Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Today was a lovely day, especially outdoors, there was no wind and it was gorgeous weather. Met friends and painted together at this nice location. Beautiful yellow mustard plants were already blooming, apricot trees didn't even have buds or leaves. We could see a church in the distance, and we all used our hatchback doors as umbrellas to make shade for painting. The church bell rang once an hour, the peacefulness made me wonder if I were in the countryside somewhere in Europe. Hahaha, miss travelling a lot...(February 10 2022)

After the Memorial day long weekend, I planned to paint at Pescadero, but it did not happen. Came to the Mission Branch Library in Santa Clara. Remembered that I painted here in the afternoon last winter and pulled out the old photo. Today I painted this scene from a 90 degree different angle, and in the shade of the morning. I was totally in the sun so soon, before I even finished my drawing. Kept moving to my left side, wondered if I would bother the residents inside the building. Instead, a couple of young guys came out and gave me a few compliments. I think  they study at Santa Clara University. Practiced not overdoing the painting and made sure my work looked painterly and loose. ( June 1 2021 ) November 30 2020, Plein Air  @ Mission Branch Library City of Santa Clara CA

Gorgeous and warm day. Painted at Saratoga Heritage Orchard next to the library. Finally spring came, though there was frost on roof this morning. Beautiful apricot and cherry trees just start blooming. I have allergies and have to cover myself well outdoors. Some nice people came by to talk to me while I was painting. Thought I could paint more than one, but the allergies had made me tired... Please view this video I made that there was a coyote there before I started painting in the morning.