Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Not sure why I could not get myself motivated, the laziness was all over my mind and body. Some of my works are half way done, I keep reminding myself that I should fix or finish them... Day by day I sink into the sofa, barely move around, and found all kinds of excuses for myself to do nothing. Till I noticed that I had gained a couple pounds again. It makes a big difference for me - each time I gain weight, I loose motivation. After Memorial Day, I started doing exercise again, dragged myself to the art center studio and took the second long pose session of the same live model to finish this portraiture. And I continued on to the evening short pose session. Found my arm even hard to reach where I wanted to draw. Unbelievable that only few ponds could cause so much unwillingness all over me. But glad I did it! (May 31 2022)

I was away for eight nights in May, missed several portraiture practice sessions in the studio. We were quite lucky to have Leigh back for our afternoon long post and evening short pose model. She dressed up in an evening gown with matching jewelry for the long pose - turquoise, my favorite color. And her hair was "twisted" up. It was a crowded in the studio, I painted behind two other artists, there was only a small area I could peek through to see the model. I complained a couple of times, just because those two artists moved a little bit and blocked my view. After our afternoon session was done, I realized that the colors I used were too saturated. And several artists stayed for the evening session. We brought our dinner boxes for a simple meal. There was full house in the evening session too, her ballerina posses were lovely. And she looked tired. Enjoyed painting and drawing her.  (May 24 2022)

Tonight's 3-hour drawing session went fast. I drew as fast as I could, but still couldn't get this former ballerina model's movement the way I expected. Looked at my neighbor Eric, his beautiful lines and shapes on the paper full of rhythm, everyone could tell the strict training he had. Appreciate that I have met all these local Chinese artists, it helps me to learn and improve. I believe that it is easier to communicate in our mother language. (January 18 2022)

Monday I just had my vision surgery done, then I told myself that I must go to draw if I could drive.  Magically, I made it and enjoyed the drawing from the live model so much, just wish my eyes won't cause me any trouble for the rest of my life, pray for it!  (January 11 2022)

After a 3 hour portrait study session, we had to wait at the art center for one and half hours for the evening short pose session. Some other artists brought their own dinner, I only had a banana and some seaweed snack. Though I was tired, it was worth the wait to draw one of my favorite models, Emily. Her skin tone and classical poses remind me of Greek statues. She is very still and cares position of every finger.  It was very good session and also the last one of the year. During the break we had little celebration, I had cheese, figs and a glass of beer. Will miss this class during the break for sure. (December 14 2021)

Because I am Chinese, thought it could be easier for me to draw an Asian female live model. The result was that I knew it was not as easy as I thought. Fewer minutes enjoyed drawing and struggling through for each pose, hahah... (December 7 2021)