Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

It is such a beautiful home and garden to visit. We came often whenever we passed by. Hadn't visited it for a long time, probably since pandemic. I always wanted to paint here too, though it was challenging, no matter how much I love plants, my reaction to pollen can bother me for days. Never mind, I told myself that I had to go. Surprisingly, there was no parking left in the morning, so I parked my car in the street. And saw many volunteers working in the garden. Most of they looked like seniors. It was not easy to find a subject to paint. So much variety, encompassing herb & rose gardens, a historic home, a carriage house & a tearoom... I walked around it twice, almost decided to paint the tearoom, because it was my first time seeing the door open, but I was fascinated by the gorgeous lotus glowing leaves in the water fountain under the morning sunlight. Immediately, I set up my workstation and started to draw. A small bird accompanied me less than ten feet away while I...

There were many areas that bothered me on Tuesday's portrait study, so I decided to correct it. Worked on the panel for an hour.  Finally, I erased it all and spent a whole day repainting it. Checked my previous work, the last figurative portrait from a live model was nine weeks ago. No wonder I couldn't paint the way  I used to, lol  (August 26 2022) Can't believe that it was nine weeks ago that I did my last oil painting live model session study. Today's model was a good one too, but my process was much slower, and result was different than I expected. The short pose live model was late, a couple of people did several poses for us. I felt my sketches came out better than last week. Not kidding, every artist must keep practicing daily to see long term improvement.  (August 23 2022)

Followed Google maps, I didn't remember how many turns required to drive to this location. I didn't even know such a huge, historic mansion existed. My first time to come here and paint. I found a shady spot and set up my gear. It took me much longer to draw. Besides, walked into the building to use the restroom, I decided to come back to check out the rest of the  interesting parts of the Architecture and the park. It was so nice to see several other Plein Air artists I hadn't seen for a long time.. We shared our ideas about the paintings we did or had mostly finished. (August 22 2022)

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)

We had this new model I missed the first session, had to catch up to paint this portrait in three hours. She sat stable, had a little Mona Lisa smile kind of expression on her face. Continued to painting in duotone, might touch up later. (March 22 2022)

Pray for World Peace !I brought my portrait study for retouching today. Surprised to see a different model, he was our evening live model for drawing class. Lucky I brought a new canvas panel to work on. Our model was a new one, and he had a little difficult time to stand still. I continued to use two colors, and it was a good exercise session. (March 1 2022)

I don't even remember the last time I did a male portrait study. Today we had the same model that did our previous short pose session, he was a very good model who was Egyptian from Boston, stayed still. I could see his nose and mouth area, because he wore a plastic transparent mask, but all the reflection made me confused. So I had to work with a photo reference. Went home, continued working on the same portrait for two more hours. Practice is not fun, but it a must be done.  (February 22, 24 2022)

Just realized that I hadn't gone out painting for a week this morning - too much figurative study in studio. Also my annual allergies have started acting up again. Didn't go too far. I found this greenhouse tent a long time ago and today I got to paint it. After my stuff was set up, I saw two older ladies walking toward me, and the language they were speaking sounded like Russian. I said "Hello" and asked them if they were Russian. They responded that yes they were. Their faces were so interesting, instantly I thought they both could be our portrait models. I dug out my business card and passed it to one of the ladies, and told them that we could pay them if they wanted to be our models. I didn't really understand what she said, but she mentioned her daughter and her hands gestured throwing the business card away. Hahaha, I hope she does contact me and they can be models for us. I really only mean to paint their portraits. (February 18 2022)

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)

One of our Chinese artist masters, Eric Guan, has a studio in Palo Alto. When he wants to paint a model he invites other great painter friends paint with him. Another artist friend, she helps to organize and schedule models for us. We all appreciate the great opportunity of painting together and learning from masters. The other day I took Eric's advice that I should focus on my own style. Because painting with others, it is quite easy to copy each other. Today's model she was young and beautiful. Even though I painted next to Eric, I decided only to use two colors. Three hours painting together, we were all happy with our own results. I know that I have a lot of improvements to make, but I wasn't distracted by other's style. (January 19 2022)

Last Tuesday's (right) and yesterday's (left) Both were 3-hour session live male model oil studies. The model was kind to pose next to my work last Tuesday. Yesterday I worked with a group of  Chinese professionals. A couple of them were master oil painters. Tried to work on new ideas inspired by them, but it didn't look right... Then we had a party for celebrating the shortest daylight in the evening! (December 21 2021) )

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)

Happy Thanksgiving! "The more grateful I am, the more beauty I see."— Mary Davis Checked my emails in the morning, one of my retuning collectors said "Thanks again! The painting arrived already today. It’s really lovely!!! My husband loves it. We haven’t decided yet where exactly in our living room to hang it but for now it’s visiting the other one (attached)" Wow, it only took five days in the mail for this painting to travel from Silicon Valley to England. I was very happy to see my two old works next to each other.  The small piece was not created yet when the larger one had moved to its England's home.  The larger piece she frame perfectly to fit my vision when I created this contemporary painting.   She reminded me that tomorrow would be the Thanksgiving Day. Decided not to go out painting, though it was a nice day. Cleaned up the house, prepared a duck instead of turkey for tomorrow. Went out and had a simple sandwich lunch with my husband. We chatted abou...

Such gorgeous weather, about 70 degrees with no wind. Went to Almaden Valley, found this old barn to paint. I did one at the same location in May this year. and did another one during the summer in 2017. Slowly I have made some progress in my work. I like this spot, felt very peaceful. Next time I will try to add in figures, and will paint loosely. Just ordered more watercolor papers, the price increased again... (November 22 2021)

Good news! One of my original oil paintings on canvas has found a new home.  Today I packed it up  carefully, and mailed it to one of my returning collectors in United Kingdom.   Didn't go out to paint for several days. I told myself that I should paint outdoors one painting at least. But it was a gray day mostly. In the afternoon sun was out for a short while, the light and shadows contrasted and were very interesting at the location. Forgot that my original idea was to paint the water fountain, so I did a quick painting of the house and the front yard. Maybe I will add in little details later, because the watercolor paper won't dry at the location, and it was getting dark so quick... (November 19 2021) This original oil on canvas " Ukulele and Hibiscus Flower on a Hawaii Beach "has found a new home, prints are available.

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...

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)

It wasn't a perfect day for Plein Air, I brought my work stuff and went to check where I could paint. All just because of my curiosity about downtown Woodside. Not easy to find a parking spot, walked around a little bit. Not sure why it seemed to me that this tiny downtown was so interesting to come and check out. Might be the day I got lost in the mountain for an hour, and finally I found some people were in the town. Parked my car off the street. And I decided to paint the interesting building called the Firehouse Bistro, looked like a historic building to me. But there wasn't anything I could find on Google out, only the restaurant. I spent a lot of time working on the sky, later found out it wasn't necessary since the sky was behind on my painting. Caught up a little sunlight, it really did help me to understand the relationship of each part of building and surrounding construction. Great exercise, would be back on a sunny day to paint! In the early evening ...

It was so wonderful raining for a couple of days. Seemed that the dry season had ended up earlier, and the early rain was much needed for sure in California. Got up and saw such a lovely clearly day, then rushed out to the location. Surprised to notice there were several very old buildings partially in ruins though their historic plaques were still in tact. What were going on? There are always many paintable subjects in Alviso, but it depended on the weather and light first of all. I decided to paint the railway and the dramatic clouds behind it. My wheeled-backpack rolled away many times while I was painting because of the strong wind. Really wanted to quit, but I kept reminding myself it was one of the important things of being an outdoor painter, to bear a certain amount discomfort, otherwise there was is little improvement in the work. Awesome, I did it! Added the cables at home on the table, kept my loose style :).  (October 25 2021)

08/18/2021 Went to paint at the same location twice in one week. Last week it was hot, I focused on painting the barn and winery. Today was gorgeous, I saw a blue tractor that was interesting, instantly decided to paint it. The owner was very kind to allow us to paint there. Two years ago I painted the fall feeling grapes and vines. Spent a little big longer time for the drawing, actually I really didn't care much for the details, but ended up there was plenty of details in my work. Think I did better last week, and played with the dog after. Not today, I added the dog into my painting later.  Nice practice again!  Which one do you prefer? 08/25/2021