Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Always wanted to join this small group of artists to practice on a portrait. Finally I made it before the New Year. The good benefit was to get feedback immediately when each of us got stuck at a certain point. Because we stare too long at our own work. Like today, I could not tell why my painting didn't work the way I painted it. One of the artists told me that the value wasn't correct. So I worked on values, then I saw the improvement. Liked her gesture, but it wasn't in the same position after each break. Painted on an used canvas 12"x16". Upleft was captured outdoors.  (December 20 2021)

Raining Monday morning, back to work. Could not paint outdoors, but joined zoom minute drawing sketch. Sharing several drawings I did.

On this special day, I'd love share my story how I started painting African American portraits, because some viewers are always curious about what inspires me to paint them. I was told by many that the colors I painted were warm and soft, and the facial expressions were so well captured. I was asked why I kept painting them instead of others, or if I had a secret reason to do so... A lot of very interesting questions... First  I don't think that each artist has to have a hidden reason for painting.  I haven't been professionally trained in a real art school.  Painting Asian faces is challenging to me. I don't live in a neighborhood full of African Americans, but I enjoy their music and culture.  Their face expression can tell a story to a visual artist from China like me. One of my favorite novels is "Gone with the Wind".  I read it many times in Chinese, and watched the movie countless times.  In June 2007, I visited Atlanta, Georgia.  O...

This series of African American portraits I painted is based on the portraits I captured at the Art & Soul Festivals in Oakland, CA since 2009. There were a few I did after visiting New York as well. I really enjoy studying African American face expression. Please let the people know if you recognize a familiar face, it might be you, your friend or family member. Thank you. Hope you will like my portrait art.

Being not black nor white, I am pretty sure that I am not the only one Chinese female visual artist interested in studying on black people's face structure, skin tones and the expressions. Since my portrait paintings were uploaded onto the Fine Art America, I have got mostly positive feedback from the artists over the world. Thanks for that! I've been around. I believe a majority of people can live together and get along peacefully! Born and raised in Beijing China, studied and lived in Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, traveled to many counties in Asia, Europe and South America and now I have lived in Silicon Valley for over 11 years. I am always interested in different cultures, different people and different food, no political interest at all. America, is one of the biggest countries with multi-cultural identity and we all admire it. If we only could understand each other from the one universal language - Love; if we could treat each just only one race - the human race. Th...

BEAUTIFUL BLACK WOMAN - By Vernon J. Davis Jr. Author of " Love Is The Beautiful Black Woman" Beautiful black woman, Your beauty is surpassed by none. Beautiful black woman, Your sensuous splendor is like the shining sun Your wondrous ways come from your soul Which no one man may hope to control Beautiful black woman, You are the guiding hope of our people Beautiful black woman, your mind maintains your glorious power. Beautiful black woman, Your spirit is like a shining church tower which points the way to heaven above and which seeks to find true love. Beautiful black woman, you are the guiding hope of our people. Beautiful Black woman, Your time is like a precious commodity. Beautiful Black Woman, Your ebony will is strong and free, so take your precious time, and your determined will, and use them both to emphasize what you really feel. Beautiful black woman, you are the guiding hope of our people. Beautiful black woman, In you lies our future! Please view my portrait g...

(Please click the image to enlarge) I just posted a new oil portrait, here is the story behind: Sunday, July 17, 2011, I went to Los Altos farmers market. A beautiful blues voice and music attracted my attention. I walked close by and saw a young girl playing saxophone, and an older guy singing... I heard the drummer playing amazingly too, but could not see anyone there from the crowd. Unfortunately, it was the last song, and the singer announced that the drummer was 4 years old. It was hard to believe, but it was true. It was around noon. I saw this little shy mixed boy was holding his mother's hand, standing under the Californian strong sun shining down on his head, while his mother was busy answering questions from other people. I tried very hard to capture the boy's face, and imagined the bright future ahead of him... Sorry I didn't get their band's name, I am sure there are a lot of other people who know:-)! Please view a better image at: http://f...