Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Beautiful weather and went back to the Rose Garden in San Jose with a group of locacale artists.  This 5.5–acre Municipal Rose Garden is in full bloom with thousands of roses. It is named "America's Best Rose Garden." I have been here to paint a couple of times as I remember.  I hesitated to decide what to paint in such a lovely place.  I did a water fountain painting and the flowers arches before.   Saw another artist passing by, after chatting a little bit with her, I made up my mind to paint the artches again, and put her into my work. It still felt a little chilly in the shade while I was painting.  Another painter I just met named Allen was giving me a little feedback.  Always nice to hear other's opions. I wonder why I feel tired easier, the pollen made my eyes itchy and sensitive, and my whole body was fighting with it even though I was well protected with mask and sunglasses.  Finished around noon.  (May 13 2024)

Caught up with some housework this morning. I had no idea why both my body and brain are trying to convince me in many ways not going out painting. But it was a gorgeous day out, I knew that I must go out and paint. Finally, I dragged myself and gear out the door around 2:30pm. Such a lovely day, about 75 degrees. Walked around in the lovely rose garden, took several deep breaths, enjoyed the beautiful garden with thousands of blooming roses. I saw a girl reading a book on the grass with the arched arbors and roses behind her, so I painted that. Of course, she had changed her position many times. Practicing figure drawing really helped me to let her fit into my work, not overdid it. (September 29 2021)

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