tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53873869961235895032024-03-28T20:29:08.976-07:00Original Art Stories - Xueling ZouStoryteller visual artist🎨original art paintings in Oil and Watercolors ♦️ art lover collective ♦️Plein Air ♦️prints/ship worldwide since 2010 @ https://about.me/xuelingzouhttp://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.comBlogger585125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-39273821908035702032024-03-02T20:03:00.000-08:002024-03-02T20:10:58.676-08:00Portrait and figurative studies of a model <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwglUJZ7PAPAwtjRKVV42oTGJzO_P14OgHCDlaNwgnPeM-AUHEs9ZE2HDk6FQOVXrseZxQt3uHC1-2ba-COtveM-JOTeQSsKRrKXfvQWatRGBxDP8Ga4iHa8zTSviOpE-8nRUXvaGVTnt6ECAvmv3Lo1uav3VELdeoTxJ-LTmTelJisG7qyN5Yq26dv8-O/w640-h640/Screenshot_20240301_163256_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />A good model can inspire an artist to be creative and productive. Studying from a live model is always challenging.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg81ByQ7FWjbmSxhIrM8qp6yywKMXrgbk6T_CYAmNvN-DX4PUihCXni4A97bqlISje4oIcO-tB4EcG4kT8VNtnJKt3b1F1mR7ed9tUV2Aad9LGhKZu_pQOtzj3gkv67reg7gQdVbsGfBDR8YXsMQBVJTv6H8IfYgmFdqAM0MWApALedNf4-psLqGSbZzJJw/w400-h400/20240227_163931.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />We were lucky to have very profession model Zoe being our sitter for two sections.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM-v8YGAZE3dirR2y6NEqtzh4xKnmaNb2dLREHrQ5ViAdKHfDL0ej_3cBgmDypsCXtp1fghCf8qYs1lIHDOMQX4xqU6sjZ03BiF7t1YN8Dfu50Xs_DjZWhemmOH2uPif_3NimnoCuR5ovx2ymZ_Gkk0QNxu9iWhfPx9lO306260JDC0kTwXQMYFK7xAwU3/w400-h400/Screenshot_20240301_163401_WeChat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The first week I did a full body study. Though I went to the studio half an hour early, most of the good seats were already taken. I grabbed the last middle one, so painted Zoe straight on.<br /><br />A week later, I brought my first figurative study back and correct a little bit. Then I worked on a 12"x16" portrait. <br /><br />Both sections I used pallet knives mostly and painted on used canvases. The figurative one is 16"x20". Nice of her that she posed herself next to our paintings in the end.<br /><br />Went back home and worked for hours correcting as the limited time wasn't allow me to do the details. For instance, her eyes looked more like she was meditating. And I added to my own interpretation into the portrait.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ9iOHSASvK6ErBNlvWFgUuvqiK_FV1mhZPhdyl5XYoFlyeFsppT82KomN3R-qnv76ICv1XmpR-YGwJdr9rRcBPYTGvbN5fMuvWoU9_snt4NxDQtYmpnTNfhAbinDUdlrS-W2he-4p3-f5RJ346uehaxjFRcfvn7hz9_uL3A2_Ke-49v97g0Oy3FdJxno/w400-h400/20240228_110908.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqTIN6Z6uKNdpydQa_iLfHWKoUq5Hhq5dssuenrgLr0bwgd86Oa5E4eUWfWtgfWK5d6L9gu2zALYdiscL0BC5yOYtXKB0XZ-2LyLWyEk0b1hPO87iEBS5Z1dn4RJTy0C4Ei9RNzBUXDR_gAhE75KOn5abQugMYhXpK_uLjbUKrmpDivfPnjLunC33Vjii/w400-h400/20240228_111125.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Short pose drawing in the evening, Short pose drawings from our favorite ballerina/dancer/model. Just love all her poses. (February 29 2024).<br /><br />More short pose figure drawings from previous weeks.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2874" data-original-width="2645" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28Ef1ioJjEAtXT4QZuMdM9oPtt5NoFAdkfb082cpeXNyWYd40XLwzdEvI1bKtveKdQqP7jS-bauxe-fFypYPNagdl6kNyRrky3T-tHH25BDY7sIS7MTy5HUt470M-9H4qUe9E4-fk48v_0LKyh6U-xBuV_CUnQGv223GVwwOAG9OopL9vJMkkX_CH-VtX/w369-h400/20240207_104513.jpg" width="369" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLuE3mhNHWo0OytUEif4IdHh2rIVBxYi-6Y9xAhuSKWCb0cSNW35BNCf2mZGktIDNGAdBEwh2ZZuPvWVw7tKepWoywkVWpMjEe-8-cbsJ3l6yeuq_PYqayfl65wU1Wi5M0n8u9F7pTFbOCqh2nOyI18AAQA__zv9Nd-z6X2O2JA2j5H7rzZVPHNpFQf_iU/w400-h400/20240131_100339.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-21414126565561347942024-02-23T15:37:00.000-08:002024-02-23T15:37:51.332-08:00Plein Air @ Chris' Farm in Campbell CA 加州風景寫生<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaaltzGfUdYsEiFPERgd-I0WIEGiWrDLxcMW-SsvnLwnxxmCzcyp0zKxCrt_-ZUxrwu2bbBnP5m_nRK2jqknCpHKR1YK4-HSxQW6cnra4-dAmG-FAqyWNNTkG3GINZy13aPdpbp8u1vwhB88emTSkFenFvXQO9D_qaR-4Z0_ouRTV2W0nYXC2D4Be2AXjc/w640-h640/20240222_163858.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Sun came out after weeks of rain. I went to one of my favorite spots to Plein Air, Chris' Farm in Campbell. <br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="783" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3zMSr8Ti3hsV91gnDG0kwBrJ0C2ZlL85IoFho1d4E-SKNRAuuyFOcCNwwPtzNlBBu2eaGT3aHb8hF98N8nrIWlO5MOkIgkL3ytmGjnQcQHD5MetEJBjRmege9HrNRh_VLdkJ4hMKrY5zW1YJ7w2WxUrFOgXOHysChW_7M6eajr_3kwz8NOSYbEE-xw6lo/w400-h366/Screenshot_20240223_140901_WeChat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Painted at the same location several times already, but I went there in the afternoon today. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="854" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLO_GQROkE_kcchPJLmuPx-UFD2VPgeoEy4LVP0Q02BVasf2j3jtfyhNlRFyQop0dZn1Yt7b0_B1TBALHR-42E96NRUCPX_-L-LGxoMtUb4pG5YOIlqVjKGz-x3gUYbsYnDsPJf9Y2K4xTtm0TrpuetdeegtVuxp_UoDs4AoNcWHXKOYPzfmlpqC30VU5/w400-h333/Screenshot_20240223_141041_WeChat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />There were many interesting subjects there, and also it was not far from where I lived. <br /><br />The antique van and an old delivery truck were facing different directions. Quickly I had my drawing down and started to laying down some colors. <br /><br />Might be it was because it was afternoon, but it was not as quiet as it was used to be there. Cars driving and parking, people passing by or bicycling... Nice to hear several compliments. <br /><br />Sun went down fast and the temperature got colder. It was the time to leave, and I did enjoy being outdoors again working. (February 22 2024)http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-9191471506465142272024-02-13T21:32:00.000-08:002024-02-13T21:32:00.562-08:00Plein Air @ Ed Levin County Park, Milpitas CA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxrp00XAGXwS_MmosMdID8TUaiG-0cC-v_eGcxPgxEC6EZyRs-6B_eoXxEnUwxhOG0f0l6-su-qHpAx3A-QQjvxVcAl2JX1EJfiYaIWnKjRXEiPWap4_gpH_4meLdQbFMPdTusoNrXfNi2eceT9H8ZyVOW7n-6yJVfHaFGZNJp5rqqh3sCkWNjmdRqDdCK/w640-h640/20240212_120011.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>It was not a warm morning, but the rain finally stopped. My husband drove me to the location, then he visited a friend who lived nearby.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcTnpG021Ogh8FdeJIbuiuM18609txAWRMmvcjuHIyNmVZ5tV2BWGp14szAmj-X0273yYjycStiysJDqAlQbS9MxXbP-BmL7lUaLwzlTSBMAdqq6n-X5PVRIl4dIEn1muuw__UmSOe4VImUtypR-zW8e85q7mTF0t_OS955lt9B-QBt4lwJphVqD5i6oSw/w400-h400/20240213_205802.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />My first time coming here to paint. Peaceful morning with the other artists, only could hear birds singing. <br /><br />It is still our winter time in 50's and partly cloudy, I did several sketches. Tried a German made fountain pen lent to me from another artist. It was really a nice one, I might buy one.<br /><br />Sun came out later and brought the temperature up a little bit, then I did a quick watercolor sketch.<br /><br />Saw our friend and had nice chat with her, she introduced us to another park nearby. I would try to paint next time. (February 12 2024)http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-17445097243489398182024-01-27T11:42:00.000-08:002024-01-27T11:42:58.687-08:00Sketching @ Apple Park Cupertino CA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgByb8EpE5WDFto_vBVbxcBaqdy7krSJXThWh0jJgDLKPgxhZPjxLX6iz-Eg5p0o4Ly84ZEx8itNAnZi8t6P655qhOqCWB746B65i_3OdosW12PQeGf9e3UWs04jAcLbg3X5TweHJyIE9i_9rSnLM_3Pyl7-ejMn2KI9NfhRnZxpnNtu6snl2f-rvHocjdf/w640-h640/20240125_121726.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Thought to do something different, Apple Park was a good place for sketching and not far from where I live. and some of our local artists were meeting up there today. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2783" data-original-width="2783" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrpVcXmD0krgmwznFl7TCUyTgmtqOQ_Ha1Bd4MQjitHx0M-X9Lkb9LOaCNxKcJ92Od0Rn3l5FtWd8zNGJU-6SGZnJBifLBqYydbLTTCwYeMxO2sxp8DFplB4TuKEN3BzRuGvaz6kM2SfKUSEaEOLS8kg2e4TMpyibexVt1PkvIVXXsTN0zg9g7UwBj3tre/w400-h400/20240125_114234.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Sun came out this morning after weeks of rain. I was not well prepared for it. Found my pencils, sketch book, eraser and outdoor chair in a rush. Felt I should have more hands to carry each of them, why didn't I grab a bag and have everything in it?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmKVuRvnAOzM6aN8eZ64lQRb3WLXEk8Rdr3WfSruoCCczdwCFzPvzRZ_fC0_KPFf59IhtHg_GZJdAmUxGQONv2YKtSVVN3_5_2jV7suLxkO8MRb6zJ7yqFk_YPR0ZoXtiW22HEkc12LffVrs8k6tWKoNFNJKK3YLvYiZCjOkOOoksnifWPWMq75HIKAFZK/w400-h400/20240125_143711.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>Warm in the sun, but not in the shade. There were many young olive trees, I guessed that they were the same age as the Apple Headquarters.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLHMdSceVr2f4dNadFfniLFYUCFgiir1e6YdeUqB2phRtGgXpVY-k3LAWbbez-RxsgabFMRAB14RPcMKmQx_DY76Vc1uE34rSUazySOcPoOh6rLNNTmeXxxV5bsk_Hpil8nLrDDwIVcW7jaIKATsGoVaVMWp97DJVyTWfQ_7xdJ_BfIdWZ2eUJBWw1pYvj/w400-h400/20240125_112552.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Tried one sketch that had architecture, and one very stylish artist I drew her into my work. Then I started to draw other artists.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4hv_j3MMvaFtWM5KjJAh4Dz8se3vpIBwWxe-WO4xt1qS28qAZEFye5xewn6JvINWy6eXW9qmIdc6pRA3Weas3MeNdnl0U5tGVVTmcWiteNgivWlAo4W2wFAVeydRUh1wtq6L5hJ2Q3TVqDMZU1Sb6zgVOem20Sd_vJ2nxSnLFaL-8MAxsgTBtaxWlAS6_/w400-h400/20240125_111209.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> Walked through the Apple park's "mirage" sculpture takes shape as iridescent glass pillars winding through trees.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXeuYV-9q0VIcwc47WlJ80dpNY8NA75ZYhF0TUm618OAQa4WCmyWh9QfjzaNfZ9KtN6zabKr7Quir_vIhR7uS50thDnxk0UVhMRScHGwgMoU7l_ub2bQ2GrF6l6x7rmpUrWvWcTSOmSU8a_6Ur3AYD7i7QP0kxbld5bl8fU9sIx7PzF2dgkU3eWR_yBT-/w400-h400/20240125_111229.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Chatted with several artists to catchup, left after in the afternoon. (January 25 2024)<br />http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-41178860784755394122024-01-15T19:32:00.000-08:002024-01-15T19:32:00.132-08:00Plein Air @ Alviso Marina County Park San Jose CA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="872" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJcsmrsKswfNI173WF6YfIPCTKVZfFiali0VQiuSW0NlAzCpB_LVs0wM1nB5p8c7QCMj6HLvYxXKQcsrxgGcnBwq1_Z06I61BFwL4bH_HY366Fvm2avQQMjSyP3SNBcDwAZUJWFNMw16_i4ot2mo2U81YgNiO3ky1M3BmNum6b0-rTiSLJU6qNgKzCpLY8/w640-h528/Screenshot_20240108_144317_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>It was not a warm morning at the location. I got to one of my favorite painting spots and decided to paint again at this location.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2887" data-original-width="2887" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JNVDMkypgq0U2OA4rj1_8y-K_ryiVGjqFKbIXYYvj5dmx2RkSuTzuXd7D0AZJb8bx6iifzdIUMalFbHY70NoloE2Ta4wM5hqO_C_0nj0o1ba2FaywgeZtikKWKa3cPn8ZOidwUNaTO8oAykS3hRa1wEx5pXP0bGNtO8uHmSDUc-vKR0_fWzq3PnwYjEC/w400-h400/20240108_112910.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Couldn't remember how many times I've painted there before. Still, I started with a thumbnail, almost the same layout from my memory as before. I tried to use less water as it was hard to dry given the weather.<br /><br />One lady walked by me to complement my work, but she she surprised me and immediately apologized and told me that she was just walking by.<br /><br />Later some male voice was even louder behind me saying that it was a beautiful painting. That really scarred me a lot. Turned around and I saw two policemen driving by, they were kind and smiled, apologized as well. Then asked me when I started my work. I didn't really pay much attention, told them around nine o'clock.<br /><br />After they left, I realized that it might not have told them the correct time, they might misunderstand me and think I was not honest enough, oh, no....<br /><br />Saw several other artists working there too, the parking lot was almost full when I was leaving. (January 8 2024)http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-44848100167600836602024-01-15T19:31:00.000-08:002024-01-15T19:31:00.293-08:00Back to studio live model study again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="874" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWvHGELodaPrmemzKbnlvOYcEqNscNJgJz-drlemWIOT9CCoq_TUWsfv6UyWSsLPK_GdSInxmfcaGks7Sh654MY88V3HdRURhJONxzPO-zU_daHkVOsOveKtiwnQWD_Z9oWs4uLDRbFa-2F6BSEpZgECK6x9s4hLUFLWPijwUWZsLINPNaWYzDznu3av_/w640-h528/Screenshot_20240115_150520_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I went back to the studio working on live model study again after a long break. <br /><br />It felt challenging, especially the short poses. I couldn't finish one nude whole body sketch in two minutes. It was OK for the five-minute poses.<br /><br />The three-hour long pose wasn't enough time for figuring out the whole body structure. There was a very nice younger Korean female artist there that helped me a little bit during the break. Then I was able to push my work further.<br /><br />Added more hours at home painting till it looked fine basically. I don't think I should add too much time working on it, otherwise I won't able to paint my own work. (January 9 2024)http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-50573861964912431502024-01-15T17:25:00.000-08:002024-01-15T19:54:46.260-08:00Plein Air @ Santa Clara University Santa Clara CA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJV1wcqim-q6DtL9oMMK1G0-d_qDQE5EUS6LWs9wn6DvDLg0UXEQcyeKT8rE3A1ZWSS6-IxYt7MC5K57AEStTDZG70fhkAjWp_xpykejE4T5-yebhcfF9o-iRgqqj8GoM0t9pHp-zCL4sCwLdKgrtBOEGxu_u_srWxyoHZ8rAq0PGFwxNnWe_7qZabujLW/w400-h400/20240105_151011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Nice weather in the afternoon, I wanted to do something different and escape from my current "bottleneck" situation. But I realized half way to the location that I didn't bring my tripod. Lucky it was not far away to go back and get it.</div><br />All the students were on school vacation, so it was perfect timing to paint on the campus. And the winter lighting is always especially beautiful.<br /><br /><div>Found a corner of the garden and noticed that one side looked more complicated than the other one. I chose the easier side to paint, and focused on a monochromatic expression to see what could make it look different. In the end I added a small amount of color to certain objects, my work really looked different. <br /><br />I decided to stop, but might continue this way of practicing...<br /><br />Started the new year without any resolutions, but frustration that I won't able have my home studio time undisturbed, I can not get 30 minutes of meditation time in. No one is perfect for sure. Who likes having arguments for little things, and who want to repeat the same little things over and over for years? How could I get rid off all those negatives energy surrounding, those has been blocking me, </div><div><br />Actually it had been for a while that I worked on my second self-portrait. Any self-portrait is super challenging, and I know that my painting float and creative power have come from being silence, then it really has connecting my individuality to find the way to continue. <br /><br />Might be my excuses and had played games on my smart phone, it did help me not seeing and brothering by those little things, kept my figure crossed that "bottleneck" period could be gone soon, and positive and inspiring energy comes to me peacefully. Learning from life in life time! (January 5 2024)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-19457782867193938862023-12-20T04:00:00.000-08:002024-01-08T20:07:38.202-08:00Plein Air @ Home on a Rainy Day CA <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="876" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH63VcPGeHBrnCA_cIgRwylDwCy43yISAGVZ2lbQoranSN4siJe9PMxoh7i0hXjwKxvWIZ_27Uv0YGrP5rCKZgbQ7mT-6jD_GRQCIVUGm0e4tsr0OI66pj2ZKIp3ZQeH1EI59UyhbIzzV5xaY2ecerpvRZI0UX1_b8-iQsVGXU7_tft9t3WC9WhPC3rBBJ/w640-h526/Screenshot_20231219_150928_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div> Raining season finally has come. It was the challenging part of Plein Air. Rained over night, a little unpredictable during daytime, not easy for painting outdoors.<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSDNAQaUn9pnw3La_eFpM5CF-3PBZN9kuuY2U4MlX9m0nN4EEs5YGlE91VexE3fnrUV_Bh0eSJ38Zg7shLrvu5OrCx-X_QLXKLgy634lNTCH_fVXlrksvSAXIO34tpjQubHxdyfVQUFyzZOG2TyT5tPq7He4Ao3wOjmmQVvx7AefoJVhO8p1_rdryp9lJq/w400-h400/20231219_113742.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />My husband pointed out the unique clouds outside our home window this morning. Fall colors were still there, also there were cooler colors in the distance with the fogginess. Wonderful for a watercolor work I thought. <br /><br />I brought my Plein Air painting pack upstairs, and started an "indoor" plein air landscape painting. Actually, I've wanted to paint the view outside our front of the window for over a decade of living at here, especially during the winter, when the scenery looks more beautiful after most of the leaves have fallen.<br /><br />There was an orange tree in the neighbor's backyard. I changed it to a pine tree, to carry some spirit of the coming holidays since there is no snow in our location.<br /><br />I enjoyed painting inside, didn't have to suffer from the cold or hot. windy or sunburn weather... but it is more important what can inspire an artist, right? Happy Holidays! (December 19 2023)http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-45291589981795665312023-12-14T16:49:00.000-08:002023-12-14T16:51:26.958-08:00Plein Air @ Orchard Heritage Park Sunnyvale CA 加州風景寫生<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2788" data-original-width="2788" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-8KgRZaJwM73UQSw9di12K33CWMUE3Id_yOYihgqGQIwZWwXdIFxqKR54Fr9i2KW4NaaAMGpCRknQDas_FzHl8ufJreo5GMZ3A6nWB3fq68rcI5Cw2X8iDAuAn5j7-TMwXduh4bCKfGoyYVVeFC9S7oLrAwLssZ0HJIjtZB3Nd-BT_2CDsM-zyL4m_Yn/w640-h640/20231203_103239.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Good news to share for the coming up holidays, my figurative oil painting "Diary of Venus" won the 1st place in oil, juried by Pancho Jimenez at Great Bay Area Open (GBAO) "Potentiality/Actuality" biennial exhibition in the NUMU museum Los Gatos. There are many great works created by Bay Area based artists and the exhibition is open to the public at NUMU museum in Los Gatos until March 9 2024.<br /><br />I took a break from painting outdoors after Capitola Plein Air event. Of course I still paint at my home studio.<br /><br />Gorgeous day here in winter, it looked like fall. Though it was only 59 degrees, I felt warm in the sun. All foliage showing autumn leaf colors like yellow, orange, red, purple, and brown, which contrasted the blue sky and other plants of green were everywhere.<br /><br />It was great to go out and paint a day before the rainy season starts. Drove to Sunnyvale and the Heritage Park Orchard jumped into my mind. I think it is always inspiring when I drive on streets named after famous master artists like Michelangelo Dr., Rembrandt Dr., Chopin Dr. Manet Dr., Matisse Ct., Picasso Dr., etc....<br /><br />The parking lot was almost full when I arrived, looked totally different during the pandemic times when the parking lot was almost empty. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzTeivBZyrkRu0FH93x2s-Qdsl1j8pk9Me_izhaYIaOh6p4E0PvLuVdnSXLtQT8uOLktnAYjvQGwGc-df1YMDDMigNjbsWtN4zpkwICgFY9ruCTf2-9CFvDCGntGy7ACK_Vv6yxDF7Sw3wnE-0md1zzHfvUdrxAQt-u1frzfG1ZjfW7S0iDYIFDMCxJdi/w400-h400/20231213_114858.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>First I checked the store at Heritage Orchard, it had holiday decorations outside and inside as well. All the dried apricots looked delicious after being well taken care of and packed. Inflation is high as we all know in the world, especially in the Bay area. But the prices of the dried apricots were quite outrageous. For example 4 ponds of moist apricots cost $50, Sorry that was too much for me... I still asked if it would be on sale someday, and if I could use the restroom? The answers were all "NO!"<br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="858" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvMaOPMNz4QIsouc1A4-Fl2GjTSM7X0YHhX8IvPA_wTFW6JVtpBYp6iGH_i3x_TsxQOg0loLLmIniFCmor3zJvZvhV5vUgUa2nV7IYy3otkfoswYK7dUXB_8nJlVsCKkiu4evKNfpyTE8F_E1oHFdWpAt2k5J3Oasl1YFo5oXrsJ7PHEP-rtyKiKrGa0U/w400-h336/Screenshot_20231214_125520_WeChat.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Never mind. I still could use the restroom across the parking lot in the Senior Center. </div><br />Found a lovely spot to start my drawing, then painted loosely. Enjoyed the peacefulness, and imagined that it would be harvest years coming. Hopefully I could taste the apricots.... (December 13 2023)</div>http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-53614774098520421842023-11-13T18:46:00.000-08:002023-11-13T18:46:01.875-08:00Capitola Plein Air 8th Annual Art Festival 2023Laurie Hill, the organizer of Capitola Plein Air Evert, gave me a personal orientation before I started. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxbmVmwv52hJON1ruQdTSZwoaZWxGK6deLupRzei6L7dieqBfkFxbODxtSKtCFs0E05Z8b0bnS3RKhqi3Vmva6WzFmBEEFZU1Pr2moZomUoclQux8dxLPpx0MFiSI5Y2NOqtIYMiiMi0cYCWhh8ml0SFjziyAEWPARtb_QXrfSRP7e_fd_af9VIcp6224/w400-h300/20231031_141249.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Weather was perfect, I was in a rush and felt excited to start working, but forgot my parking permit. No worries, I saw a flower stand on the corner of Monterey St and Park Ave. A Mexican Lady carried a baby, and two others looked like teenage girl helpers.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69lGW80PrBaACumK7iOfJJeMudehflVi9Cjr9j4_UWOZ8mei6jRaip13E916owaRlmhP7O9cuKHzzabZdZ_c3t89296yFEPsl2_5HSHpqxwu3RyuZUaWT7w4rSU6ieQvZEY_UG5Ay4q-BTOXZvyGASdynMzshfuUWlhEXq54etAE4NSAQ-c-wXjb5tYQg/w400-h400/20231031_140515.jpg" width="400" /></a><br /><br /></div>Surprisingly, their business was very good. Every several minutes someone stopped by and bought flowers. Not mention it was Tuesday. I thought people usually buy flowers before the weekend.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="900" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzJnLJU3TQt_MocolBq0KHOQeUE0RLbdIcUhpQ-B7OC_UZ7BeP1V0W8Zat61OVokN6kKCVrVwuSqkXEq0BANeg3yyLUG1xc1oUYb_dt9-wh7XBHlbUX-dFKaOOO1maVykmjwkl3CzgpZeQDA1hsCXa3IaSQugUtbiQ3bhGasqWypcN9sXAZpLIRGwLfSDo/w640-h512/Screenshot_20231104_210104_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />After my work was done, the younger teenager asked me if it was OK to take a photo, the lady with the baby she talked to me in Spanish, which I didn't understand. They took photo, then we had photo together.<br /><br />Next day, I met a newly wed couple from Texas while I was painting outside Zelda's on the Beach. They seemed very interested in my work. I gave them the Sunday exhibition info, hopefully they would come.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinC2dvGKmnJ459TpnJ-fg0JMBp1tYr5my1WBNPD0W_Rt6zyckp0wYsKH3rvlFbAucMygZ_c8XktlvDxGrtl1Qyua8tS3YvuNTckV14bifHDpzLq3oVtI3zedaEnlGKrJwx3DbcClVYxYaCcJ_eDtH_84lrg6c2NL3UI78jfPp0MhgvKpiRITTMIKM_PMLY/w400-h400/20231101_123501.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="716" data-original-width="904" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmLozthqk_hjD4dsBFXU0Dq7QKLsShQXP0kXUorzgsTH4NWPNQ61xHP25VZc9OuPXNUXUdudY2cLNA9aWBs_TKxNNNdwXmOkVyjAdbl3BVMHG5DotAvlNfW2QqHKJyouj5XeyjiRw5j2311kwLlOnzdCbWLCZz9YkxSJOFrfANJqch98N2d0Cx6cUi-jRo/w640-h506/Screenshot_20231104_210555_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Last year I almost missed the reception at the Shadowbrook. Not this year, I planned to paint in front of the restaurant. Not a good painting, I didn't like it, and didn't put into the show later.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqx_0TOas4oxEknVnSqk2flK7y9oxKtanxWCcQxncKeRD-t1q8fmAjh0v3caukpkAHNTZQc767tpHiSJi5CXM4QGVGoyy17i5pLpOLUadDcousdZ2uSRMaeQACBoDy8XhDGxapZPmWViqPxM6-ZbXerFMGes6svOKf6QUhl5EhS2YVp04IXxMFySRkrTZb/w400-h400/20231101_153426.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />But the reception was fun. I met old friends artists and some new ones as well. Wine, food, chat and photo together, I didn't miss a little bit...<br /><br />Someone called me before I left the restaurant, it was the guy from Texas I met in the morning. He changed his cloths so I didn't recognize him.<br /><br />The next day, my husband came with me, I instantly found inspiration with all the workers working on a project to rebuild a house after the superstorm. Laurie told us about many projects were going on in Capitola to rebuild. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFlIKfBRkK0rEdDA2x1Ia__qqqPdV8pogzs652KZG6uggQ7tmGEHvJTtWamH-aqUQkhDs4eZ9XxWQEG4PZsCo0KU0319dY0T3WGA8gC5IhkgnbfRzHCWQsXVjvB4oy3IAo4G6clNr1mMtjvvO-5JmUR9viIdfgdPnGhiZX7eeCSxmSnOTP9Yknz_JhTxF4/w400-h400/20231102_131604.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Because the people and machine were moving around, I spent almost two hours barely to get what I wanted. Then working in colors was even more difficult. I thought I should just stop there, like many rebuild project going on, no need to be finished...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="900" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oXUqejJ5TLP1joO3ANU1DoVazVTuD1vV3avEAKlc7ULbp_iXKQ8lqIZ47yf-Px0RIFgnNhb4Vpz7XEVuJ3ZaIzq-GMaqExG3Yx2MWrfb9mtcnZHSnz21JV9Fol3FlpXqqEQtV-dI9kPPTjKtp7ro-TggkARtChkBmRUaNftBSBzmgimM7SbbLyG9vu-_/w640-h512/Screenshot_20231104_210418_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Later I went to paint the bridge, and decided to put a figure in my painting. Saw many other artists doing beautiful paintings. Can't wait for the exhibition day to see them all.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="885" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMaqq4UXBK2wiCZ-73fZ5j3QoxjkNfGvqPqbdPGN3L5_1W8mhe4TwulP2vYD631Nr3BoB9iRnl0iT1qDCBpJaK5WZire2KKhc9-esk7QyaHenyKUc-j_dl6GWh-v-_E_v1wsxJti1GtZ1T5zhAwTZQEStXBo5udq0qSMM9U0EnUWV60AwHyR-l83E8GUNk/w640-h520/Screenshot_20231104_210328_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Super tired, my husband drove to save my energy. Nice to have support from our little family here.<br /><br />The following day I painted at the English Ale and the Frog Guide at the Shadowbrook. Then framed and came up with titles for my paintings.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7TPMLu7MRYsCj_KBjJDgZwqo50R2gh9AERdIIO-YbMt-GIsbwN0EdDPAhA5LUh3LCd2uBpor8nRPerdw5fFZ1s0JG0LrhU7LTclfib1eSe0H_34aj2kwZMqVQUegotjs4q9kK_85sCYiFhFSYAVTuwwTPfpV-fKLLnVt1MPR5SFuIik9jEigMtoWO-Zkm/w512-h640/Screenshot_20231104_210833_WeChat.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaP8kayNCHWXz1v0mBJ3bNnH-VWVqBDGqoT8hz7dhwvIVtn6Ebnh1-KD4pp9qV9CuaK_dRUMBxpDvCPnkqyBjDgcIwUIRzV_N8WUoFm4CIpDqSvPD50rgUrMqAn2fxixJIzMSRmnfpNMV33OUiRUaP97tgS0YkTKSawq0CGvvioWk_F8hdQR1hwU7Wibw/w516-h640/Screenshot_20231104_210650_WeChat.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><br /><div>Our "Quick Draw" day on Saturday. Checked in and I painted in front of Beach, Three other artists in my view painted on the beach. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLP_BCcnT7w25bGwnCtJYq1FSoRO9Hbrej8hb1mnwGWo1z5RAYk2lyUiKeQ5ds3rnR0zxWbLdwpvl08F-4SLbrkn-vanNn0KUHTOI8AOqN1khU8KhBSDM3CgOf0qUzh9PLRzvdu_Nr1Y10PSa7DMzSEtWhwoNSJ2AY_D8QzouJPbeQcLRGV0opNL5kxgYt/w400-h400/20231104_120320.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I found out that I brought only one piece of watercolor paper, and it was not my regularly Fabriano Artistico paper, instead of a sample paper of Strathmore. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="720" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnLGf-HkAh6kVj6rREig9l-n_F5gaLpXOk-sFTbg8qlx5KTKTkXgt22kK_WtJPmPlOQ2UrUp0g2do-UhgGFcJYRHukEWoLkzhPjTKIcIvScfeW8owCHqm8qld-5z72op3dEzmlVGCBL5bDv869kGY53_A68Xp4q9NNa-UIhC9CHJiW0wOM0-7mWF5WcRze/w516-h640/Screenshot_20231104_210740_WeChat.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><br />Just as I expected that the paper was not good quality, but I survived through the long day.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3cK9BBUR8zr6SQwXA5DgE8XkqzdtydaGJnIHxEBwnrmGYjqgqMgTvY1JOl1W3VDg6retRqzYI9IRhm7JgKoSV1apFIYB0eQu-OnfAZ0Owj-fSBq7anID82BO8G9v-Yji_4xfrnHN4iIlHvQJ_zG204Yo4gg80BHzobxcOMntT-KQFeKQ4-TLKoWg8PMbJ/w300-h400/20231104_133518.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /> Sunday was our exhibition day, early morning arrived at the Community Center on Jade St. Got my Goody bag and other generous art supply samples from Mark the owner and a supporter of this event from Palace of Art and Office Supply store.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXaQMCnKE5W59wLmRazC2GwxVbbzq_Ofc0i_-6fUnLKMJQmt7oOABEcMcqXhyIZUBLvkcBwwBc-P5Z32S-mJjFbfcn1oNKMT9nZXmCm5mX2oOslgOEA3TSaJX7TnzkROFkiySgddeqLB2P8ZDwRLPNaBaCTsGz0Vshtxsr12xDlyq2yBSIdyp11U5k-k_o/w400-h400/20231105_134147.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDuwyCpwnyf4XbchNgIBdH0gB28KsjkGYXVWcPb0ksn4Oi-7fCMWa91sYEaBr6VIJjGxtsD5kwCRr3gRdD1-S2NlVigJu3spT1zL1j8tU7wZU-ym_Z91VHSMHujkRzegf51L1Izcg50JzXBVF61cRf6Wh0H9qea21oIb83bVAEtdprap5dXlbZ0B0JNz7P/w400-h400/20231105_153031.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Felt grateful I got to participate this year! Nice to see several of my friends who came by and talked to me. Appreciated many people voted my paintings as well. Wonderful opportunity to learn from other artists' award pieces too. Not many sales this year, but most of local people were very supportive. What a fantastic event Laurie organized again.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tB2sHJsPLfJhtuDaz_66w7By-o6jBRvvaChfmElxiMvwqxoQ691oP2PuVyHcf8PCm8qLrvAhETiXVWJH-C3Ecm7jCswPpbGBRfsKmQlGbbNqK6TgBMJAYOJC7ppsFaWcBAWp_l80Yu57lD-vc0boNTFQQwz9tZRdbeYuYxkHfDwBguZMW6VUfloaqkzC/w400-h400/20231105_134953.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />(November 5 2023)http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-998234936974079842023-10-19T09:38:00.000-07:002023-10-19T09:38:31.782-07:00Plein Air @ Elim Assembly of God Church Santa Clara CA 加州風景寫生 <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="895" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6TwJk5Lx8Q-xtJaQplWq0e0t5bB9SfHvxOnnyTFk54wGaj_CPB8DWMb7Lf_LZAY3hAmW0GdcY_yL5-r-dPx2dIYU-cng3AFGhf_pRcr6iXMump5fOnY_zsHcdUebPezDP6fgxtYg8ZpG_Ug-wSTuzgz46N7AnO45-1UjRWJBnEbLrpt8Y3IEC4ynxDHz/w640-h514/Screenshot_20231016_174656_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />My third time coming to paint this Gothic Revival style church. Once I painted it in the late afternoon. Today I painted in the morning.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpwyFoILvYmnqiwaWqxT5qyOhb8RDCSnVr_t2BmsjoA6Gq5V-b5kG74bZKBoNPlvZXdbNEy5ZHLOaTIqy0fsbVoH-qQf9PKTuGlCxwxy-nyfKVSHlTxtkCNvmdxtavaDH2ZBUBJ6ZoWVgjVsQekPGnmGmO7BGGRTZJApMEn7tU0fWkd5k7cAGXhEObN0O1/w400-h400/20231016_112517.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />There was a red SUV parked in front, but I had no idea when it had been switched to a white one. It was not a quite an intersection, cars and people were passing by, some of them on the bikes or other kinds of transports.<br /><br />I noticed that there was guy cleaning the front of the church, so I painted him into my work. (October 16 2023)http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-26589451280752359972023-10-13T04:35:00.007-07:002023-10-13T04:35:00.139-07:00Plein Air @ Downtown Campbell Light Rail Station CA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie6CIC_F0UB4_2DQmKbOqAe3gOUqWYiv1BrHFmZjwO6sJ2tTnU0LcI60UtoCC8hD_V5LXg-7aDdewA9YhguHpmLB5yd9y7JL_18nes7X02uYbLz1aBUnFUishxQSDchcijtciXlqah-9D6Fck44x9JrMAlfql15uDSkrSKHRBdUz0iJ4R2Wm_Gq4im7D96/w640-h640/20231012_173915.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Planned to Plein Air in the morning, but there were some household things that interrupted that plan . It was about 4pm when I set up to paint at the Downtown Campbell Light Rail Station, <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="909" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUks27pFJW6A0Z2HDxh91H0NPzDmGu7WpHTYAgelisUOR1obIzVFy4pbLOcU3qKZIDHHYiX-zn6OxqcKmTzUhKh6HzBenFkajLJVO1fFvP90ddLmNg8b_fM32oiFBj2oS2vdKOniypybIARzmKPPeubfq9l7SiGysak4V8y_oE7tsblKuswlIKdmy40Ob-/w400-h316/Screenshot_20231012_191642_WeChat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I've painted near this Light Rail Station several times over the past two years and have found it a very interesting place to paint from different angles in the morning or in the afternoon.<br /><br />For example just this red warehouse I painted from the other side in the morning on the last day of 2021. This building had a "for sale" sign on it. Today the sale sign still was on the fence, but the messiness I saw around before was all cleaned up. It is unusual that a property could be on sale for so long in Silicon Valley.<br /><br />Many times I've told myself that I should not copy what I see exactly, so today I slightly moved things around or implied things a little bit. Slowly but surely I will get there for sure one day.<br /><br />There was a condominium behind where I was painting. The residents had already decorated the patio for Halloween. I kept hearing repeated silly recorded words from an automated witch while painting. Can't wait for the Halloween parties (October 12 2023).http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-82408755072550579722023-10-07T08:35:00.001-07:002023-10-07T08:35:13.948-07:00Plein Air @ Mission San José Fremont CA 加州風景寫生<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="899" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNS42Z_LqO4O6kGT9vko6W__vyIUJBT76RZziqryFV6A34VBoQdxp6NCwnaXjBdSLy5sjUcbIMr6cIUr-m1UcD_SxtJvYoheTu_lKv7bs-pI4Pc9uDpi3qBDZQURYufYKXnyGUyHHAajXE97QOP7bhHDy9BPQrXbnSIQdH7Cl2rUQ02bkEBilkyriz6Ggt/w640-h512/Screenshot_20231006_163206_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I didn't plan where to paint today until driving down the road, I thought it should not be more than 10 miles driving, but I missed the turn and had to u-turn a couple of times. I decided to paint at Niles in Fremont again.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrl1tGS9pxbEKPtqJrdHYRJq8fejpIq95P6IOOihH45rf8NfI_hdBnsQfgKzMoRHbeylyogCs1NDC_ZM6913HnruGJ4wVhN_TkDFI1Xzu4SjoSFRR1-zBZcSi6yMRlu9uX1r0Bw5Svw2rJ7MwDW5gVvkz9ICFoUwjAnV0uhr7JkvGNttF5_V6KK4mTHC_/w400-h400/20231005_170839.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I was surprised that there was almost no traffic on #880, but the traffic started after I got on the Mission Road. I waited inside the car patiently, noticed it was 96 degrees outside. Felt the waiting time was much longer than the travel all the way here.<br /><br />Passing through the Mission San José, suddenly I remembered that I wanted to paint this gorgeous historic building each time I passed by, why not today?<br /><br />Got off the main road, parked my car, then saw a better shady spot and parked the car. Walked to see where I could paint. Then walked back to my car and re-parked near where I painted.<br /><br />It was really hot, I set up my station under an old pepper tree that gave me the most shade. It was almost 4 pm by then and I had to buy bread, the shop closed at 6pm.<br /><br />I didn't take a reference photo, and rushed into the drawing, then color. A huge caravan parked in front of my subject. Well, even though I have been painting outdoors for many years, those things happen and really there is always something unpredictable. <br /><br />My watercolor paper kept drying so fast, and it kept me busy for spraying both watercolors and the watercolor paper I worked on. I felt like I painted on the wrong side of the paper.<br /><br />I had to start packing up, and drove to the other side of the town and bought our favorite bread. The store guy told me that their shop closed at 7pm, 6pm was the pandemic closing time.<br /><br />LOL, Why should I be so in a rush on such a super hot day? (October 5 2023)<div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-55810274794906222172023-09-30T04:30:00.000-07:002023-09-30T04:30:00.149-07:00Pleinair @ Niles Community Park Fremont CA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgFuImAU2QimDhxemGAea1XnhQfQ9x3st9VNPK6T-7YoNYC7SC6ffeYMBpgdcPz3d9qFnPHWa1U0tnKQJFjCjV19u23gRpzEa__SgIkUchH6OZ-o7pnpH2HSznC7qhjP_bd58chSTXsfVbVQDdzV36MYz7_NjBovQDMt2MC4HcMvGWnCw0NvGXxuQH_-c/w640-h640/20230928_174017.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Recently I discovered this beautiful park in Niles. So I planned to paint there until sunset.<br /><br />Gorgeous fall afternoon, but I hit intolerable traffic on the way even though I thought that it was before rush hour. It was almost 4 pm after I found a spot and set up my work station.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIqXRYO3RTpYcGtlDWiMJtbThYtnMKRjv0kbLlXez2cl5JtxAtMPMfzsmHzOseUgINmVeGJU9F2dLzVRmnT4c2CJU0EVvSxCaVsbysY4ZSBr0JWRUMdvGWhx5F69kl3VW3wBYTdFeu5qIqL9r1uCScATRJrYlgqr4Ou5UQJy7A_w54GPnLBgxmLBwAsy3/w400-h320/Screenshot_20230929_145340_WeChat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />The sketch part was super easy, not much detail, but relocated the trees a little bit. After that I was struggling work with color, which I usually don't need to worry about much.<br /><br />Just because that bald mountain was getting sienna color during sunsetting, and the reflection into the water. I tried warm tone colors I carried with me, seemed that none of them worked well in this watercolor. Maybe I really should work on a value study before laying down colors instantly.<br /><br />There were a couple of guys fishing on the deck. One told me that he didn't even get a bite from a fish. Felt we had the similar unexpected result at the same location, LOL...<br /><br />The traffic was not as slow on my return thank goodness.<br />(September 28 2023)http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-62101366014645897702023-09-27T19:36:00.000-07:002023-09-27T19:36:06.743-07:00Pleinair @ near St. Clare Parish Santa Clara CA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="889" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7jhcdup1rX5X_a1N6EW5eTrcXnY2a-Cn2BzNNAgxNJLLC9NmP8TFUgWPmIX5W2-j33pYzzvgBddmqQv0J2J_btlHFSjivDkWy1fuzBVrBfAevm1n9ghel1qfXRcWnfup4KKA9qsWml1pU9iqfRwcfz7FMqlGmeSvczL8p7BhBAVyWAjyVLMi-8lq06RsI/w640-h518/Screenshot_20230927_163003_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I thought I wanted to paint the church. Then I changed my mind after I saw the light and shadows on this building were so interesting.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiK7tgC31YLrYLhweFbNCjGJ9odDluw35zuDZFyvsyqwSW6U2k8vq0SeyvmIH03t3iJLj5F7lppwvsfHmhtPWfpyMlA6M36dH8FLs5T9swJ3iVhAhB8we5eH2paW9ceOn4MbOZSYP8jdD6qLAHZzz7cbASBlDMJ3Gh7U74YvamKxFn0GHpF-w5OL8ArGvm/w400-h400/20230927_121024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Found a shady spot under a tree off the street, set up my workstation, and spent a little bit more time sketching out the details. Wish I was an architect, could get all the perspective correct in the first pass but it took a little longer.<br /><br />A college boy walking by said "good morning" and startled me because I was so focused on my work. He was very polite though and apologized.<br /><br />Later when I was almost done the painting, a lady passing by and said "so beautiful" and scared me again. I guess I haven't been out in the public painting enough lately. She apologized too, and I told her no need to worry and we chatted a bit. She had an Australian Shepherd dog with the most beautiful eyes. She told me that her dog was super-smart and sweet.<br /><br />It was a nice day to enjoy the breeze and get out into the fall air. <br /><br />(September 27 2023)http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-50267176277607197982023-08-29T04:33:00.000-07:002023-08-29T04:33:00.141-07:00Plein Air @ Almaden Lake Park SanJose CA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3i1_NY66bmw-hle5Lzd68Pssq8DebApuSSE-KdbChovgRDsaOHn1cpVccCT7hKVr6lCej4EazUrbCAe_vFCIrv1MldgaEUmYVMaiEj_AF3_jxmALbj1xcSBpLBuXTNlREt9j7CgmutFGaz2JX3kE2aV0tXJdjM59VKJgp0pS3YXDT7EHlN3Vfv-jGBYUJ/w640-h640/20230828_112937.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>My first time painting at this location. A hot day, arrived a little early, but I realized that there wasn't any easy subject for me to paint.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="915" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4OtArr_QzuWMBgTF3HDK7rTXPZZI9x1qN_RMpXwlsvJUR5JYcRvr6HFhLP41f4K_vufatjzmllnlHiAga3He1A78j_wbfcJvuj5KxChHbZJEdbH0hNziA9oQV3ciDpjAOp36W7hppXevj_POqLH1KFVOJOA7IeqBnPCUFLQsYvFllW4ce32_cACSfz9g/w400-h315/Screenshot_20230828_165540_WeChat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Did not want to waste the trip, so I dragged my painting gear and walked a while, then decided to paint from this angle. Not enough variety of features to make the scene exciting but at least there were some white birds on the water.<br /><br />It was quite a annoying with so many bees buzzing around me. I checked and cleaned up my paints in case they were attracting them. <br /><br />After my painting was done and returned home, I started to wash my painting cloths. Hopefully there won't be anything to attract insects next time. (August 28 2023)http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-23522212887092933562023-08-21T21:34:00.000-07:002023-08-21T21:34:40.840-07:00Plein Air @ Natural Bridges State Beach Santa Cruz CA <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="905" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht5LFQWiZj0rOQ-K7NJ1QrNm97caG7R8mAkpmRdRAkfZdks5MXrqrkSmkFN3rTMBYeMRUbZlm2Ojmhiizl0OiQT4SJHBYf6yDxZfatDd70H1rIkcvY86q5AfUdK-xDkLXGkFPceQYRm8gDpRJTV0UFWLIRBtmhcHEE2dPOZO-w1EoXTmIWpXP7n53LLnMh/w640-h510/Screenshot_20230821_171055_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a><br /><br /></div>I have been there a couple times before, but it was my first time painting at the location. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDh5lUGKs4xdjUZ8goKKrUNx_eIR0__xUiC4GyNnvnCmLl4bIO1q2ngXhLNz-orIOFUQdg6UV42VhlpGsIMN7mHj6am6E4i7ufYjqbrw5fxzePXDY9RttKf9UpBLhGEPGSmTNZfSs3PlbrARtY7gJyWhTgDKju-LIaswKZL3C5O2yK0_sZ7CjNPfJhKoj4/w400-h400/20230821_123623.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>A gray day, drove on the winding highway 17 for about an hour, met up with several other artists at the parking lot of Natural Bridge State Beach. We found our own spots and started painting. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-YH-aoaY15Ik0hNMIG9z3ZEj-frTTyKgTlfwwClMmD30i96nfQMOgjj4qpJVYp2t6H1o1CEZKX8-iBJSXrTetgg-4tl-ULKLx6hwOyJQAy0btNd6paSxjtvlJsrlkXTwwBMUFttMoy5IYkflTwAUsIa0M3tFkhTrH9y80uA4a0D1XaT353cNtyexzGsm/w400-h400/20230821_122536.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The spot I got was under eucalyptus tree branch, but at a higher level so I was able to see the Natural Bridge better.<br /></p><p>I asked a lady who carried a bucket, thought she was a fisherman. But she told me that she picked up garbage on the beach as volunteer before her work. So I drew her into my painting. Later I saw another lady doing the same thing. How wonderful!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qRGzKbMQTColqXSc0g8IZcLNfk_ViweG28ZcpmNlj7XXKCZ2ZBHzKP6jxNIeKAZNL13Oex0OLVpJoXDfkoUULYM2Ph5k_vZxcDHMi-NTnkFlnBjBmA9s-CnlblvkW9arkXtMKi9RbsmSBe2AWmkhA3VHj1tZCtM7i-ldVI_RhDnSf-TvIJpir730emRa/w400-h400/20230821_124726.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I removed my paints with honey medium already, as I'm not sure which paint attract honey bees. But I still got many bee visitors while I was painting. And a spider visitor too.<br /><br />Unfortunately, one of the artist got stung by a "yellow jacket". Seemed she was OK, moved to a new spot and painted another painting.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga3rX8XQxU27Zb9_MtpTpfWJOtmCilbEeIbZ0NB7T8IbHiC29r1v4eQ24tPR9g1OhANTk_qo3flaO_1xS9jTQWpE1pJJw_JT4uIDeZprDY5gYovjDCf8-E7HX5ZsiuV0JUeZ45rmkOQAazXnfIR9oKwDYQSwF7iV9gK_-GOoec-8V4NN-CNwosSAOPYqk2/w400-h400/20230821_120425.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I saw a eucalyptus leaf in an artist's top pocket, she told me that she used that trick to avoid insects. Great idea, I will keep it in my mind for the future when painting out.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVA5CLJ13QowDWRlLf9GQeARwi5aZJGSXARIQU9fSyXDvs8ZmPKMIAcPMh0tIljJrRWXQkN4rp7etwH-uYmF91bdnPSrt-nwmOyZ7RWhU-JrDRNr0_4ptzjStkUBU04Zb3OFgksWmMho8bLZO545LuUDYAqNpyTEfdvMYU52K4N2Kuv_N1VkUw0PygnPlP/w400-h400/20230821_130348.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I reworked on painting 3 times before I was satisfied with the contrast and tone.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawEKHXOXu-mV-5EnXCHBLkVSIS61jsUJDtnWLI1_f080nIHWDbYsv7D_y4gLT_13Qt9p_efQ-gliQ9tB6Ctesj9r1L95DUtRXe1Ur11SgP07xQQeLd8s9MiwrxVDzOOQ-07kIylNpRIn8DbgzUTqyUspV6g6aBo9zcr9DLwoBjsmfmNaQS-Bs1UXQPQAa/w400-h400/20230821_130341.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Finished up around 1pm, it started ranging and half of the way back home. What an early rain! (August 21 2023)<br />http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-66380981418301986862023-08-16T18:30:00.002-07:002023-08-16T18:31:37.003-07:00Plein Air @ Redwood City Marina San Mateo CA 加州風景寫生<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="896" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4gKz9sJmNOsuIkhPshnlHEK1NcjoFPus1fmu_KnjuOxOnKOvxnwploiXrTm2ZJDSROOWgO_Grdnh4ngExt7R7meiiuorBPDjIudjphw8B0LmSyfyKTqWfpDkF0H2FJ_UDzNCKFKSXcZ5ouwXbMUbSp1f7wOULXvMxWRGNNcuCOtsU6D8obH7XENFdwQX0/w640-h514/Screenshot_20230816_161903_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />We always have an "Indian Summer" and it has been hot days for weeks. I decided to go to the Port because there was a subject I wanted to paint at the same spot, but from a different angle.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivVN0i4zioqweIxqQ8d4Z2wKtIYm31Qgk87uI9RAnl7cRfY-SMhpsydDUDDhdOIOJOdtvy3e0gwsaSj1qt6qmmRa6qjHdoTfSobL1XCAef7rUImfQ8l9SjSvAuDkH5IvIm0ysjyC8h0gPCqoueuyrPzzqOWaPtSfUMYPtJMF9MiqwkLmnXXP8B9l1rAtHb/w400-h400/20230816_120348.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />I set up my work station and started on the drawing, which took me a little longer to finish. Because I wanted to try a different color palette, I hesitated to start. Also, there was only one boat next to the dock when I was here before, but many were parked there this morning. <br /><br />I have been thinking to use fewer colors for a long time, my first time to give it a try. The result seemed OK, better than I expected. Basically I wanted to focus on the value of the scene.<br /><br />It was getting windy around noon, and I finished up my work and packed up. Walked a bit around the port and discovered more subjects to paint. I will be back again for sure. (August 16 2023)http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-37392648944370701142023-08-14T18:40:00.000-07:002023-08-14T18:40:44.094-07:00Plein Air @ Edenvale Gardens Regional Park San Jose CA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="883" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HoLN7jb2ouuKVGu86Cs-KovjTrgxdqga94UqdHWxJtXn_YBXcqdx1mdCJHSs2deLN6cLFb23uNTqTpKXVZ70uWPM_G60CrO06H1nJNMuexYShjuMbRf7yZLYe0HnHKd0dGmfeSqot_8MMxGi0-JoDIUgtlvF2Vpm6atRQl2bGGHGMIrgtHihGvbQxmKX/w640-h522/Screenshot_20230814_173811_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Nice morning, but it was grey and hot on location. It was my second time coming here to paint the Hayes Mansion. It is a historic location but now it is Hilton Hotel. I found a spot on the patio and painted the view from that perspective.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1mNEveiYSj3AOnNLoaMwNlbiaN7AfKW9OZ0e_xpMpYI0ZGINDTSYb_Dry1HCqNOqvVVH7sIszYRC9CwiZgXNkIGvRvaBBwAdUJKtF7aUfxla0u-qx0Zka6BCCBLxSjm5qXySjZNB23BSYmQ5VORn2y6l9AdbH-2njsXsWkmDIr0nkP0IIWoaxWp1M0h4T/w400-h400/20230814_115148.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>The angle I tried to paint was not easy to capture, especially on a grey day, because the light and shadow wasn't clear. Luckily, the, sun came out around noon, so I got a chance to correct my work a little bit.</div><br />Later, I saw several old friends who were also Plein Air artists and we chatted. They gave me some good feedback.</div><div><br /><br />(August 14 2023)</div>http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-85728137117431850292023-07-31T20:22:00.000-07:002023-07-31T20:22:11.560-07:00Plein Air @ Shoreline Lake Boathouse Mountain View CA 加州風景寫生<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="883" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbi9tbA1Ok6ogCla3b5Ew_1_K6hzvZVeHf5x7d0SZNI11FFjypnNa0rJqb3EXDUyj8RyvnKv1R3rLXT5sQPFomCnxTyAYo4D1bHLthGKkAmaMbt7cWJPwXxGyU4_WMgzaP16yWHUYaocl8WJFaHxgXCUvGo9JeDB5Lbakqr-ppAfvFoQlqhGAxBqDZ_eu/w640-h522/Screenshot_20230731_155623_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>It was a nice day, and I painted with local artists at the location.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxYj4V1GggBW5Sts4ZPXmXGYSjzoY8ig3lrM27TUs6mvUYl-E4-PJ1BjiB8cQnI5zzIiI9NybcfpRtYQJplav0aZuiOne1SGmpR29IQ9bTfECLbQSbZoX9mKl5wKwZ0nCC4Z6Vy2LG7o_bCueLri_wWGLRVvu2U7VneA--q3HGdbZJtVJvL6qAllbEG8sA/w400-h400/20230731_120109.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I set up my workstation near a cabin where a summer camp employee was watching over the lake to keep the boaters safe. I used the cabin's shade to paint comfortably.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicpeKTLiocxEmPflwzldNzdHqocs9OGsi84NoSia6s46IBuvCiU4YJIfKOUkU6TDkMjR02XxP3pQ6feeEK9dr9VkwH0jHb9HSKBhuEF8xI2_YRqrDP8n4u3R7Xm-du5DEUrxpR-3X-4aTkIvR7u-eFAbkl6JG-ZcM0d72EFb8ZEaZFIsL2nKgrSSmzUTok/w400-h400/20230731_122646.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The place was busy with many kids attending the summer camp, and they all seemed happy. I noticed some teenagers working there, not much older than the kids having fun.</p><p>I overheard a seventeen-year-old boy telling others that he was going to join the Navy program for college. The others looked at him with envy and admiration. The boys in charge were young but behaved like adults, helping the kids enjoy sailing and giving them snacks.</p><p>After finishing my painting, I walked around to see other artists' work. To my surprise, I saw Will painting there. I went to say Hi. I had met him last May during the Plein Air event in Carmel.</p><p>He was nice and kind and encouraging of my work. He helped two other artists by making little corrections for them. He spent too much time helping others because the light changed before he had a chance to finish his own painting.</p><p>By now, the light had changed, and it was noon. Time to go home... (July 31, 2023)</p>http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-8006411901205894552023-07-27T17:55:00.008-07:002023-07-31T17:55:30.929-07:00Plein Air @ Redwood City Marina San Mateo CA<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBp21H5IaV1Xw9UU2DMdkccsm6HrMcRrWwlgtJCGKnTO_RNbfT-noCu12cV_6oIb4CvW9PuT8quHJJNjz_kMTt9a2RZ-1aNSqgq9VGPgWwDaGZ5-cMdRXuKwt31_r7iEZ6h234ORIjKmDLbqqf6KOULmIUTuzJbci9KulUsXraVQrmySl_qClG2qhTsGmC/s888/Screenshot_20230727_145625_WeChat.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="888" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBp21H5IaV1Xw9UU2DMdkccsm6HrMcRrWwlgtJCGKnTO_RNbfT-noCu12cV_6oIb4CvW9PuT8quHJJNjz_kMTt9a2RZ-1aNSqgq9VGPgWwDaGZ5-cMdRXuKwt31_r7iEZ6h234ORIjKmDLbqqf6KOULmIUTuzJbci9KulUsXraVQrmySl_qClG2qhTsGmC/w640-h518/Screenshot_20230727_145625_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br />It was a nice day, but quite windy at the shore. Fortunately, I found a big tree to block the wind, and it worked very well.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWkGPk-xbJg2aqcIzjTiWebTlZ_T8nZGQdpvjqHLL23wfOiCteKGaKCfalmGAuBk7oF-3POFUxdQ7EmVb6Za62DznbdpLK0xqAyuzKbvwU9zjQO5ZePhn-83yI10tb6aTnF-t9AwSLDoY9NIpKfVarGxwtGzNjoRESwc4_KbSiIPNim5WdazM3-1UipNp/s2992/20230727_123245.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeWkGPk-xbJg2aqcIzjTiWebTlZ_T8nZGQdpvjqHLL23wfOiCteKGaKCfalmGAuBk7oF-3POFUxdQ7EmVb6Za62DznbdpLK0xqAyuzKbvwU9zjQO5ZePhn-83yI10tb6aTnF-t9AwSLDoY9NIpKfVarGxwtGzNjoRESwc4_KbSiIPNim5WdazM3-1UipNp/w400-h400/20230727_123245.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />As I painted, a lady with her very sweet ten-year-old dog passed by and said Hi. The dog was friendly and didn't want to leave.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FlHtb-0BceIMKA-X0HLV77Q2uDAxymjZ8hZVWeLFeyGKaTnunX2bUUA4V7geCQRI6cdU0XfLNCW17N3D9qWbA3nSjF6XIeK-in3HI7LjvjNaTNqETLXS3R12Zslk7ahEkRSL-l-J9m6FkMiyqwsVuOlkYlm1R6cenPbekrOOV7Jz1jSxrLDCZtISeYbY/s2880/20230727_174502.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="2880" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1FlHtb-0BceIMKA-X0HLV77Q2uDAxymjZ8hZVWeLFeyGKaTnunX2bUUA4V7geCQRI6cdU0XfLNCW17N3D9qWbA3nSjF6XIeK-in3HI7LjvjNaTNqETLXS3R12Zslk7ahEkRSL-l-J9m6FkMiyqwsVuOlkYlm1R6cenPbekrOOV7Jz1jSxrLDCZtISeYbY/w640-h640/20230727_174502.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I really wanted to pet her dog, but I knew that some paints are not good for animals and I had my rubber gloves on. So, I stopped and just watched them while chatting with the lady.<br /><br />After finishing the drawing, I hesitated on where to start with my work on the boats.<br /><br />Feeling a bit stuck, I decided to change to a bigger brush and covered the small details, then worked backwards to find the detail again. It looked better than when I started.<br /><br />As the wind grew stronger, it was time to go home.<br /><br />Last year, before the Alameda Plein Air Event, I painted at the Port of Redwood City. Unfortunately, I missed the application deadline this year, so I won't be able to attend it. (July 27, 2023)</div>http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-9125044828506836612023-07-17T21:00:00.000-07:002023-07-17T21:00:40.406-07:00Plein Air @ The Old Town Los Gatos CA <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="900" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs9hHr13lknNuAKUTzeeGkQ9U66ceChqOnNwqXt5cyLJREACAhrRrNXXj3IflxwqNZtHYPFwq832964l9zkBDVTzySAFtliRO3B4I99pyP6Blny0zZUB3Ch93OblRxN4HKnHy3e3eVLkJ07xUpq5r4KW77Q6tscJS9JpHlKI00s5rhPGrplTsb-xxhvoRi/w640-h512/Screenshot_20230717_184949_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Before embarking on Plein Air painting, I had the opportunity to witness several artists creating their masterpieces outdoors during the summer of 2017. This experience sparked a strong desire within me to someday capture the essence of this unique architecture through my own artwork.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfsM3QDaKgerXB7mTKV_8dY2jgOfsQVG9Zh91gzOCJbTYDDF-9jDAbyTzvXH7G3U_M-9edizIQ_DX2VTCZCWqyoIu6dQERteeHxcnekysfXvpDY6mHhFRsU4UrFSxkkYT-cvrW1hSBupseUesWIC9x_srv8uBblzWHnxx9kt0c7D3hoh-fY3o8WaDwRXM/w400-h400/20230717_111553.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Years later, I finally found myself at the desired location, ready to set up my work station on a scorching morning. It was no easy task finding a suitable spot due to the obstructing trees blocking my view.<br /><br />Without sketching a preliminary outline, I faced the challenge of depicting the intricate details of the building. To make matters more interesting, there were workers painting the adjacent structure. Aware of the limited time available, I knew I had to complete my work as swiftly as possible.<br /><br />After struggling momentarily with the initial sketch, I swiftly applied watercolors while standing in the middle of a narrow lane. A kind local lady informed me that Mondays tended to be quiet, and she didn't anticipate any vehicles passing by.<br /><br />The people around me were amiable and considerate. However, upon hearing the approaching sound of an electric car, I promptly gathered my belongings, apologized, and the two ladies graciously allowed me to resume my work from the safety of their vehicle.<br /><br />With a sense of urgency, I managed to complete the painting before noon, as the temperature continued to rise on this scorching. (July 17, 2023)http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-25892384926932801992023-07-13T18:25:00.003-07:002023-07-13T19:46:55.427-07:00Plein Air @ Panther Beach Santa Cruz CA 加州風景寫生<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3585" data-original-width="2688" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtpT_DcPArlt_RLgq2Z9rzX2P4zLgvDODgINN0k-rgSyCxJt0fSkXNggstVpRtNqC8Km2KDUlMkWHE3D58c7_qWCBERgsqiue2RUEBoZoTKIfIWcj2Jmr6OKFTS3m_N8ttX2PiqVKsQYvG7E9qa-EWaaVrP-sOLZZD4wh9yoP615RHfCyPprxliTTv0VqT/w480-h640/20230712_121245.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Our summer starts late than in most locations, but it finally has arrived. It was almost 90 F degrees, seemed that it was a perfect day went to beach and paint with friends to get my motivation back.<div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1086" data-original-width="1465" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_tAtgSY0Zj_H-Yx5XdNtbdiRnDu_MxDN83lH5-1cVRqrRrSWxhjBQAXcmTMEXviMWP3xijbSciwma22LLaNc0yvUAfabfS8vC74vr7AYuUfzKGnSNMvRK_Qb_QnmsvzR0uOk-ik3mwbwwdUWOtrnD3AXHxr3K-wByU8Wbc77YtXgMmGAcITDEduNbQtQ/w400-h296/mmexport1689284422657.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div>I checked the weather report, but it never tells the right coastal weather condition. It showed only 57 F degrees when I drove to Santa Cruz. I hesitated but knew I should continue. I didn't want to come out of my car after I arrived.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNxyto26fVjXhmxkJIRU-MAqW9Zk2dNO42IQQwmezI2DGGehvMkPx3caLlLYUAmko3NS-sp3_L1XyEXWPucxb-2vzfG_ICHH8ZH_sVRbzyYaUzjYxFCAxPZqcl8B3uvCTUXYwrcSLrpoZf6zJuZ0WINa_YGp4rSvbJSsV1tv8F6LTvwEemipkQlClAgZY8/w400-h400/20230712_135116.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />There were a local store next to the Cabrillo Highway near the Panther Beach. I pulled over because I wanted to use the restroom. Not surprised that I had to buy something before I got the key. Checked out the store, mostly vegetables and fruits that were quite costly, some of them from local and looked fresh. I bought a large beet with leaves on it. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="860" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHmjOjdy_q56XfFcPe-ZwWXEHkXUXEoLfPSKcX8wYpB3qT7hAc04UwW80OK9iv8VHNvrk80pj2XE4gCaJktY0jdccb51axcIDLlTUMosf6p43bQnBCm7kgCYsxEw-JHIQM7Dl7dRZiNsRoJZqzVxqUjLMoNKIBbKXjxMJbpRALbZcdEfmr59zwjNcjZ9HY/w400-h335/Screenshot_20230713_165411_WeChat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div>I was told that I was not allowed to park in front of the store, than I moved my car to park cross the High Way #1. <br /><br />Didn't see my artist friends yet, I decided to walk to the beach to check where I could paint. It was not an easy way to walk down to the beach, the way was narrow and had a drain pipe to navigate around. I guessed that curious people like me to make used it as a "road". Lucky I didn't bring my gear, hardly made it down, it was super-slippery, uneven surface. I had to used my hands carefully help myself to the beach. <br /><br />There was only me to see the whole beach, and I realized that it was my first time being there. Of course I had to check out how the beach was through the whole. Than I saw three more people in the distance. I enjoyed the peaceful moment, walked around the beach, took some footages, discovered another deep and dark whole. Because of the water surrounded, I won't able to check it inside.<br /><br />Found another easier way walk back to the road level. Saw a family with three kids carried a lot of food, trying the way like I did. Instantly, I suggested them the better way I walked back. Hope they enjoyed the day there. <br /><br />Walking on the beach and climbing the both ways already made me tired. Set up my working station not far from where I parked the car. This spot was not as windy as the other places, and the view was beautiful. I believed that I wasn't the only artist and painted there, because the plants were died and dried on the ground.<br /><br />Started a sketch as usual, before I started my watercolor painting. my artist friend found me and later she and her former AAU teacher Berry we painted at the same spot. Another artist couple painted not far from us. (July 12 2023)</div>http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-73008172164170171832023-07-01T15:25:00.002-07:002023-07-01T15:25:22.167-07:00Plein Air @ again Santa Clara Adult Education CA <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="891" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiueKHM5mwy4eTiM8E85pAGJOJj7i1U3xO2yykhy01GgeQVpzGarVsM-SpXn0ZmrjxZ4Bu1_O4a-oFGKgwMaMIc6vl4FPRcn4EqKrasUPgyaPYnLauxd1QeJXuEf6jsQFU0RLVoE4nwqUB2W6ZfIC3gi3JTDvsZRsG4ARhveT9y62mPGp6pdLMahDtB-aXf/w640-h518/Screenshot_20230630_145506_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />I didn't want to miss another nice day, and went back to the same place where I painted last week. But I moved the position of the scene a little further away so I was able to paint the pink building of the Carmelite Monastery, and the super-blooming oleanders.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCNjW4dpbw02-WUJ2ByJuxyLnBhNf_Bcx3_LCV7c8kwInqIZ8dKvsVD8uAQP0evbHHWSqGb9k87QWEEiJ3csZiwLD2VvaGQMBzg4sv9cnb4JZQxMVnbJ4KJ0YIlInViCCxYIoFHMt4lRyH8r-Ti-SckObWtRCg8d0APv1_aZQ6cG8deyLFS2Ch_guK-ID/w400-h400/20230628_172648.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />After setting up my work gear, I saw the red truck parking at the same spot I had missed to paint last week. I really had a moment and wanted to paint it again.<br /><br />I saw a senior guy pass by pulling a wagon when I started on my work. Hours later he came back again with his wagon almost full and asked if he could have a peak at my work.<p>Of course I told him, and we introduced ourselves to one and other. His name was Hall, and he lived nearby. Shopping with a wagon, what a great idea and healthy way to go about it. (June 29 2023)</p>http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5387386996123589503.post-75671373114692530242023-06-20T20:48:00.002-07:002023-06-28T18:44:57.850-07:00Plein Air @ Santa Clara Adult Education CA <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="894" height="516" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RZZQejgdxwX3E7jOAFGasYwmBU3UzHs5w-vr5MVv7HEvgdvUMckbjbc-dhYwP0HzJgfmDRWH4j4YRXfn4kw89LaVRCkFa5uMpDkLjWpnwKuQ4bg5OickV2NPf4CmIyw67QodS8ZEuX6enCA8wK7k9MQnWXS2EKS1ROc25cAcEtWw8Enh9f5ATqeYsPIu/w640-h516/Screenshot_20230620_194657_WeChat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I was attracted by the red truck and the bougainvillea flowers hanging on the wall, the color combination matched well at the parking lot of the adult school. Found a shady spot and started to draw a small sketch first.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2992" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnEHqdQEHP4oFLlxbAx2k66JEicGZn-KylGX22Lm4icGYxx_eWGJejAYatxdGNF6PHjLi6reIIWGaj4SqrJN7AzsLZR-jV0qiyeyqjiatpMzqpQNIwg0fTMHKmApsVeJVvX9tSAvrCspkbWj8HBhlxax0qbJBKFtG07kHYgAARYvH9NtYKh3U4DHMn8ID9/w400-h400/20230620_165306.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />It was a lovely afternoon. Didn't check the weather carefully, and I forgot that it isn't easy to paint outdoors when it is windy. <br /><br />A lady was passing by, and told me that there was a painting class if I wanted to learn. She must be a passionate educator I thought. And she said that an art instructor taught two classes, one in watercolor, the other one was acrylic. <br /><br />I told her that I would love to pass the info if anyone I know would like to learn. But I didn't mentioned that I would write it in my blog. Because there are hundreds of visitors that visit my blog daily.<br /><br />Another thing I should know better after years' outdoor painting experience, is that I should paint unpredictable subjects that can move without notice, like the truck LOL...(June 20 2023)http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/http://www.blogger.com/profile/09848149320292579999noreply@blogger.com0San Francisco, CA, USA37.7749295 -122.41941559.4646956638211535 -157.5756655 66.085163336178852 -87.2631655