Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

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. 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. 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. 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'...

My first time going to this park next to Vasona Lake County Park.  Nice fall afternoon with warm sunshine.  My artist friend guided me to this lovely spot with a railway racks in front of the old buildings.  Instantly a huge "wildcat" moving on the roof scared me.  Haha, there was Halloween decoration for the kids.  We set up our equipment and started to paint.  It was a quiet park, some people walking around, some of them took their dogs.  They gave us some compliments.  After our work was done, walked around and found several paintable spots for coming back to do more paintings.  (October 27 2022)

After picking my painting up which showed at NUMUNew Museum, chatted with a couple of artists. I painted at a corner of downtown Los Gatos too. It looked busy, not sure because it was Sunday noon or since masks are no longer required in public in California. Soon, most of the restaurants were occupied by many people. Some passing by me complimented my work, though it was not finished yet. I appreciate all the encouragement. A couple crossed the street to look at my work, they were a little bit disappointed that I didn't paint their restaurant. I told them that I will do it next time, and they said they prefer to wait till their patio is done. (March 13 2022)

Nice day, felt relaxed after seven days participating in the Capitola 6th Annual Plein Air Event.  My first time painting at the location. Met several artists I hadn't seen for a long time.  One even said "Nice to meet you", because she could not figure out who I was under my mask. Only two hours parking permitted, happy with my quick work. Went home tried to catch up with all week's house work. (November 8 2021)

My husband had a work event to join. I thought it was a beautiful place to paint. Gorgeous hot afternoon, couldn't fine any shady spot to paint. I had to use my Plein Air umbrella which was quite small. Every brush stroke I put it on the paper was drying so fast. Bees kept hanging around me, I think they were attracted to honey in my paints, but finally I had to spray myself with organic bug spray so I could continue uninterrupted. Not really sure if I liked the way it turned out, but my practice is was counts. (June 25 2021)

Rainy day I didn't get up as early as usual. Checked my messages in bed, an artist invited me to Plein Air together. Weather report showed there was no rain between 10am and 3pm. I jumped out of bed, had a simple, quick breakfast and drove to the location. Paid $6 for parking just to save time. Usually I'd rather park in the street and walk into the park. Unfortunately I forgot my tripod, funny thing I thought about to leave an extra tripod in my car last night, but I didn't... I used my car trunk as a temporary table to work on the painting. Beautiful sunlight. There were colorful fall leaves on the trees and on the ground. Didn't prepare for the rain, soon it started raining. I tried to continue, but the rain fell down heavily. Well, I had to leave the park, not get enough time to justify the parking fee, but luckily I parked inside the park, otherwise I would have been soaked, lol...

It was beautiful in the mountains, moistness in the distance felt connected with the dramatic clouds. The temperature suddenly dropped down overnight from a hot Indian summer to winter, under 60 degrees. Luckily I brought my winter jacket, didn't feel even a little bit hot after I put it and while painting till 1pm. After the first painting, I noticed that there was a composition problem so I had to paint the second one. I didn't bring extra water, using the dirty water to paint my second wasn't easy in watercolors. I painted directly on the paper with with a brush and the left over dirty water, thought it would help me paint loosely. But it ended up another painting with a compositional issue... Time to go home, I drove the wrong direction in the mountains, but my car GPS and Google map didn't mention to me, only the time and miles showed me the extra minutes and extra miles. Maybe I should start hibernating, lol...

Painting could be fun and meaningful. A couple of friends we hadn't seen each other for a long time decided to have a vegetarian potluck Plein Air party today. We chatted and had lunch together until the rain stopped, but it was still very cold. Luckily I brought my down jacket with me this morning. I had it on the whole time I was there. We had great time, surely will do it again.

It started a grey day, went to this paintable ranch, felt chilly. Did a small study sketch, it didn't help me for some reason. Well, I guessed that it was one of the days I just could not paint, two paintings in a row all failed. Sun came out, walked around the property, took some photos, young cows nearby looking at me. One goat mom with two kids they were calling each other... A wonderful Californian ranch life, the moment inspired me to paint the third one, and I added the goats into it after came home. (May 6 2019)

Raining for days, working @ my studio... Finally my old color palette is fallen apart. First, the 2 lids were broken, one was the lid of the container, and the other one was for covering the paints area. Then the side of the box was broken. So I glued everything back together. I have been using it on and off at studio and outdoors at least 15 years I believe. Though I had bought a few different palettes, still this is my most favorite one, functional and light in weight. I don't need too many colors, and I love it has large and deep area holding each color, it is just the simple right size for me. This time I won't able to glue everything back again unfortunately, have to let it go... My new order is on the way...

First time I came to this park. Unfortunately, the road inside the park was closed. There was too much rain recently, I guess. I didn't want to give it up though so I found a neighborhood that looked interesting to paint on the outside road. That was what I did today, not easy in a gray day though. Usually I would bring the masking fluid and salt. I didn't have them with me today so I had to paint carefully. But I am not sure if I like the result. Only thing that I'm sure of is to keep doing it.

It was a gray, cold and rainy day. Went to a local artist's house for painting. It was a beautiful property with gorgeous landscaping. Hard to make a decision where to paint... Painted from this angle, I could imagine if it were a sunny day, the light and shadows could make a big difference. My watercolor refused to dry, so I had to stop... And we had a delicious lunch there. Thanks very much for such great hospitality!

It wasn't a smooth day for sure. Sunny and 65 degrees, perfect for painting outdoors today. I was a little bit behind to start such a lovely day. Trusted Google maps, thought that it could help me to get the location quicker, though I knew the place. Who knew Google maps had directed me to the highway, really not necessary, and added 5 miles more to my trip. After arrived, I tried to find a parking spot, couldn't believe that it took me a while to park my car in the normally tranquil parking lot in the morning. Then I tried to find the local public bathroom which was locked, and most of the restaurants were not opened yet. I dragged my painting stuff across the road, suddenly I fell in middle of the street, hard to get up because I fell in an unusual position. Luckily there was not many cars at that moment. Two ladies came and asked me kindly if I was OK. One was a shopper, the other one worked for a just opened shop along side the road. I thanked them and told them that I a...

Please view my online galleries @ https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/index.html?tab=galleries This morning painted at a private property in Los Gatos, I was fascinated by the shadow of tree leaves on my paper. I will try to paint abstracts someday, I always want to... Ultramarine blue is always one of my most favorite colors on my palette and in life. I just realize that I have almost run out, have already ordered a new watercolor tube last Friday, keeping my fingers crossed that it will be delivered this week. I don't think I could live without it, especially for the Alameda Plein Air event I am participating in next week. Wish me luck!

My 2nd time I've come here to paint at this beautiful private estate in the Santa Cruz mountains. The owner lady was warm and energetic! The 20 acre estate has three ponds, a beautiful home, amazing flower gardens, vegetable garden, redwood trees, and sculptures, etc.. She has a new project, there will be another lovely garden for hummingbirds and butterflies. I saw many kids' drawing beautiful cars. But I was struggling from the very beginning of the drawing, till came back home studio to fix this antique car. I kept telling myself that they were only shapes, but not sure why I had such a difficult time painting today. Please view my online galleries @  https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/index.html?tab=galleries

It was raining in the morning, I thought that I couldn't paint out, might be stay in bed a little longer... Ended up Google maps directed me to a wrong location. Finally, I found out that we painted warm and dry with the other artists at an artist's gorgeous home. I felt regret that I had chosen today as my first fasting day of the new year. In addition to the wonderful people, there was delicious food, wine and snacks served at this artist's home. Sun came out finally, everything looked more beautiful, but my still life painting wasn't finished... My original artwork @ http://xueling-zou.pixels.com/