Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

"Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." - Buddha (Please click the image to enlarge) This true story really touches me, so I'v decided to share it with the people who create art or love art. Photography is not my main purpose, being an independent artist I've taken many photos for my painting references everywhere I go for owning the copyrights. This was one of photos I took at a temple in San Francisco a couple years ago. Lights are Yang energy in FengShui. I thought it was positive, auspicious, and posted it on my website to share. Two month ago, I received a message from a friend on Facebook: "Hi Xueling, I need some professional advice. Here is the story, My sweet daughter, Alyssa Tabit, lives in LA. Last October she went with her boyfriend to Ohio for a wedding. We received a devastating call on the morning of October 7th. Our daughter

Magpies are believed to be one of the most intelligent of all animals. In Chinese culture, the magpie is an auspicious bird (the opposite of the crow) which has been depicted in art and literature for thousands of years of history. Magpies appear in the most happy events, representing positive energy for new years celebrations, festivals, birthdays, marriages, anniversaries, and any good news, etc.. I designed "Magpie Singing at the Bath" by adding many auspicious symbolic items, like bamboo (longevity, the spirit of scholars), water(prosperity, opportunity, wealth), and full moon (joyful reunion, especially for family and lovers) against the auspicious red/orange colors in the background expressing good luck, or good news coming from hearing the singing of a magpie, or even better seeing one. February 10, 2012 is the first day of lunar year of the Snake. Chinese usually begin the day by offering prayers and welcoming the gods of heaven and earth. Everyone tries to get there

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