Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Nov. 19 My first time at this location, and I had no idea the landscape looked so flat, very little to work with. I almost wanted to quit, then I decided to looked around and found this curved pathway winding towards the distant mountains.  The clouds were dramatic.  We don't usually see clouds here, only during the rainy season.  So I focused on practicing painting the clouds, moved some trees from my left to the right.  Added a couple walking in my painting towards the end.   After several years of painting outdoors, I've realized that Plein Air is not only about connecting with, or discovering the beauty of nature, but it also about learning how to address multiple dimensions at once, like being out of my comfort zone, overcoming my unwillingness, and practicing and finding inspiration no matter what nature presents.

Nov. 18 Came to one of our favorite trails to paint at a time when there was predicted little chance of rain. I couldn't make up my mind where to set up. Just because all the angles looked so beautiful at the time because of all dramatic lighting in the clouds. I knew there was no public restroom nearby and so had to limit my painting time. The hills here we had hiked countless times. There are only clouds here during the rainy season so it is particularly dramatic now. Two coyotes appeared on the trail, then disappeared into the grass in distance. It didn't rain, but the light changed dramatically in the short time I was there. Learned my lessons, had to plan what I wanted to paint, watercolor does not tolerate too many mistakes.    

After arriving at the location, I walked around, but didn't see any other artists there. Thought I remembered the wrong day. It was a gorgeous warm day with a breeze. The mist came out of the ocean and made everything look mysterious. Set up my stuff, not sure why my Plein Air umbrella just kept falling down. I tried so many times, couldn't make it work properly. Gave it up, kept painting... Chose this unique angle, there was a lamp post next to the light house. I liked it, and painted it into my painting. By noon, the sun had changed its angle, and more people came. Just love to paint at this location, only a little bit too far away from where I live. (Nov. 16 2020)

Nov. 12 Gorgeous day but cold in San Francisco. Painted at the same beautiful landmark I visited a couple weeks ago. After my work was done, I felt so warm inside my car. Drove through such a charming city. GPS guided me up and down hills. I felt it fun to see the city views, tried to snap a couple of shots at the beginning. Then driving on the Divisadero St, there were a few steep roads, at the first couple of intersections. I felt like the car was going straight up, even stepping on the brake I worried my car would slip backwards. My hands and feet were both sweating. Later, going down, my car stopped at what felt like 45 degrees downhill. The views were spectacular in front of me. I was so nervous, did not dare to take a glimpse. On the way back, a detour guided me to an even steeper road, one seemed like a thirty degree angle looking down. I almost wanted to scream and closed my eyes, but there were people crossing the road, so I had to stop and keep my eyes widely open. What an e

A gray day painting out on location. Thought I was over dressed when the sun came out. Later I felt so cold, only a few steps from my car, but I didn't want to stop. Still learning how to manage time while painting outdoors, especially doing watercolor. Miracles only come from practicing daily for an artist. (Nov.11 2020)  

Nov. 10 Drove through a winding road, to arrive at this beautiful vineyard in the Portola Valley. Found a quiet corner to paint. There were no grapes left on the vines. Not sure why there were less colors than last year during the same month. I think I overdid the painting. I tried to stop twice, almost packed my stuff away, than had to bring my brushes out again... I really should stop at the first time my instant feeling told me. Watercolor is not the tolerant media if the over paint. Another day of practicing.

Nov.9 Definitely it suddenly got so cold, I saw frost on the roof this morning, and snow on the top of the distant mountains yesterday. That couldn't stop me from painting outdoors. Came here and painted with other artists. Just followed my instant feeling for this angle to paint. Spent more time for a little sketch and a drawing. Thought I was ready to mix my colors. It was really hard to keep the loose feeling. I wasn't happy with the statues and the background. A watercolor artist Susan finished her Plein Art work and happened to pass by me. So kind that I had her feedback. Then my work started improving a bit... I remember that John Singer Sargent did some masterpieces of statues in watercolor paintings. My breath was always taken away each time I saw only the prints. So much to look forward to... seeing the originals someday!  

Nov.5 Don't remember when I last came to this park. Today I followed the watercolor group to come here again. Driving through the hills and saw the spectacular views of Santa Clara Valley. Saw three females riding their horses walking on the hills, looked like they had a good time together. After paintings were done. we had lunch together at the park, everyone wore the face masks, and kept distance. We gave feedback to each other. Happy to meet other artists, old and new, great time we had together. Not sure how this year went by so fast - almost gone. I painted outdoors everyday this week. So enjoyed the good weather, and painting. Raining season is coming. One thing I had noticed is that my supply of watercolor paper is running out, have to order more...

Long and tiring day, drove more than 140 miles, not counting the milage getting lost when both my car GPS and Google maps lost signal and took me in the wrong direction. It was worth the long way drive, to paint at such an inspiring historic location on a gorgeous day. I instantly found the boat that I wanted to paint, only set up took me longer time, my umbrella kept falling down to the ground with every little bit of wind. Finally Al, the organizer artist, helped and made it stable. There were still many people at the wharf even though it was a weekday. Some of them might be coming daily to buy fresh fish. I didn't have time to think anything else, tried to focus on my work. A motorcycle never turned off the engine, made very loud noises behind me. The situation improved after the motorcycle was gone. On the way home, I saw so many Mexican workers working in the fields, and I knew they were hard working people, their lives were not easy in this country, especially during the pand

Came to this 5.5 acres historic Rose Garden during a gorgeous autumn day. There were about 189 varieties, 3500 rose bushes, and this regional park won the national awards. There were only few people in the park, because a weekday I guessed. There would be a lot more people during weekends, sometimes there would be a wedding party. Been here so many times, but my first time to paint here. Found a good spot in the shade, focused on painting the water fountain. Could not finish the painting at the park. There was a guy following me. He asked me if I was a famous artist selling super-expensive paintings. Not sure how I could satisfy his curiosity, so I kept silent... Then he asked why I kept my face all covered. I wore a hat, a sunglasses and a face mask. I only answered that was my outdoor protection. Actually, some other people where covered up the same like me. Got home and retouched the painting a little bit.  (  Nov. 3 2020)

Changed back time from Daylight Savings. Only one hour different, I felt like jet lag. I was excited on the way to paint at the location, could see some other artists I haven't seen for a long time. After I got there, realized that the park wasn't opened to the public. There was no bathroom open either. It was still quite a warm day, feeling hot in the sun. Locked my bottle of water inside the car, no need to drink any water in this case. Challenging, no one could have predicted what can be happen in advance. Some artists can paint the Marshlands beautifully. I was just focusing on painting loosely, and using a limited color palette. Quickly I found there was not much more could do, which meant it time to stop. Usually I would try to force myself to continue, not today, I was done. A couple of other artists said some complements. I know they try to encourage me, and I was very thankful! Bay National Wildlife Refuge Fremont CA. Changed back time from Daylight Savings

Our raining season is coming soon, after that I usually have allergies for half a year for outdoors. Another gorgeous day I didn't want to miss. Went to one of my favorites locations - Santa Clara University, which is famous for the old Mission and the beautiful landscaping, not to mention it is very good private college. The old Mission wall and Spanish style buildings were eye catching on a nice day like today. It is always feels like a present each time I come to visit the campus. Painted a couple of times on the campus as well. Today's challenging part was the position I stood was very close, nowhere to backup further. Enjoyed the peacefulness, and got my painting done.