Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Didn't plan to paint outdoors, but the weather was so nice I thought that I could save some work for raining days at home. Rushed out the door, my car GPS refused to accept the address. And I still missed the entrance of the free way by listening to Google maps. It was a little bit late, actually it was good timing, as the sun just started shining on the roof of this historic St. Anthony Church on Bertram Rd. Learned so many lessons from my previous mistakes. focused on drawing patiently. Felt hot in the sun, watercolor paper and paint dried very fast, followed the flow to work. Happy I was out to paint, met a couple of watercolor artists as well.

There was little traffic inside the city of San Francisco this morning. My GPS signal got lost, I had to turn around before the Golden Gate Bridge. Gorgeous day being out and painting my one of the landmarks for the first time - Palace of Fine Arts San Francisco. Walked around this stunning architecture, saw mostly local people walking and chatting or taking care of babies; different kinds of birds flying over the lagoon, which reflected this magnificent building and surrounding landscape contrasted by the blue sky. A guy was playing guitar and sang songs to the kids behind where I was painting. A couple had their sweet memory wedding photo shoot at the waterfront. Who doesn't want a decent photo here! I knew that I should not paint it too complex when doing outdoor paintings. But I couldn't help myself and tried to squeeze in as much as I could into an 11"x14" painting. Beside the falling autumn leaves, a caterpillar jumped on top of my palette. I tried to...

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 over...

My first time painting at this location near Half Moon Bay. Followed Google and found this unique, old western town nestled in the rolling countryside along the San Mateo coast. Such a unique place, I had a hard time to make decision, then I saw a real cute pig alone sleeping inside the Jail, felt quite some pity for it. So painted next to the Jail, at least provided companionship to the little sleepy, lonely pig. The building I focused on to paint was next to the fence. Wondered why there was so much dust in the air. Finally I saw a horse next to wall, might try to communicate with me. Gorgeous day after I had so much delicious food and celebrated our shared birthdate together at one of my girlfriends' house yesterday. But this morning I was a little bit frustrated, my car GPS which had the options of the shortest distance choice, but Google map showed the fast way. I usually use both in case the signals lost. There was almost ten miles difference between those two, who I should f...

Last Saturday, October 10 was George's birthday, I brought this double portrait on a wet canvas finished only the night before to his booth at the local Farmer's Market. A big surprise for him! Everyone was happy, his two sons and a lady named Nami worked there, and some people who happened to be at the market at that time. George gave me a big beautiful bouquet of flowers. I felt satisfied by my effort. George and his wife were immigrants from Japan, raised their granddaughter Aika like their own daughter. Aika wanted me to paint a portrait for George's birthday. She told me that she loved both of them deeply. I was very grateful to get both Aika and Nami's trust, no matter what obstacles I would face, I must finish a decent portrait for them. It was only a one-week deadline for the commissioned work. Aika's grandparents were busy working, barely had decent photos together. I found that out after our agreement to paint an 11 inch by 14 inches oil painting, but actu...

Plein Air painters do not usually have such a lovely day painting at a peaceful location. Feeling luxurious, we sat down and painted on the table in the shade. Only I wanted to paint a different subject, the buoys on the wall. They looked so interesting and simple under morning light. Never tried and never knew that they were not as easy as they looked. Struggling through another day of practice.  

What a glorious fall day in San Francisco! Just couldn't believe that Google map guided me near the location, still took me a while to find the gate and a parking spot. Not sure why there was no botanical garden in my car GPS, got frustrated in the morning over that. Instantly I wanted to paint this colorful tree near the pond. The tree wasn't a simple subject to me, and English is my second language. I overheard that people talking about coyotes while I was struggling on my work, I didn't stop and continued using my visual brain on the painting. Suddenly, I realized that a couple of visitors were talking to me while passing by. I stopped and saw a well fed huge coyote walking behind me about fifteen to twenty feet away (about 7 meters). He walked like in his own backyard... After painting done, met a several Plein Air artists, they said that the coyote was howling to the fire engine this morning. I guess this botanical garden really has become his territory.

Really liked winter at the location, only 50 degrees though I was well prepared. Felt like didn't paint a boat for a long time, suddenly wasn't sure what I should paint in front of all the beautiful fishing boats. I regretted not drawing a small sketch first, because noticing later how difficult it was to work out. One thing I did learn in a hard way from my past experiences, I didn't use much water on paper in such a cold and high humidity weather conditions. Not happy with the composition too. Then forced myself to continue. Saw a couple of other artists, a seal swimming around, and a cute sea Otter was sleeping there. Wish to live closer so I don't have to drive more than hundred miles to go and paint.  (Oct 7 2020)

First time rushed into one of my favorite Farmer's Market, not well organized during the weekend morning. Found out that I left my phone and my hat at home after grabbing some fresh vegetables. I set up my easel, asked a photographer guy to call and texted to my husband. Lucky me to meet another an artist photographer, he showed me some of his work and his light weight camera. My husband delivered my forgotten stuff later, also delivered the vegetables home, such a supportive partner for more than twenty years. I wanted to paint the market for a long time, the booths and settings always look interesting. I kept moving myself into the shade, under the sun was too hot. The girl helping sell flowers saw me working hard, she gave a bunch of flowers at the end, how sweet!

Beautiful day, but a little bit hot, typical Indian summer. Passed by this museum countless times, I never thought that it would be an interesting place to paint. The architecture and landscape design definitely transports visitors to a foreign country. Walked around and took some reference pictures, I kept asking myself why I didn't come here to paint before. After while I found an unusual spot I really wanted to paint. A person came to me and told me that he was going to do a maintenance cleaning job inside and out exactly where I was. Finally, I sit down to paint in the shade. When I did washes on paper, I tried to remember I should control not over do it. Nice place, will be back some day for sure! ----  09/12/2019 Does anyone know what this architecture is for? The morning light and shadows from the skylight and the windows inside this building shone geometric shapes on the floor and pillars that were unique and interesting. I had to push myself standing at the end against the...