're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

2023 Schedule

Venice - Carnivalé 

Art Trek - Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek - May 27 - June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek - June 24- July 1

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

New Rooftop Overlook from Tuscany by Contemporary Impressionist Niki Gulley

 

9" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel ©2022 Niki Gulley 

Tuscany Foodie Trek - Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 3:  Montepulciano, Italy

During our Tuscany Foodie Trek, we headed to the wine town of Montepulciano. Scott took our group on a tour of the city, making sure to visit the underground Etruscan tunnels, stopping at some of the wineries for some samples and allowing everyone to do some shopping.

Meanwhile, I set up my easel at this breathtaking overlook. The view of the valley below is gorgeous with miles of olive groves and vineyards stretching to the horizon. I chose to paint the this puzzle of rooftops and buildings stacked in the foreground with the lush valley stretching into the distance. I hope you enjoy the morning escape to Tuscany!

After lunch, we visited a winery nearby to sample their Rossos, Vino Nobiles and the delicious sweet dessert wine, Vin Santo. 

For more details on my other Tuscany 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're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

2023 Schedule

Venice - Carnivalé 

Art Trek - Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek - May 27 - June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek - June 24- July 1

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

Tuscany Foodie Trek Led by Artists Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

9" x 12" textured acrylic painting on canvas panel  ©2022 Niki Gulley 

Tuscany Foodie Trek - Led by Niki Gulley and Scott Williams

Day 4:  Cooking Class with Restaurant Chef

After another gorgeous leisurely morning at our villa, we all enjoyed learning how to cook authentic Tuscan food from a restaurant chef in one of the neighboring hill towns. From rolling out pici pasta to stuffing squash blossoms, to indulging in the most delicious tiramisu, we feasted like kings for lunch, savoring the fruits of our labor while also learning and sampling some of the region's best wines. 

That afternoon after a stopping for a couple of scenic photos of the Italian countryside we returned to relax at the villa. Above you can see one of the most iconic stops in Tuscany. And, I've always been attracted to this lone clump of cypress trees. Today, I liked how the late afternoon sun was casting such long dramatic shadows on the ground and I decide to accentuate the cool blues and violets I saw in the darks to contrast with the gold rolling hills. I decided to have fun with the colors and strokes to add to the excitement and drama of the moment.

That evening we went into town for a delicious meal of melted pecorino and homemade rustic bread, pici (hand rolled pasta) with wild boar sauce or truffle ravioli for others, fresh organic vegetables and of course the local red wine to top it off!

For more details on my other Tuscany 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're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to France, Tuscany, or Venice, please let us know. Spaces fill up quickly!

2023 Schedule

Venice - Carnivalé 

Art Trek - Feb. 12-18

•

Tuscany

Foodie Trek - May 27 - June 3

•

Provence

Art Trek - June 24- July 1

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

Gnarly Live Oak Trees from Louisiana by Niki Gulley

 

           

"Grandfather Trees"  ©2022 Niki Gulley •  9" x 12" palette knife oil painting

On the final day of our New Orleans Art Trek, we drove out to Oak Alley Plantation and were awed by its impressive grounds and 300 year old oak trees. Enjoying the quiet after the busy bustle of New Orleans, I set out to capture the beauty of these old gnarled trees.

If you're interested in purchasing this painting or seeing the texture in larger detail, just follow this link  https://www.nikigulley.com/rooted.

To see framing options, please e-mail me.

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

E-mail Niki Gulley for more information on my paintings.

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If you'd like to receive daily e-mails about these new paintings as soon as I finish them and a chance to purchase them before anyone else, please follow me on Facebook or Instagram. And, if you know anyone else who might be interested, I'd really appreciate it you could pass this along. Thank you!

E-mail Niki Gulley.

 NikiGulley.com