Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Gorgeous day after many days of high heat. Decided to go back and paint an unfinished subject. There was some construction going on at the port. Always something new to freshen my mind, than had to change my mind to this beautiful red boat, that a guy was working on or maybe cleaning it. It started breezy, but the wind was getting stronger near noon. I hesitated whether adding some darker ocean blue was needed in the foreground of my painting till the very end. Because of countless times failing, I was afraid to do so. Finally, I added the darker color, my painting instantly looked better with depth. Took a deep breath and headed back home. (September 1 2021) August 17, I didn't manage time well to finish this one, rushed to go a birthday party...

Went to the same location again. Started with a small sketch, the drawing took me much longer to finish. It was breezy at the marina first, sooner it was getting a little bit windy than I couldn't handle it well. Geese were happy there, a guy was feeding them bread, though I was told that one should not feed the wildlife. Well, they needed more food to grow and fly back to Canada I thought. Kids were excited to learn how to sail. I felt cold in the wind, and had to put on the extra jacket that I brought. Couldn't get the fine lines of the rigging details with all the wind. So retouched it at home.  {June 23 2021}

Beautiful day in the 70s, painted at Redwood City Marina again. All the kids started earlier than me for their summer sailing lessons. Geese were happily enjoying eating the grass nearby. I found a shady spot and painted. Focused my practice on the clouds and remembered to take photos of my progress step by step for some friends' requests. Before I wrapped up, a large group of geese had almost occupied the area where I was standing. They were waiting patiently and watching for their leader's signal I guessed.  The adults were standing still, at the same time, some of the youngest geese in the group were eating or resting with their mothers watching over them very carefully, especially the ones that were very close to me. Will be back soon... (June 22 2021)

Drove to the location, walked around in the morning. Felt I could be here and paint more often, and excited to discover a new place to paint boats that isn't too far from me, compared to other piers in Bay Area. There were many geese nearby the port, they looked like they are living there peacefully. But there was too much poo everywhere. So I decided not to paint nearby them today. Found a sailboat to work on. It was a little windy and I hadn't painted boat for a while.  Not a smooth day, and not a easy subject, will be back to practice for sure... In the end, I tried to find a restroom to use. An older guy very cautiously guided me to the other side of the building but none of them were open. Luckily it was lunch time, I asked for help from a lady working inside office with the door open. She lead me back to the other building to use the restroom. I thought that everything is back to normal started on June 15 today, but seemed the facilities are not ready to the public y

(March 16 2021) Overdressed today and painted at the location outdoors, just because it was very cold yesterday and frost was on the rooftops this morning. We even could see the snow on atop of the distant mountains. Airplanes flew overhead. That made me wonder when it will be safe to travel again... It has been exactly one year since the challenging COVID-19 lockdown started. Started with a small sketch, ended up to I painted a totally different angle of this yellow sailboat called "Golden Fin". So nice being outdoor with fresh air...

Long and tiring day, drove more than 140 miles, not counting the milage getting lost when both my car GPS and Google maps lost signal and took me in the wrong direction. It was worth the long way drive, to paint at such an inspiring historic location on a gorgeous day. I instantly found the boat that I wanted to paint, only set up took me longer time, my umbrella kept falling down to the ground with every little bit of wind. Finally Al, the organizer artist, helped and made it stable. There were still many people at the wharf even though it was a weekday. Some of them might be coming daily to buy fresh fish. I didn't have time to think anything else, tried to focus on my work. A motorcycle never turned off the engine, made very loud noises behind me. The situation improved after the motorcycle was gone. On the way home, I saw so many Mexican workers working in the fields, and I knew they were hard working people, their lives were not easy in this country, especially during the pand

Drove to Santa Cruz in the foggy morning, surprisingly caught into traffic, because of one lanes was closed on Route 17. Very difficult decision which subject to paint, they were all beautiful with very interesting reflections. And boats could sail away if I only focus one... Beautiful day but cold, air was so fresh at the harbor. Sun was strong shone on my watercolor paper and reflected into my eyes. Luckily I brought my Plein Air umbrella. My umbrella was blown into the water when I painted here last time. So I made sure it was set up properly. Tired, left before 2 pm, almost no traffic all the way back home.

I love boats, studying on boats is a joy to me.  I can easily wander around dock, look at each one of the boats, take countless photos for hours.  Of course, I enjoy painting them as well.  To me, getting the best composition is the key of an successful painting, then shape, color palette... "The act of painting is a spiritual covenant between the maker and the higher powers. the Intent of the artist flows through the work of art, no matter what the technique or style."  (―Audrey Flack "Art &Soul - Notes on Creating") "It almost doesn't matter what you paint. It is what takes place during the act of painting that matters. It doesn't matter what style or technique you use. It is the artistic result and personal development that counts." As Joseph Addison (1672 – 1719, English essayist, poet, playwright and politician.) said, "The chief ingredients in the composition of those qualities that gain esteem and praise, are good nature, truth, go