Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

My terrible memory put a Plein Air exhibit organized by local Chinese artists group. I went to see the opening at their show, many great works of eight artists. I didn't want to miss the chance to Plein Air with them. I was well prepared from a hot summer place to be in a winter climate, though it was only 40 plus miles away at the Moss Beach. My car needed to be charged in Downtown Half Moon Bay, because there was no other charging stations nearby. I did my first painting there with my down jacket on. Didn't realized that it was getting crowed around noon, it was an empty town in the morning when I arrived. My painting got many compliment by the passengers. Prefect time, my work was done and my car was charged. It was a gray day, and drove several miles to the Moss Beach. My first time to be the location, and ate a little snacks in my car. I could tell the temperature was just like winter outside, and had my light wind blocker on, pull my gear up to the hill to meet ot

Today I was supposed to meet up and paint with other artists near the La Honda Open Space Preserve parking lot #22. But there were several road work construction projects on the way, not mention it was a narrow curvy road, and bike people were on the same road too. Not sure if the Google map or my car GPS wasn't clear on the directions, but I got lost many times before around #280 and in the mountains etc. not today. I knew I was late, so I decided to paint at a red barn that was on the way, which I wanted to paint it for years. Painted under my hatchback for a little bit shade, looked through the fence to the red barn, I was a little bit short to see the whole scene. And discover a died dead deer's body, poor thing, felt sorry about it... Weather was 10 degree cooler, about 70. I've painted many barns, today I painted it smaller and focused on the landscape instead of architecture. Though I didn't meet the others, I was peacefully painting alone by using a high

I was a little bit behind the schedule this morning, rushed out of the door, drove up the winding road to the location. It was quite windy and cold, my first time painting there, only hiked nearby once years ago.  I set up my stuff and painted behind the trees and shrubs, thought they could help me to block the  wind.  Not! I had to hold my easel with one hand while painting.  There were many small branches and leaves that dropped onto my painting.  How could I not check the weather?  I didn't stop when my painting looked good enough, but kept adding more dark colors.  It was just practicing I told myself.  Then, I couldn't find the parking lot, because I was focused on my painting, I totally forgot how to get back.  Lucky there was another artist who stopped her sketching and walked me half way.  We had a nice conversation chatting about Chinese New Year.  I kept walking, suddenly saw her sketching again... I realized that I forgot the road she showed me, and walked almost in