Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

I thought I wanted to paint the church. Then I changed my mind after I saw the light and shadows on this building were so interesting. Found a shady spot under a tree off the street, set up my workstation, and spent a little bit more time sketching out the details. Wish I was an architect, could get all the perspective correct in the first pass but it took a little longer. A college boy walking by said "good morning" and startled me because I was so focused on my work. He was very polite though and apologized. Later when I was almost done the painting, a lady passing by and said "so beautiful" and scared me again. I guess I haven't been out in the public painting enough lately. She apologized too, and I told her no need to worry and we chatted a bit. She had an Australian Shepherd dog with the most beautiful eyes. She told me that her dog was super-smart and sweet. It was a nice day to enjoy the breeze and get out into the fall air. (September 27 2023)

It was so wonderful raining for a couple of days. Seemed that the dry season had ended up earlier, and the early rain was much needed for sure in California. Got up and saw such a lovely clearly day, then rushed out to the location. Surprised to notice there were several very old buildings partially in ruins though their historic plaques were still in tact. What were going on? There are always many paintable subjects in Alviso, but it depended on the weather and light first of all. I decided to paint the railway and the dramatic clouds behind it. My wheeled-backpack rolled away many times while I was painting because of the strong wind. Really wanted to quit, but I kept reminding myself it was one of the important things of being an outdoor painter, to bear a certain amount discomfort, otherwise there was is little improvement in the work. Awesome, I did it! Added the cables at home on the table, kept my loose style :).  (October 25 2021)

My first time coming to this part of the Pacifica. Planned to paint at San Pedro Valley County Park. Drove on Skyline Blvd, The landscape was half hiding in the foggy misty, and the part of it showing through. I really wanted to stop my car and paint excitedly what was in from of my eyes.  Arrived at the park, I realized that the mountains and trees were just too close to me, how I could manage to paint them? On the way I had noticed a church that was appealing too. There were several deer in the parking lot, nice watching them eat their breakfast. It was quiet ni the parking lot while I was painting. Didn't finish the painting, needed more value.  But it was just another practice work. Went to see 50/50 art show at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica.  Many inspiring and creative works there.  

Back to my local Plein Air life. It was a lovely breezy day. Both Google maps on my smartphone and the car GPS could not get signals near the location. I told myself that I should always double check my stuff before go out to paint many times, but I forgot to bring the part that connects the tripod and the easel, had to set up and paint on the ground.. What an adorable retirement life for those who were living there, I thought! How would I make it to such a gorgeous place being an artist? LOL🤣...Did a small drawing and a painting. Quite place, will be back again. Maryknoll is a magnificent building easily visible from I-280 just north of the Foothill Expressway Exit. It was built in 1926 as a Catholic seminary for students preparing to enter the Maryknoll order, a Catholic society dedicated to missionary work in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In the mid 1970’s it was converted to a residence for retired Brothers. The architecture contains Spanish mission, Baroque, and Oriental inf