Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Went to Portola Vineyard, my car GPS still directed me to the wrong spot, had to make a three-point turn on such a narrow road. Glad that I went there and met several other artists. Except for one artist who was at the Alameda Plein Air Paint Out last week, the others I hadn't seen for a long time. My subject was the pool house, because the grape vines have not changed colors yet. It was nice to see other artists, and make a little progress as well, though I felt burnt out after Alameda Plein Air event. (August 10 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

It was a hot day for Plein Air at the location. There were many geese around while were painting. Good practice in such a hot weather condition, glad that I did it though. I finished mine very quick and watched  the geese and other artist painting. (July 11 2022)

Painted Plein Air for the first time in a while, I really missed it. Today I went to Carmelite Monastery Santa Clara CA to paint this church building, which has been on my mind for a long time. It was a peaceful place, only saw a few people, including a nun who walked into the church from the side door. Drawing the architecture took me for a while, then painted the clouds with care. Because we don't usually have clouds besides during winter. Not much light and contrast. Then spent a lot of time for the details on the building. After that I realized that the details were too small and there wasn't any reason to include them in my Plein air work. Church bell rang twice during the time I painted there, it brought a lot peace. Hope it expends to the whole world....

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)

Weather report said that there was a storm coming today. The rain stopped this morning, I went out without a target for outdoor painting. Got lost in an industrial area nearby the airport, instantly I saw many interesting subjects to paint. But it wasn't easy to find a parking spot. I painted next to a camper parked on the sidewalk. The person owned it really made it looked like a home. There was a solar panel connected, and there were garden stuff, like potted plants, outdoor cook etc.  The clouds looked very unique, but they were not easy to paint on such a gray day.   Many airplanes flew overhead making a very loud sound, I wondered when I could get started traveling again?  After my work was done, I packed and it started  raining again.  Felt lucky that my painting and I didn't get a single drop, perfect timing without knowing in advance, lol...

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)

Nice weather, certainly it was getting warmer. I went back to Alviso Marina to paint a similar scene to one I did years ago. My annual allergies have started to bother me, so I used the mask for protection even outdoors. There are many paintable and historical subjects that I'd like to paint in Alviso.  I took advise from another artist that suggested toning down the colors, not easy but I practiced.  After my work done, I checked around and found my mechanical pencil on the ground.  Yes, I've learned my lesson, always double check before leaving my painting spot. (February 28 2022 )

Haven't painted outdoors as often as I used to do, instead spent a lot of time working on figurative painting in studio. Today I decided only drive10 miles to find a spot to paint, that way I could save a little more time instead of driving on the road. It was another factory I planned to paint for a long time. Parked my car in an apartment building next to the 7-eleven, though it wasn't a quiet spot. Many trucks drove by, airplanes flew ahead, pollution was in the air. I didn't even remember to bring my mask... After a while, I started to think positively how lucky I was to be here to paint.  Some people in other countries have to suffer from a war, they must be terrified...(February 25 2022 )

Went to the historic monastery church this morning. Painted outside this beautiful place twice last year. I drove into the quiet place, planned to paint the church architecture, but instead I found a lovely house behind it. Just because the morning light was gorgeous, shone on the pink color fence, even the garbage bin and the shadow was kind of the object I was in the mood for. Painted it loosely, the church bell rang after my painting was done. (January 27 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... (January 4 2022)

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)

There were twenty Chinese artists painting San Francisco Chinatown today, though it was Sunday just after Thanksgiving.  Felt excited to accept the invitation. Drove about hundred miles back forth to Chinatown wasn't a big deal for me.  But it was extremely challenging to find a parking spot.  I knew there were a couple of garages for parking, but it can be difficult for me to find my car afterwards.  Chinatown is not big, but I caught every single traffic light before each turn, had to wait super patiently for the crowds to cross the streets on this Sunday morning.   Finally, I parked my car on one street nearby a Chinese grocery store.  The sign confused me as to whether I could park there or not.  I guessed that was why no one was parked there.  There was an older Chinese guy parking his car behind me.  He looked like a local person and answered my question "It is Sunday, you can park here!" Our organizer told us to start painting about 10:30 AM. It was almost 11 AM. 

“Creativity takes courage” – Henri Matisse  November 1 - Day 1 I was quite lucky to get an invitation to join the Capitola Plein Air Event, which I always wanted to join, but it didn't fit into my schedule in the past. Felt excited and checked the weather report constantly, but that didn't help to clear the rain. Arrived there in the morning, met the friendly volunteers, and Laurie the event chair, she was very helpful and made each detail super clear to me! Then Al checked in. He knew Capitola quite well, showed me a couple of places that had the great views. So thankful to him! After I drove to Shadowbrook Restaurant, it hadn't opened yet. I thought that I might paint there under the cover of the roof. An elegantly dressed lady told me that I had to call the restaurant manager, etc. So instead I started painting the front of the restaurant from under a tree with my trunk door open in the parking lot. Rain was slowing down a little bit. Another artist came and we met, she