Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Nov. 19 My first time at this location, and I had no idea the landscape looked so flat, very little to work with. I almost wanted to quit, then I decided to looked around and found this curved pathway winding towards the distant mountains.  The clouds were dramatic.  We don't usually see clouds here, only during the rainy season.  So I focused on practicing painting the clouds, moved some trees from my left to the right.  Added a couple walking in my painting towards the end.   After several years of painting outdoors, I've realized that Plein Air is not only about connecting with, or discovering the beauty of nature, but it also about learning how to address multiple dimensions at once, like being out of my comfort zone, overcoming my unwillingness, and practicing and finding inspiration no matter what nature presents.

Silicon valley is famous for high tech and multi-cultural for sure. It was only 37 degrees in the morning, I really didn't want to go out. After a short hesitation, I drove to the location again, not far from where I live. There are many streets named after the greatest masters near the orchard. I turned into Manet Dr, turned to Michelangelo Dr, passed by Rembrandt, Picasso, Matisse, Sargent, Chopin, etc... I wonder why and who decided to name all the streets? Anyway, felt instantly inspired and started my painting. To me, the process of creating art is my meditation. Following my feeling and inner visual voice are more important queues than painting what is exactly in front of my eyes. So I concentrated on my work... "Your painting looks nice!". I jumped and almost screamed, an Indian lady wearing a Sari behind me said so, and I scared her away. Than we apologized to each other, started laughing... Later, a softer voice in a Japanese accent , "Do you come here to ...

Super foggy morning usually means a nice sunny day here. All the apricot trees are blooming yet, only started having buds. Seeing tree branches in winter is one of my favorite things, believe it or not. Even better to paint them here. My half-year allergy just started recently. Yesterday saw Tim Saternow's demo. Planned to try some tips he shared with us. But my own painting habit was not easy to break. Will remember to try next time...

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.