Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Drove to Santa Cruz in the foggy morning, surprisingly caught into traffic, because of one lanes was closed on Route 17. Very difficult decision which subject to paint, they were all beautiful with very interesting reflections. And boats could sail away if I only focus one... Beautiful day but cold, air was so fresh at the harbor. Sun was strong shone on my watercolor paper and reflected into my eyes. Luckily I brought my Plein Air umbrella. My umbrella was blown into the water when I painted here last time. So I made sure it was set up properly. Tired, left before 2 pm, almost no traffic all the way back home.

After about four hours sleep, I was all over the place. I painted at Crab Cove beach this morning. It was windy and cold, there was nobody on the beach. After my drawing was done, I had to move to a nearby the bathroom, because the wind kept blowing my painting board. Afternoon, a couple artists including me painted at a private Aeolian Yacht Club. I had my morning experience, so just laid my easel on the dock water counter top to paint. I finished one, saw a nearby artist had done four pastel paintings already, though he started a little earlier than me. Rushed and painted at Grand Marina again. An older age guy came to me and pointed my car and asked me to move. Because it was their reserved spot, his wife just went to shopping. I apologized and moved, thought how I couldn't even see the sign. Exhausted already. Tomorrow is the "Quick Draw", I have no clue what I am going to paint in a very limited amount of time. And I don't know Alameda much... It was only my

Every piece before we paint for the event needs to be stamped. My first time to attend an official five-day long Plein Air event. I am the lucky last name on the artist names on the attached flyer. A great way to meet and learn from other artists. Look forward to meeting our local friends. I checked in at Frank Bette Art Center in the morning. It seemed that every artist knew what he/she was doing. My first time I had hard time to organize my own stuff. Met a couple of artists I knew, and met Genie Scot, who manages this event each year. She answered all of my confused questions clearly. I came to the Grand Marian dock, started painting. Felt stiff to paint on the stamped paper. Posting what I have done so far, vertical was the first one, 5"x7", horizontal one I did 2nd, 11"x14". People of Alameda they are nice and friendly. Not only did I got some compliments, but also I think I've got a commission work as well. BTW, I've started to introduce myself as &q