Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Which painting do you like? #1 today's or #3 spring time? Second time painting the same subject, last time I did it in the afternoon. Today it was hot, I was well prepared and painted on the side walk path under trees. I didn't plan to paint the car, the composition I don't usually set up in the very middle. I remembered that one of my paintings sold to a shop owner nearby, his wife told me that my painting was all about his life, shop, boat and car... I thought I had to add the car into my painting, because that the story behind the subject was drawing me back again. Light and shadows were very different than when I painted here last spring, but much quieter, maybe due to the pandemic. The fence next to me was somebody's backyard where a guy was working inside, and I could hear his young age daughter calling him a couple times. He listened to the radio the song was "Hotel California", it really helped me got into the feeling to paint! Living in California abo...

To me painting still-life is difficult, I easily feel bored by staring at the same subject, prefer painting outdoors for sure. Some of my old still-lives mostly painted depending on half of my imagination. One day last month, just because I could not help myself and I picked up a wild pink lily flower (not sure the name) from the fields, put it into a cup I never used. Afternoon light made the flowers appear mysterious, I was wondering how I could express that feeling, especially because my favorite Plein air hat was next to it on the chair. Ended up I thought the shadow of the cup handle was more interesting to me - my focal point, hoped it worked out well. 🍳I had to move down to our kitchen/dining area to paint since the pandemic, because my studio is next to my husband's office and I was not used to his talking during the meetings at home all day long. Don't take it the wrong way, I think that my brain frozen when listening to all the words...Of course that was not my excus...

Came to paint at one of the most beautiful architectural and historic places. Gorgeous day, not too hot with a blue sky. Really learned how to appreciate the clean air and environment after experiencing the surrounding fires. Spent longer time drawing, but the light and shadows can never stop moving forward. After it was almost done, I messed around a bit, made sure the building stood out. Another vertical painting was done in the shade, got to love this peaceful place. Will be back for sure.

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.

It was raining a bit this morning when I was driving to the location. Rain stopped and it was gray, disappointed to see the water lilies were not blooming after I was expecting to paint them since my first time painted here. I guess that could change my mood to paint. Sun came out, and it was getting hot. Then I saw water lilies started blooming, ducks swimming around, koi fish jumped out of the water once a while... Actually it was a quite clean day after weeks of polluted air. Didn't think too much but kept working on the water lilies. Got stuck and got good feedback instantly from another artist friend. Felt lucky and always enjoyed painting with other artists together. I had no idea why I painted it so dark by using Monet's color pallet, except mine was watercolor. Maybe spend too much time in all the museums I had possibly to visit all the greatest masters work. Does it mean good or bad to be Influenced by others?

The light and shadows on this church building were very interesting each time I was passing by. Painted it during a previous winter time once, there was no light that day. The air was still unhealthy, I wore the mask anyway to paint. Architecture is another category, not easy to draw perfectly, because I stood too close by. Took me quite a long time to finish the drawing. Because of the polluted air, the light wasn't strong enough to make the shadows and building contrast to each other, and the light kept moving. I really want to learn what to do with the concrete floor... tired and just another practice work. I saw it was so beautiful in the dawn, may come back again.

Very early morning, drop my husband off at the SFO domestic tunnel Because my 90ish years old father-in-law wasn't doing well, wished to see his children... I decided to paint in San Francisco. Sounded exciting, first my car GPS won't show the direction, and my Smartphone T-Mobil service wasn't connected stable. Driving in the dark on route #101, I didn't get lost dear heaven. Arrived at the location 6:40am, the street lights were still on, only saw one another on the beach. Lucky the public restroom was open and the sensor lights were turned on. Not mention it was only 50 degrees outside, I really didn't want to standing in front of the water. Around 7am, all the street lights were off, it was super gray. Started a small study, a couple runners passing by, one said "Are you going to paint the gray?" It was so true, barely saw any other colors, and it was freezing cold, even I had my winter jacket on. I kept reminding myself positively, what a great opport...

My 3d time painted at this location with an other local artist today. As usual did a small study first, took me much longer time to paint. After stepping back to view my work, I realized that there were not enough values in my work (The top one). Came home continued working on the painting (The bottom one), not sure if it has improved or not. Fall is coming, there were leaves and little branches falling on my painting and on me while I was painting today. Could see leaves started turning colors in distance. What a challenging year!

🙏Say prayers for all the people impacted by the fires in California! It looked gray, not too smoky, might be still effected by the nearby fire. Good to know that such an oriental garden exists in Silicon Valley. First time I came here, and so happy to see 10 other artists at the location and what they painted. I instantly found my spot to paint. Actually the whole garden was under major works, the pond was dry. I stood at the bottom of the pond to paint. Took me a while to do a small study, and draw the bridge, added my own water into the pond . After my painting was done, Will Maller, a very respected artist used his own made Golden radial ruler measured my work, seemed everything located by following the Golden rules. Did that mean my composition was perfect? I doubted it.... Had got some compliments from other artists. I think they were very kind and encouraged me. Later I walked further, found out a water lily pond behind, I will be back soon for sure. (August 31 2020)