Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Gorgeous day in Carmel, we decided to paint the narrow road scene on the hill behind the Highland Inn where we stayed for two nights. It was just across the narrow road off the the parking lot of the hotel.  Afternoon light shone on a white house hiding deep into all the trees looked intriguing.  We wanted to paint it since our last trip. Set up our easels, straight away working on the painting.  A young woman came and told us that we were on her property, the little parking area off the narrow road.  And also she said that she would call the hotel and come out to check us too ...so we left, then did the rest of our 1st paintings inside our room, lol...  Wednesday morning we got up late, and went to Garrapata State Park.  Immediately I saw the sign of MPAPA's sign, so I knew that the local Plein Air painters were painting in  the park.   I saw Teresa first, she was from the South Bay area like us.  She was working on a beautiful pastel piece.  After chatting with her,  we then saw

In the morning on the way back from my dentist, found this old factory warehouse surrounded by new buildings. Felt an urgent need to paint it, because it might be gone someday soon... I painted under the open air roof protecting machines and tools from the sun, so I kept moving to stay in the shade.  A bell rang once for several times in the distance, I couldn't detect where it came from. A guy drove by in a pick up truck and stopped next to where I was painting.  He politely asked me if he could help.  I told him that I was painting the buildings.  Seemed that he really understood as he said that we need to keep record of it before they were destroyed. All the land is getting more expensive in Silicon Valley. But this area looked so peaceful, there were orange orchards and this precious old part of a warehouse remaining.  A couple of private properties were hiding behind but I couldn't go in to see them.  (September 23 2022)

I didn't go out painting last week, because of the dog day week. There were several painting location ideas in my mind this morning, so I drove the car to check out some locations. Non of them worked, might be the gray morning. So, I set my work station up in front of the catholic church so I could paint the old adobe building.  Spent a long time drawing.  I saw a guy was standing in front of the campus wall.  He stood there for a long time, I was able to draw him into my work. I always could get inspired by the beautiful campus at Santa Clara university. There was a construction nearby, I could hear the loud noise. A lady carried a child walked by asking me for directions, felt bad that I could not help. Later a Mexican gardening guy came blowing leaves by the church. He was kind and tried to avoid the area where I was painting. Took much longer to finish and it was getting hot around noon. (September 12 2022)

Thought I could check the painting location out, so talked to my host family about staying on Sunday night for an early start. First time in my life that I got a flat tire on my way up to Alameda. Lucky my husband was able to drive all they way and fix the tire before it turned 100 percent dark. (The little nail ruined my tire when I just arrived S Shore Center) Day one It was my fourth time participating in the event. After registering, I got my watercolor papers stamped, then caught up with a couple of long-time-no-see artists and volunteers. (First painting was done at the Grand Marina Boatyard) Of course I always start painting at the Grand Marina. Because I've found many subjects that I could work on there. It was sprinkling rain, so I had to move my stuff during painting to a covered place at least six or seven times. People working there mostly were Mexican guys. They were listening to the radio playing happy Mexican songs while working. One even sang loudly along. Took me l

Wanted to paint at this location for years. It might be one of the largest farmer's market in the South Bay, it attracts many people. Finally I decided to go and quickly made my up mind to paint in the shade. I had an 8"x10" watercolor paper was left over stamp from the Alameda paint out, so it was a good to use for this small study. An old painting friend talked to me, she came to paint as well. Nice of her to take a photo while I was working on the piece. She told me that she would paint nearby the entrance. Many curious people talked and complimented my work. Not every one was polite enough to ask my permission to take photo or capture a video. A lady pretended she saw me somewhere before, her daughter took a video from behind of her. I wonder if it was the right way to teach her child? Finished my small study, bought two kinds of fresh vegetables. dragged my stuff along the market, I could not find my painting friend. Getting crowded so I decided to leave.