Artists Of Texas Contemporary Paintings and Art

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! *** If you're interested in joining us on one of our upcoming Art Treks or Foodie Treks to Ice...

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, Engla...

Dining al Fresco, Venice - 12"X18" Pastel  © 2014 Niki Gulley A warm evening breeze stirs, caressing your face as you dine. The sights and sounds of Venice mingle before your eyes, an unfolding opera of color and light. A couple strolls, enamored with the beauty that envelopes them, drawn into the Italian night, hand in hand. The love between them is nearly palpable, and as they pass you by, you feel it radiate off of them, just as the light spreads itself against the encroaching night. The soft touch of the pastels help to capture the calm evening. Venice is filled with the romance and this scene really resonated with me. The warm palette gives one a feeling of calm, a comforting touch, as if by a summer breeze.  *** If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our  P lein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek  to  Venice during Carnivalé, Feb. 7-14, 2015 ....

Dining al Fresco, Venice - 12"X18" Pastel  © 2014 Niki Gulley Nothing like dining al fresco in Venice, Italy.  Vibrant colors, dim lighting, couples are taken in by their surroundings.  The romance is undeniable.   The pastels flow ever so softly capturing the ambiance.  Venice is known for its romance and I really liked this particular scene.  The lighting draws you in and puts you right there with them. *** If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our  P lein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek  to  Venice during Carnivalé, Feb. 7-14, 2015 . We'd love to have you join us! E-mail  Niki Gulley  for more information or go to  nikigulley.com/artreks  for more details on France, Greece, or our Italy Art Treks. For more information on "Dining al Fresco," please e-mail Niki Gulley  n...

“A Pause in Time” Venice, Italy ©2012 Niki Gulley 18” x 24” pastel Mysterious, enchanted, dreamlike – Venice is a fairytale at night. Evening has drawn its starry cloak over the city, the crowds and pigeons are gone and three women enjoy the evening at a café in Piazza San Marco. This changeling city, this artist’s muse now is unhurried, relaxed and romantic and this one perfect moment in time is held in artful pastels, satiated colors –  rich velvet textures capture ebony/violet chairs that Peggy, Pollock or Cole Porter may have sat in, paintings of angels from old Venice and three modern women of today complete this delicate balance in a point of time. This piece won an award at the Southwest Pastel Society's 31st National Juried Show Exhibit. *** If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our P lein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek  to Veni...

“Bon Appetito” ©2014 Niki Gulley Pastel 24” x 36” On my first trip to Europe, my husband wanted to take me to Venice since it was one of his favorite cities, and I fell in love with almost everything about it. The timeless quality created by living on canals free of cars, the history in the architecture and even the cobbled walkways, the beauty of the scenery and the magical quality created by the light to name just a few of my favorite things. I love how food and meals play such an important role in Italian culture – a time to slow down and enjoy friendships while savoring the locally grown cuisine and wines over the course of the evening. In this pastel I wanted to communicate all of those joyful feelings in addition to capturing the energy and romance of the city at night. Bon Appetito! *** If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our  P lein Air Painting and Photography Art Tre...

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'...

Day 1, Greece Art Trek:  The Acropolis, Athens 9" x 12" oil painting by Niki Gulley On day one and two of our plein air painting and photography workshop in Greece, we landed in Athens and visited the Acropolis 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, us painters set up our easels on top of the beautiful balcony view from our hotel to paint 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. Next summer we will be leading an Art Trek to Paris and Provence, France so if you've always dreamed of painting, photographing and sightseeing during lavender and sunflower season in France, a...

Venice ©2013 Niki Gulley 8" x 10" oil painting On the last day of our Venice Art Trek, St. Mark's Square was packed with tourists and people dressed up in costumes for Carnivalé which we loved seeing, but we were hoping to find a quieter spot to paint. So we left the photographers and headed back into the local neighborhoods where it was very peaceful and picturesque. I liked the ornamentation on this bridge and the way the light danced across the water and the under side of the structure. If you'd like to join us on one of our upcoming European Art Treks, please let me know. Closer to home I'll be leading a Plein Air Painting Workshop sponsored through the Good Art Company gallery in Fredericksburg, TX, April 5-7. ArtTreks Tuscany, Italy - Sept. 6-14, 2013 Cinque Terre and Lake Como, Italy - Sept. 13-22, 2013 Provence, France - June 2014 Plein Air Painting / Photography Workshop Led by Niki Gulley ...

"Wash and Dry," Burano ©2013 Niki Gulley 10" x 8" • textured oil painting On the second day of our Venice Art Trek, we headed to the islands of Burano and Murano. Burano is known as a fishing community (and for the homemade lace that they make there), and to help the fisherman find their houses while coming back from sea, they painted their homes every color of the rainbow. With the picturesque canals and so many great colored buildings to choose from, it's hard to pick a single subject matter! We were drawn to this quiet location, however, and the vibrant red stucco wall with that morning's laundry being hung out to dry screamed to be painted. Today I chose to work with thick oil paint and palette knife to capture the rough surface of the walls, resulting in a final painting which is loaded with texture and color. If you'd like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know. The final registration deadline of ...

"Romantic Passage," Venice ©2013 Niki Gulley 12" x 9" • textured oil painting We just got back from teaching our latest Painting and Photography Art Trek in Venice during Carnivalé and had the most amazing time! The weather was ideal our first day there, and we found our way to this quiet landing to paint a typical Venetian canal. I liked the way the sunlight reflected across the water's surface, and I really wanted to capture a gondola in that lit space, but since they move so quickly that was no easy task! Luckily around 11am, there was a steady stream of gondolas passing by our location. 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 really pleased with the results. If you'd like to join us on one of our upcoming Art Treks, please let me know. The final registration deadline of ...

"Santorini Sunset" ©2012 Niki Gulley 12" x 24" pastel My husband and I honeymooned on the Greek island of Santorini and fell in love with it. From the beautiful views of the Caldera, to the white-washed architecture with its signature blue domes, to the laid back attitude and the warmth of the people, we couldn't wait to return. Here is a view at the far end of the island in the town of Oia. I wanted to capture the "skyline," ocean view and the gorgeous sunset that night. Becoming enchanted with the island ourselves, we now can't wait to share the Greek experience with other painters and photographers, so we are leading our May workshop to Athens and Santorini, Greece.  If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Greece, join me and my husband / travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our P lein Air Painting and Photography Art Trek  to Athens and Santorini on May 10-18 . Our unique Art Treks afford you the opti...

“Bon Appetito” ©2012 Niki Gulley Pastel 24” x 36” On my first trip to Europe, my husband wanted to take me to Venice since it was one of his favorite cities, and I fell in love with almost everything about it. The timeless quality created by living on canals free of cars, the history in the architecture and even the cobbled walkways, the beauty of the scenery and the magical quality created by the light to name just a few of my favorite things. I love how food and meals play such an important role in Italian culture – a time to slow down and enjoy friendships while savoring the locally grown cuisine and wines over the course of the evening. In this pastel I wanted to communicate all of those joyful feelings in addition to capturing the energy and romance of the city at night. Bon Appetito! If you’d also like to experience the beauty, history and culture of Venice, join me and my husband / travel photographer, Scott Williams, for our P lein Air Painting and Photography Art Tre...

"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...

"La Foce" Tuscany ©2012 Niki Gulley SOLD • 5" x 7" textured oil painting Day 4, afternoon location, La Foce - Tuscany Art Trek That afternoon, we were planning on painting this unique winding road dotted with cypress trees, but it started drizzling. So we decided to tour the gardens next door instead. Extremely 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. That evening we hung out at the villa again, enjoying the beautiful views and sunset while sampling some delicious authentic Italian pizza. A perfect end to the day! If you'd like to see my paintings from Tuscany and more of my contemporary landscape paintings, please stop by my booth at the Cottonwood Art ...

"Doorway to the Past," Siena, Italy ©2012 Niki Gulley 10" x 8" pastel Day 3, Siena - Tuscany Art Trek On the third day of our Tuscany Art Trek, we visited the ancient walled hill town of Siena. With an incredible marbled cathedral, a massive town square where they run the Palio, a world famous horse race, and a fascinating labyrinth of cobblestone streets with a treasure around every corner, there was something for everyone to see. We made a leisurely day of sightseeing and people watching in true Italian style, and that evening treated ourselves to a delicious dinner in town. If you'd like to see "Doorway to the Past" 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 fabulous dinner in Pienza. If you'd like to join us for next year's Art Trek to Venice in Feb...

9x12 textured oil painting by Niki Gulley Day 1, afternoon location - Tuscany Art Trek That afternoon it started to drizzle, so we picked a location that was covered where we could still paint and photograph. With the sky fairly overcast and the hues rather dull that afternoon, we used the cypress as our subject, but had fun playing with color. I think the results were even better than had it been a sunny day! Everyone's paintings turned out beautiful, and that evening we treated ourselves to a fabulous tuscan dinner of pastas, pecorinos, meats and a little vino to treat ourselves. A great end to a fun filled day! One of our photographers getting into the shot! An amazing dinner with new friends. 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 ...