Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

2020 Day14 Kept my promise and came back to paint the red boat at the Coyote Point Recreation park. Mike the boat owner was there, and we chatted a little bit. It was gray with wind, and I couldn't finish it, because of another figure drawing class. Ate a cracker for lunch. Did two sketches from the model in limited watercolor pallet. I thought I could have the red boat painting completed tonight, but starving and exhausted, just wanted to go to bed...

2020 Day9 Two years ago I bought this drawing pad and wanted to do figure drawings. I found this pad hiding under my table when I cleaned up my studio room before the new year. It was raining a little bit and good excuse not painting outdoors. I've only had a couple of time figure drawing experiences, totally a beginner. Sat next to a very experienced artist, wanted to learn from him. Ended up directly facing the model was super-difficult for me to draw. Also I was too busy working on my own drawing to talk to the other artist. Pretty tough for three hours, not mentioned I didn't have the right pencils and charcoals. Hopefully I will be able to get better soon. Any feedback?

Do you trust your instant feeling? What a day! I didn't like the paintings I did in Capitola last Thursday, so I had to go again. I checked the weather a few times, wished it would be a lovely day in Capitola. In the morning, Google maps showed me that it would take extra 20 minutes, I thought there was some traffic. Then I realized that I chose to avoid high ways. It was OK, I saw something new through the small road in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It was gray when I arrived Capitola just as the weather reported. I walked around and checked a couple of locations I wanted to paint from last week. But they looked so different today, especially some people working on the roofs which were covered with dark plastic; last week I saw that there were beautiful palm trees and shadows on the brown roots I wanted to paint. And it started tiny drops of rain... I waited for a short while, walked and looked around, just didn't have any feeling to paint. Soon the rain disappeared. I though

Capitola is such a beautiful place to paint.First time painting at the location in a perfect weather condition today. I hadn't been here for a couple of years. Actually I arrived early this morning, walked around, found a lovely spot painting the windmill house across the water. There was a car that tried to drive through, the road was so narrow, I had to stop painting and squeeze all my stuff and myself against a tree, otherwise, we would all fall down the slope into the water. After a lunch break, I painted the colorful houses. I didn't know there was a big hidden garbage bin next to me for collecting all the trash from the restaurant. It was a little bit smelly. Besides, I was kind of blocking the walkway for the customers or people working there a bit. Lucky, it was not during rush hour, I didn't move much. It was already 4:15pm, but my second painting wasn't finished... Long day, I am tired. (Updating from September 20, 2018)

In the morning I went to Palo Alto Baylands Nature Preserve, Palo Alto, CA. It was a beautiful day, felt the fall in the air. I drove around at the location, resided to paint the Bayland Ranger Station. First as usual I did a sketch, then set up my Plein Air stuff. After everything was ready, I realized that I didn't bring my watercolor paper and the support board. Mad at myself, my second time made the same mistake. Took a couple of photos on my smartphone, came home to paint this one since the light and the place I wanted to paint were still vividly in my memory. (Updating from September 13, 2018)

I did 3 paintings today. Which one do you prefer? I have been to Santa Cruz countless times, Santa Cruz Harbor is one of my favorite places. Finally, I went to that location to paint today. Of course, I would never feel tired of painting boats, and painted from 9am till 4pm, had a lunch break at the new location of Aldo's restaurant. People were very friendly, talked to me or questioned about my work. A couple of them would like to know how long takes me to finish one painting. Well, it has been a long time, and took 15 years to me painting today's level and speed. Does it make sense to you? (Updating from September 10, 2018)

What impressed me was that there was no traffic this morning, and it was a scenic way to drive, though it was quite hot at the location. Not sure why I have only painted a few bald yellow hills, those could be seen almost half of the year here. My first time being here, saw many people go hiking and passing by, thought I should hike here someday, heard this was called "little Yosemite", must be so beautiful deep inside. Two x14x"11" were done at the same spot, only about 120 degree different angle. The Sunol Regional Wilderness is a regional park in Alameda County, the eastern San Francisco Bay Area, Northern California. It is located near the town of Sunol, south of Pleasanton and east of Fremont. (Updating from September 3, 2018)

From gray to sun shine, it was a typical California morning. My first time being here, did two paintings at the location. After one done, I turned ninety degrees, then did the second one at the same spot. There were many geese visiting the lake, they seemed very happy. All of a sudden, there was a remote controlled looking like a toy boat making a loud noises sailing in the water, broke the peaceful morning and scared all the geese away. I didn't think it was a nice thing to do. Later on, a lady passing by told me that the geese were eating the fish growing inside lake, so they used the the little motor to scare the geese away on purpose. (Updating from for August 30, 2018)

It was quite windy. The one I've posted here was the first one I painted at dusk. I tried to loosen up and paint another one, it was the sunset time, I wasn't able to finish. I have been thinking to paint here for so long, finally Robyn and I we made it. Always happy to paint with another artist. (Updating from August 29, 2018)

It was gray, windy and cold at the location, felt like winter already in the morning. My first time coming here. The vineyard is almost 100 years old since 1925, can you believe it? Painted one 14"x11" and I kept reminding myself to paint loosely. Sun came out, it was getting warmer near noon, then I did a couple of sketches for future projects. (August 27, 2018)

I am sure that other artists painted harder more than I did this week, thought I had been painting like a mad cow, from dawn till before it was too dark to see. I had two eggs each morning from Monday to Friday, joined two dinner parties on Monday and Thursday. Had lunch with other artists after "Quick Draw" on Wednesday at Frank Bette art center. The rest of time I ate one banana and one or two cucumbers for dinner. Each night I studied and fixed some little details I didn't like until well after midnight. I didn't have time to chat with my beautiful host lady. When I painted in the afternoon at Encinal Yacht Club on Thursday, I felt my brain seemed already numb and not responding. I brought my painting to another artist asking for an opinion, she suggested I should stop. I did stop and made decision to come home on Friday morning because it was our framing day. Got up at 5 am, I still caught the traffic. Good news is I've found that I've lost 6

After about four hours sleep, I was all over the place. I painted at Crab Cove beach this morning. It was windy and cold, there was nobody on the beach. After my drawing was done, I had to move to a nearby the bathroom, because the wind kept blowing my painting board. Afternoon, a couple artists including me painted at a private Aeolian Yacht Club. I had my morning experience, so just laid my easel on the dock water counter top to paint. I finished one, saw a nearby artist had done four pastel paintings already, though he started a little earlier than me. Rushed and painted at Grand Marina again. An older age guy came to me and pointed my car and asked me to move. Because it was their reserved spot, his wife just went to shopping. I apologized and moved, thought how I couldn't even see the sign. Exhausted already. Tomorrow is the "Quick Draw", I have no clue what I am going to paint in a very limited amount of time. And I don't know Alameda much... It was only my

Every piece before we paint for the event needs to be stamped. My first time to attend an official five-day long Plein Air event. I am the lucky last name on the artist names on the attached flyer. A great way to meet and learn from other artists. Look forward to meeting our local friends. I checked in at Frank Bette Art Center in the morning. It seemed that every artist knew what he/she was doing. My first time I had hard time to organize my own stuff. Met a couple of artists I knew, and met Genie Scot, who manages this event each year. She answered all of my confused questions clearly. I came to the Grand Marian dock, started painting. Felt stiff to paint on the stamped paper. Posting what I have done so far, vertical was the first one, 5"x7", horizontal one I did 2nd, 11"x14". People of Alameda they are nice and friendly. Not only did I got some compliments, but also I think I've got a commission work as well. BTW, I've started to introduce myself as &q

The 20.1 acre property is the remnant of the California Nursery Company, a once a grand nursery operation that brought notable presence to the East Bay and was significantly associated with the evolution of the nursery industry on a statewide level. The California Nursery Company's history dates back to Jose de Jesus Vallejo (1797-1882) who served as the administrator of the old Mission San Jose and military commander of San Jose. Other notable owners were Jonas Clark (1862), John Rock (1865), Williams Landers (1899) and the George C. Roeding family (1917-1968). Information from the park website: https://www.fremont.gov/325/Historical-Parks-Facilities   (April 11 2018)

It was raining in the morning, I thought that I couldn't paint out, might be stay in bed a little longer... Ended up Google maps directed me to a wrong location. Finally, I found out that we painted warm and dry with the other artists at an artist's gorgeous home. I felt regret that I had chosen today as my first fasting day of the new year. In addition to the wonderful people, there was delicious food, wine and snacks served at this artist's home. Sun came out finally, everything looked more beautiful, but my still life painting wasn't finished... My original artwork @ http://xueling-zou.pixels.com/

"It’s all about the journey, not the outcome." – Carl Lewis There is something in the Olympics, indefinable, springing from the soul, inspires all of us for centuries. We watch the games not because who win the medals. It is about before the dreams brought into reality through ones consistent effort, determination, dedication, and self-discipline/motivation. Especially during the Winter Olympics, there were many of tearful stories behind each champions... Believe it or not, being an artist I feel the same. Like today, it was cold and windy this morning. No one says that I have to go out painting in a cold day. But I know I must do it. No matter the result, I think it is my journey to experience and share. It was warm 78 degree from last week, suddenly it dropped down back to 40's, it was only 57 degree at noon today. Yes, I did it again! More original artwork @ http://xueling-zou.pixels.com/

Weather forecast showed that today would be a pleasant day. Early spring, birds were so active hanging around the lake, some of them were chasing others, making a certain amount of sound. I stood in the shade, felt cold in the breezy wind from the lake, so lucky I had my jacket on, though it was 70 degrees out. After four-hours standing and painting, I was starving and got a bad headache. I didn't think it was a smooth day, couldn't find my way home nearby where I lived, had to turn the GPS on. But I still want to go back to paint from a different angle. More original artwork @ http://xueling-zou.pixels.com/

Roberto-Suñol Adobe, San Jose, CA where is a historical place to paint. The garden was beautiful, I started drawing immediately. Then I thought it was complicated and how I could finish this watercolor painting in such a limited time. So I decided only to use my large brushes, ignoring all the details, focusing on light, positive and negative shapes, wet into wet techniques, etc... After the painting done, I joined the tour at the museum, learned some history about this location. Spring is coming, cold in the morning, but it was about 70 degree during noon already.

Being an outdoor painter, checking the weather forecast is very important. It was a beautiful day yesterday, I didn't bother to check and was excited to find a great new nature preserve. There were many kinds of birds, the dramatic sky, distant mountains... What a perfect place to paint a landscape in watercolors. Marilyn saw me painting and took a p hoto of me, she mentioned that it was going to rain. It did start raining only a few minutes after she left. I was crazily in rush packing my staff, while a nice gentleman was passing by and offered if he could help. I should say thanks instead of "No!", and wished he were an umbrella... It is so easy to miss an opportunity to show one's appreciation. I hope to meet this person again to say a big Thanks! So far I have been quite spoiled with our lovely California weather. I really am grateful in life, no matter little thing or big, they all inspire me to paint. More original artwork @  http://xueling-zou.pixels.

Plein air @ Bernal Historic Ranch Park, CA. My 2nd time to paint here. Last time, a little boy came by to critique my painting, he wanted me paint a blue sky. Today, I painted a blue sky, I was painting for him... Where was he? Hope you will like my first little animated story about my plain air @ Bernal Historic Ranch Park, CA. I had fun to edit it on my smart phone by using very limited phone captures and a nice soundtrack🎬. Sure I will do better next time.