Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Took a break and didn't go to the studio yesterday, I felt relaxed a little bit. The rain finally stopped, and it was clear but windy.  Drove to the Half Moon Bay Nursery but missed it because there are many other similar nurseries on the same road.  Got out of  the car to ask a guy working inside, and wanted to use the restroom.  The guy told me the directions nicely.   Got there and found a doorway to set up my painting stuff, so I could paint inside because it was quite windy outside.  I liked the way I could see the outside greenhouses in a row, and there was a single tool laying against an empty table.  A guy working for the nursery wanted to remove the tool, but he changed his mind after he saw the tool was in my painting. Took me three hours to paint this one, after all I always think that I should do another one, but I felt tired.  On the way back, I saw the snow was still on top of the mountains, snap shots for memory.   (March 1 2023)

My last Plein Air painting in Half Moon Bay was done in July last year.  I remember it was such a cold day.  Today I caught only light traffic and little road work on the way.   It was a gorgeous day, hills turned green, and flowers started blooming after days of rain.  I was looking for the Giusti farm in Half Moon Bay CA without knowing the address.  Luckily, I found it by noticing other artists painting along the High Way #1, only had one extra turn.  There were acres of mustard flowers in the fields and up to the hills. Some were lemon yellow, some already had turned to Indian yellow.  They were more attractive contrasted with the fresh spring green grasses in between.   Usually start with a small sketch, not this time since I was a little bit behind schedule.  I reminded myself that I should focus on the main subject to paint.  It didn't take too long, and I was happy with the result.   Very nice to see some old and new artists painting as well.   (February 8 2023)

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

This year is flying by without notice.  Last time I painted nearby the harbor was in April. Perfect weather in Half Moon Bay. I walked around and hesitated for what to paint. A fishing boat came and loaded all the crab nets off. Instantly it helped me to make the subject matter decision, Drew as fast as I could, because I knew that the boat would be gone soon. Such an inspirational place to paint, there were many kinds of birds, seals, fishing boats at the harbor. It wasn't as quiet as usual, several helicopters flying ahead searching... I hope everyone or each family was safe. Glad I was well prepared for when the fishing boat was gone, I had to combined my memory and reference photo to paint.  Those are a few of the  many things I've added to my Plein Air experience over the past four years.  There are many Plein Air artists that have painted outdoors for more than decades.  I can really appreciate their work and effort from my heart.  Not only they are landscape painti

Believe or not, I was so excited to go and paint at the Half Moon Bay Nursery this morning. Not only because I am a plant lover and love gardening work, but also it is my first time ever to get in. So many times I wanted to stop while passing by, always thought that would be next time over at least a decade. A gorgeous day, it was warmer actually, and I overdressed. Morning light was gorgeous. Forgot my long-term allergies, I didn't feel anything beside a little hot, not even a sneeze during my painting there about two hours even with all of the flowers. Workers were busy fixing the nursery, serving the customers and moving plants. So many beautiful and varieties at the store, I wondered why there were so many shoppers in and out during the weekday morning. (October 27 2021)

Lovely sunny day in Half Moon Bay. Set up my easel on a wine barrel and painted the grapevines in front of me. Another artist was sketching, of course she had became part of my painting. Lucky I painted the water fountain last time. Now, several Mexican guys were working on that area. Standing next to the them, I could hear the happy music they were listening to, and their conversation, though I had no idea what they said in Spanish, sounded very positive. So I painted it with a joyful and gorgeous environment. (June 9 2021)

Dressed very warm to paint at this lovely winery, because it was only 50ish degrees. Looked like a lovely garden with beautiful blooming flowers. Found the subject and a spot, I talked a little loud that I wished the sun would come up, so I could capture the contrast of the light and shadow in the landscape. But my painting spot wasn't in the shade,  and when the sun really came out, it shone onto my extra white Fabiano Artistico 140b Cold press watercolor paper. I had to follow the light to keep moving. After I moved under a tree, the sun hid under clouds. Back and forth a couple of times, it might be the sun was playing game with me since I asked for it? Such a nice place, and I wanted to come and paint for a long time each time I was passing by on the way to Half Moon Bay. Certainly, I will be back soon again. (June 2 2021) I went to the same location to Plein Air again a week later, they had the major construction going on surround the fountain...

(May 12 2021) Summer time really has arrived in the South Bay Area. Drove to Half Moon Bay this morning, definitely felt like traversing from summer to winter in about one hour. It was pretty cold, only 52 degrees at the location. And I didn't have any trouble to find the farm this time.  Painted watercolors on a grey day, so I decided to do a vertical one, only the easel were not designed for a 15" tall painting size, that was the reason I don't usually work in verticals.  It was a little challenging, besides the wind, I couldn't barely put any tiny bit weight on the painting for fear of it falling over.  Over all, I like my vertical layout today.  The hostess, KC Branscomb has been very kind in allowing us to paint at her farm, but we have to follow her very strict rules for parking, not to close to the horses, because these are breeding horses at the farm, and young horses in training, etc.. Anyway, we only were allowed to paint in certain area.  In the end, she

Last week while painting at Sue's farm, the owner of Branscomb farms invited us to come paint. Last time I forgot to charge my car, but saw I had enough electricity and gas to cover the total mileage today. I followed Google maps this time to the address, because my car GPS didn't even show the address. After Cabrillo highway, I turned onto a street and got lost after over a mile up a dirt road. Finally Google told me to u-turn so I circled back and followed the new directions to a narrow private road where there wasn't anyone around and I arrived at a locked gate. A pickup truck suddenly pulled up from behind with a young guy and 2 dogs, he pointed me back down the dirt road again. I was worried to get a flat as we just changed to new tires so every mile counted... I thought I'd rather go paint boats at Johnson's Pier so headed out. On my way I saw a guy opening an unmarked gate and it turned out to be the farm. After over half an hour of goose chasing it was

(April 21 2021) Not like last week, only 50 degrees at the location. Very cold to paint watercolors, the paper refused to dry. And not to mention that I tried to painted too much detail for a Plein Air work. Really should simplify what was there. Maybe it would look better if only I did a greyscale. Good thing was I had no allergies to bother me today at Half Moon Bay.  Drove back, it was 70 degrees.

(April 14 2021) A gorgeous day at the location, even my allergies didn't bother me much. Got there and walked around, there was a red barn, a horse barn and horse trailers with horses in and out, chicken coop with roosters and hens, a mustard field and distant mountains. They were all nice subjects for painting, but I had to make a quick decision before the light changed too much, So I painted this red barn, and replaced the further broken fences in front. I probably could design a better composition that will work better... Next time, I will be back for sure.

Beautiful morning on location. Looked like everything was back to normal. Every time I feel lost to choose a boat to paint. Took a while to find one on the pier. Set up my painting station, but it was not early any longer. Felt hot in the sun, and used my Plein Air umbrella. People passing by complemented my work. Even a group of school boys kept saying "Bravo! "Thanks for all the encouragement. Suddenly it became very windy, first it blew my umbrella down, I screwed it down a couple of times. But I stood on the pier with nothing to block the strong wind. So I used my arm to hold my umbrella steady. Then the wind kept blowing little items off my painting station, like testing paper, small brush etc.. Almost finished my painting, I tried very hard to draw lines, but my station was shaking in the wind. Had to pack and leave. Finished the rest details at home.  --March 30

Happy Chinese Lunar New Year!恭喜發財! Feb. 10 I knew that I should avoid outdoor activities during this season, especially near flowers, whose strong pollen has beaten me down for years. But it was very beautiful to see all the yellow mustard flowers last week, didn't feel I had painted enough of them. So I went back again, and the weather was gorgeous, besides it being a little windy and chillier than last week. Actually the beauty is in being outdoors, and express the feeling of one's own. One young mother took her baby girl inside the flower fields. She was super polite, came across all the muddy road about 50 meters, and asked me if they would block my view when they having picnic there. Felt warm inside my heart that some people really care what an artist was doing. She just didn't know how tiny they were in the flower fields, I barely noticed them. I was there to be inspired instead of copy anything. I decided to move all the objects around, after a small sketch, painted

Didn't paint outdoors for two weeks, really missed it. Went to Half Moon Bay, it was beautiful and warm. Painted a yellow mustard flower field at the edge of a major noisy road, it was still muddy after days of rain. Many people stopped by taking photos of the gorgeous yellow flowers. After my first painting done, I really wanted to see and paint boats, I missed painting them very much. Over the years, I have taken countless photos of the boats at Johnson Pier, and can't even remember how many times I've painted at this location, many fishing boats I recognize over the years. Looked like the local business was doing OK. Differently, I found a good spot on the deck, and set up my work station. The deck was narrow, I had to keep reminding myself not to backup, only one step and I could fall into the sea. A sea lion swam around nearby me, only about five meters away. Loved all the dramatic clouds, and happy to see all the fishermen selling crabs. Bought one as a rewar

I really miss painting boats, drove all the way to Pillar Point Harbor this morning.  It was a very warm and beautiful day at the pier.  Got a chance to talk to a couple of fishermen who liked my work.  They had a tough time from covid-19, all the restaurants were closed during salmon season. Now crab fishing was delayed to December 15, a couple of whales were passing by. And they didn't feel it was fair to all the fishermen's lives, because crabbing for sport already is allowed.  On the way back home I kept thinking how I could help them...  (Dec. 2, 2020) The rainy season is delayed for so long - such an unusual year. A perfect day spent in Napa, took many breathtaking vineyard images before the sunset for future reference; a beautiful late fall feeling. Another half-day spent in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Walking over 6 miles among the amazing west coast landscape surrounded by character-full cypress trees. Took the fresh ocean air in as much as possible while listen

My first time painting at this location near Half Moon Bay. Followed Google and found this unique, old western town nestled in the rolling countryside along the San Mateo coast. Such a unique place, I had a hard time to make decision, then I saw a real cute pig alone sleeping inside the Jail, felt quite some pity for it. So painted next to the Jail, at least provided companionship to the little sleepy, lonely pig. The building I focused on to paint was next to the fence. Wondered why there was so much dust in the air. Finally I saw a horse next to wall, might try to communicate with me. Gorgeous day after I had so much delicious food and celebrated our shared birthdate together at one of my girlfriends' house yesterday. But this morning I was a little bit frustrated, my car GPS which had the options of the shortest distance choice, but Google map showed the fast way. I usually use both in case the signals lost. There was almost ten miles difference between those two, who I should f

Finally, I came back to my favorite painting spot and paint my favorite subject. Did a small sketch, but I wasn't sure how I painted the background. After struggling through this old fisherman's fishing boat, I noticed that I spent too much time on boat. I started with bigger and flat brushes painted bold. Looked it worked OK. Overdressed, I had to take my down jacket off at the pier. Weather report said that it was only 60 degrees. It was quite busy, seemed that fishermen's business doing well. Overheard that salmon was about $14 per pound, I changed getting fresh fish idea, wild salmon I can get from Costco. Both ways, there were no traffic on #280. Actually I was happy experiencing the light traffic on #92, feeling everything was back to normal, I wish.

2020 Day10 "You don't learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and by falling over." -- Richard Branson Started a bit late. Each time I came here to paint boats, but not today. After one painting was done, the light and shadows made the same landscape dramatic, so I had to paint another one. It was cold after sun went down, the second one didn't work out the way I wanted, just because the Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140p Watercolor paper I used couldn't dry in such weather condition. I was inpatient and ruined it... Well, learned and try not to make the same mistake...

Happy New Year! 新年快樂!  How was your New Year day? 2020 Day1 Gave myself a couple days off before the New Year, studied about art history. Today was gray, I came to the location to paint my favorite subject boats. Saw many people walking on the Harbor, some of them bought crabs from the local fishermen. It started sprinkling, so I had to do my work inside the car. The fishing boat I worked on was very interesting, but it wasn't easy to do... I did a drawing, a watercolor sketch. And brought a crab for our dinner table for celebrating the first day of 2020.

Raining, windy and cold. Came to draw and paint at one of my favorites places - Pillar Point inside the car. Felt little bit crazy about myself or should be mad at the weather, though, lol...