Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Sunny day with improved air quality. Planned to paint and meet our local watercolor group, but I didn't see anyone. A possibility of being the wrong location. Never mind, morning light and shadows near the outdoor eating garden were very interesting. Experimented a limited color palette and a vertical layout. My Strada easel setup wasn't suitable for painting verticals, it was reach the maximum of the holding 15" area, and wasn't stable especially on a windy day. No wind today, getting hot near the noon. Had to move into the shade, a waiter moved away the chairs I was working on. Saw a fewer people, enjoyed the peaceful moment, and painted loosely... but not happy with the result, colors look too muddy... Just another practice work.

"When you follow the dream in your heart, you’re energized, inspired, and motivated.” Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882 American essayist, lecturer, and poet). It was quiet this morning. Not many people passing by. Later getting busier, many trucks stopped to deliver to shops. Wow, it was so warm, about 78 degrees. I finished drinking a whole bottle of water, it reminded me that I really need more water in summer. Again, there was no light on the wall when I started painting. Tiring day from the heat I guess. Santana Row is not only a residential area, also it is a commercial district, full of designer brand shops, bars and restaurants. I used to be a city girl, enjoyed the city life and activities because I was born and raised in one of the oldest cities, Beijing. California life style or maybe living in Silicon Valley, has changed me so much, outdoors for nature and shopping online are my regular activities. I have been to Santana Row only a few times. On the other side from