Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Sunny and a warm day at our local nursery. I definitely over dressed with my down jacket on, felt hot in sun. I never thought that there was so much to paint at a nursery, it wasn't easy to make a decision. Time passed by quickly, so I painted this one. Still felt stiff both in my brain and my hand after two months not painting out much. Well, it always is good to get started again, right? Then I used an APP to test the result of today's work by adding a frame.

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)

Went to beautiful Lan Su Chinese Garden while visiting a friend of mine in Portland , OR during August, 2018. Saw two American women trying to figure out how to pray for Kau Cim fortune telling. So I demonstrated it to them by having this lucky fortune that said, "You have been given talent and skill; those gifts will bring success in life." I brought it home. Hope it is true. (Updating from August, 2018)

I really enjoy painting in Alameda now, just because there are so many different kinds of subjects I love to do, one of them is boats, of course. Yes, I painted at Grand Marina again. I did one of the same boats as during the event week, but I was not happy with the result. So I had to come back to paint it before the opening reception. It was much warmer weather than the week before. Actually I felt hot standing and painting in the sun. The big boat had changed its angle since my drawing was done, they were working on fixing it. A couple of nice local people passing by and told me that they liked my work, thought the boat looked prettier in my painting than the real one. Still I got caught in traffic though I left home in the early afternoon. (Updating from August 10, 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

My 2nd time I've come here to paint at this beautiful private estate in the Santa Cruz mountains. The owner lady was warm and energetic! The 20 acre estate has three ponds, a beautiful home, amazing flower gardens, vegetable garden, redwood trees, and sculptures, etc.. She has a new project, there will be another lovely garden for hummingbirds and butterflies. I saw many kids' drawing beautiful cars. But I was struggling from the very beginning of the drawing, till came back home studio to fix this antique car. I kept telling myself that they were only shapes, but not sure why I had such a difficult time painting today. Please view my online galleries @  https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/index.html?tab=galleries

Today looked like a pleasant day, but it was cold and windy at the location, my second time painting here. There were many little flies sticking on to my wet painting. Six hours painting outdoors, light kept changing, but I could finish this 12"x9" small piece painting. Had to wait till it got drier to fix it. Felt starving, cold and tired... (June 1 2018) This original painting and prints are available   @ https://fineartamerica.com/featured/shoreline-lake-boathouse-mountain-view-california-landscape-16-xueling-zou.html

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/

"When you follow the dream in your heart, you’re energized, inspired, and motivated.” Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1882 American essayist, lecturer, and poet). It was quiet this morning. Not many people passing by. Later getting busier, many trucks stopped to deliver to shops. Wow, it was so warm, about 78 degrees. I finished drinking a whole bottle of water, it reminded me that I really need more water in summer. Again, there was no light on the wall when I started painting. Tiring day from the heat I guess. Santana Row is not only a residential area, also it is a commercial district, full of designer brand shops, bars and restaurants. I used to be a city girl, enjoyed the city life and activities because I was born and raised in one of the oldest cities, Beijing. California life style or maybe living in Silicon Valley, has changed me so much, outdoors for nature and shopping online are my regular activities. I have been to Santana Row only a few times. On the other side from

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/