Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

I love doing photography too because the result comes out much faster and is more direct than painting. Also, it helps me memorize the beauty of nature, the difference of cultures and the variety of religions I have seen.  It is such a rewarding way to gain knowledge and wisdom to inspire me creating art (don't need worry about other's copy rights either ;-) ).  It helps me to understand others better, meditate and discover my deeper self through all the wonderful subjects. "Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without." - Buddha "Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Buddha "Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life." - Buddha  "In the sky, there is no distinction of east and west; people create distinctions out of their own minds and then believe them to be t...

Knocking on Heaven's Door I saw this nun walking against the beautiful ruined wall the day I just arrived Antigua, Guatemala in February 2010. So, I followed her in the street and took 2 photos. I painted it after I came back my stedio. The title was inspired by one of the most famous song of Bob Dylan's. Because the way she knocked was very mysterious. Confess...  This is the story of how I was inspired to paint "Confess..." When visiting the extraordinary ruins at Qoricancha (Golden Temple) in Cusco Peru, I followed a guy entering a huge gate into a quiet area, I found myself in the beautiful baroque church of Santa Domingo (I found out later). First I saw a statue of the praying Virgin Mary, illuminated and radiant in front of the alter; second, I turned around and saw many golden arches with painted angels near the ceiling. At the same time I realized that a few workers were doing minor construction. Third, I heard a loud voice in Spanish I couldn't un...

To me that it is a long process to get involved in creating art and at the same time gaining balance in life! There are some art works I have done and the stories behind them I would love to share with you in this blog. Art, like dance, music, painting, poetry, sculpture and visual art really can help ourselves, others, community and the earth to heal. If our body, mind, spirit are out of balance, we all can get great benefit from doing art, it really depends on what we have the most passion to do! Religion and the spirit world probably began about 50,000 years ago. Religion is considered to be a universal cultural trait, common to all human cultures worldwide right throughout the history of humanity. ST Patricia This icon I copied from one of Ravenna's splendid mosaics. I love being creative, so I named it as 'St Patricia', because the dark color hair, long nose, big eyes and the sharp chin look just like my mother-in-law, who is half Italian, but she has beautiful gree...

I am so thankful and happy to share my art and my stories with you! May your wishes and New Year's dreams come true!!! I have sent a Holiday Greeting to my mail list, including a 25% discount code if you want to purchase any print from my art work at http://xueling-zou.artistwebsites.com/ . To the people are not on my mail list, you can simply enter " CVSJCD " if you want to get 25% off any my print till December 31, 2011. Thank you!!