Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Fall finally came to the Bay Area.  A little bit behind my schedule this morning.  Felt chilly inside the house, really didn't want to paint outdoors. I know it is important to practice daily being an artist painter. I pushed myself out of the door, drove to Franklin Square. Passed by it countless times, the water fountain was an appealing subject. Not sure why I never painted it. Only a few people walked around; a quiet Monday morning. Later a person in a wheelchair rolled up and asked what I was painting for. I instantly wanted to move out of his way. He was kind and told me that his vision was no longer good. I took my painting from the easel to show him. He said he was very thankful I brought my work to show him in a way that he was able to see, and that I did a good job.  Before I packed my stuff away, a lady came out of the beauty saloon. We had a short conversation, glad to know her business was doing OK. Nice being out and painting, another day practicing and overcoming my

Can you believe that my orchid (yellow cymbidium) finally is blooming now after TEN years of rest? What a "Sleeping Beauty"! (Click the image to view a better result). A good friend of mine - she is a plant expert gave this orchid to me (a plant lover) during the spring time when I just got settled here. It was in a one gallon container, and bloomed with gorgeous yellow flowers. I was so touched by her sincere friendship, at the same time I was overjoyed to watch the flowers whenever I had a little time.  She also taught me how to treat this type of orchid, what kind of fertilizers used during which season, how often to water it with a treated water (temperature, no chlorine, etc.). I did take very good care of my orchid like a super princess. Left it and moved it around in a perfect spot, no direct sunlit, only the morning sun or later afternoon ones. No matter how busy I was, I'd rather have missed my breakfasts hundred times, but the first thing I spritzed