Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Rainy season is over, and I should catch up on outdoor painting. Downtown Cambell is one of my favorite places to do Plein Air, at lease I painted here or nearby about ten times so far. Painted with a group of local artists, I took the spot I painted several years ago at the beginning of my oil Plein Air. Sat on a bench in front of Starbucks, I didn't do a small sketch this time. Also I was able to see my car, which was parked in a two-hour parking zone, in case I couldn't finish my work on time. I would have to move my car. Weather suddenly got warm, felt like it went from winter tempretures to summer overnight. It was a good exercise for outdoor painting. (April 22 2024)

Planned to Plein Air in the morning, but there were some household things that interrupted that plan . It was about 4pm when I set up to paint at the Downtown Campbell Light Rail Station,  I've painted near this Light Rail Station several times over the past two years and have found it a very interesting place to paint from different angles in the morning or in the afternoon. For example just this red warehouse I painted from the other side in the morning on the last day of 2021.  This building had a "for sale" sign on it.  Today the sale sign still was on the fence, but the messiness I saw around before was all cleaned up.  It is unusual that a property could be on sale for so long in Silicon Valley. Many times I've told myself that I should not copy what I see exactly, so  today I slightly moved things around or implied things a little bit.  Slowly but surely I will get there for sure one day. There was a condominium behind where I was painting....

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'...

Gorgeous day for outdoor paintings. While I was drawing, a train was running on the railway, I took short video. I didn't know how many cars the train carried, but it ran at least ten minutes long. Struggling with the layout, and the details of the historic train I was painting. Came home I realized that I didn't need that much. Just cropped it, and it looked much better. And would you believe, I found some charming artwork in the public bathroom. Several years ago I went to this historic charming town for Plein Air. Walked around and found a good spot to set up my painting station, then found out I didn't bring any paper at all. LOL, had to go home... (October 24 2022)

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...

We had a couple days of rain which is not good for Plein Air. But I definitely appreciate the rain because of the shortage of water in California. The rain stopped and the clouds were very beautiful. I drove to the Sunnyvale train station, and could not find a suitable place to paint a landscape with the clouds and some building. Suddenly, I saw a water tower with interesting buildings surrounding it. Parked my car, it looked like a big factory. The water tower against the clouds looked very interesting. Set up my station and started drawing. A black security guy came to me asked what I was doing. I told him that I wanted to paint the water tower. etc. He asked me to move, because I was on the private property. I moved my station to the public walkway. Overheard him reporting back to his team that I was drawing the tower. Guessed it was OK after he left. Several workers were on their lunch break, they came by and gave me some compliment on my work. I was curious to see their name bad...

Usually painting at the studio, but there was an appointment with my new dentist. Called to confirm the address, and they moved the appointed to the next Tuesday. Went to downtown Sunnyvale to find some painting ideas. Ended up I painted Off The Rails Brewing Co. for Fresh Local Craft Beer & Food nearby the train station. (April 19 2022)

Three of us artists decided to paint outdoors together.  Followed Google maps, directed me to the Campbell Library, but there wasn't anyone there.  Called the other friends and found out that Google map was incorrect.  So we were behind schedule a little bit.   I saw a guy playing his guitar in front of a coffee shop, asked if he wanted to be our model.  One of us painted him.  Crossed the street to paint the people in front of the coffee shop, including the guy and one of the artists friends, also I could be in shade. I painted in watercolor, the other two painted in oils.  It was a lovely day hanging out, then went to the other artist's studio to check out her work, chatting, eating, learning,  fun afternoon....

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)

Looked like a nice day, but it was not warm yet. The morning light shown down making this spot more interesting looking. There were many light rail train passing by, I set up my station and spent more time to draw. Tried some different color combinations, and unusual techniques, not satisfied with the results, should be more loose… (March 7 and March 23 2022)

Last year I painted about 150 Plein Air paintings, and drove too many places far away. Started at the end of last year, I thought that there were many places nearby me that were really paintable. Also went back to the same place as last time to paint again, but from a different angle and in the afternoon. Light came out once in a while which made all the subjects look more interesting. We had a week or two cold and rainy days, but it was about 60 degrees today.  Of course I had to dress up like northern California kind of winter with my winter hat on.  There was a white pick up truck in front of the station, it was gone after I started painting so I had to finish it from memory.  I know some people, or even some kids can draw very good vehicles like cars and motorcycles.  Keep practicing and I will get better I remind myself, and also it is my new year resolution.  Finished up my work, it was already sunset, some people gave me compliments while they passing by....

Might be my last Plein Air painting in 2021. Russian Plein Air artists painting in the snow inspired me. It was only 46 degrees in the morning, but clear after many days of rain. I thought I could paint outdoors, but I wasn't brave enough, so I painted inside my car instead.  Sun came out, got warm inside the car, I had to open my window.  Liked the atmosphere, reminded me of an east coast small town train station. (December 30 2021)

Decided to paint the downtown cityscape, went to and painted at the same spot where I painted when I just started Plein Air. Could not find the original image from back then.  Today was a little chilly, but felt warm in sun. I saw a lot of people in the street and some stopped by and gave me more compliments for my painting then I expecting, might be during the holiday season... Good exercise.  It was the first one I did outdoors this month, hopefully it isn't the last one of this year, but it will rain next week. (December 17 2021)

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)

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)

I had a cold for days, finally could get out and paint. It was a warm gray winter day, 66 degrees around noon. Came to this historical street in the morning. It was not a big street, there were Coffee shops, restaurants, pubs and small businesses... It took me a little while to decide what to paint, because of no light and shadows. Got busier before lunch time, a huge truck suddenly parked in my view of the buildings crossed the street where I was working on. I don't paint in the crowds often, have forgotten how to deal the situation. It really forced to paint from my memory. I think it was a good experience for only working on the large shapes, simplify the details for practicing, and painted loosely...

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...