Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Beautiful day, but a little bit hot, typical Indian summer. Passed by this museum countless times, I never thought that it would be an interesting place to paint. The architecture and landscape design definitely transports visitors to a foreign country. Walked around and took some reference pictures, I kept asking myself why I didn't come here to paint before. After while I found an unusual spot I really wanted to paint. A person came to me and told me that he was going to do a maintenance cleaning job inside and out exactly where I was. Finally, I sit down to paint in the shade. When I did washes on paper, I tried to remember I should control not over do it. Nice place, will be back some day for sure! ----  09/12/2019 Does anyone know what this architecture is for? The morning light and shadows from the skylight and the windows inside this building shone geometric shapes on the floor and pillars that were unique and interesting. I had to push myself standing at the end against the

Which painting do you like? #1 today's or #3 spring time? Second time painting the same subject, last time I did it in the afternoon. Today it was hot, I was well prepared and painted on the side walk path under trees. I didn't plan to paint the car, the composition I don't usually set up in the very middle. I remembered that one of my paintings sold to a shop owner nearby, his wife told me that my painting was all about his life, shop, boat and car... I thought I had to add the car into my painting, because that the story behind the subject was drawing me back again. Light and shadows were very different than when I painted here last spring, but much quieter, maybe due to the pandemic. The fence next to me was somebody's backyard where a guy was working inside, and I could hear his young age daughter calling him a couple times. He listened to the radio the song was "Hotel California", it really helped me got into the feeling to paint! Living in California abo

Sunny day with improved air quality. Planned to paint and meet our local watercolor group, but I didn't see anyone. A possibility of being the wrong location. Never mind, morning light and shadows near the outdoor eating garden were very interesting. Experimented a limited color palette and a vertical layout. My Strada easel setup wasn't suitable for painting verticals, it was reach the maximum of the holding 15" area, and wasn't stable especially on a windy day. No wind today, getting hot near the noon. Had to move into the shade, a waiter moved away the chairs I was working on. Saw a fewer people, enjoyed the peaceful moment, and painted loosely... but not happy with the result, colors look too muddy... Just another practice work.

It was raining a bit this morning when I was driving to the location. Rain stopped and it was gray, disappointed to see the water lilies were not blooming after I was expecting to paint them since my first time painted here. I guess that could change my mood to paint. Sun came out, and it was getting hot. Then I saw water lilies started blooming, ducks swimming around, koi fish jumped out of the water once a while... Actually it was a quite clean day after weeks of polluted air. Didn't think too much but kept working on the water lilies. Got stuck and got good feedback instantly from another artist friend. Felt lucky and always enjoyed painting with other artists together. I had no idea why I painted it so dark by using Monet's color pallet, except mine was watercolor. Maybe spend too much time in all the museums I had possibly to visit all the greatest masters work. Does it mean good or bad to be Influenced by others?

🙏Say prayers for all the people impacted by the fires in California! It looked gray, not too smoky, might be still effected by the nearby fire. Good to know that such an oriental garden exists in Silicon Valley. First time I came here, and so happy to see 10 other artists at the location and what they painted. I instantly found my spot to paint. Actually the whole garden was under major works, the pond was dry. I stood at the bottom of the pond to paint. Took me a while to do a small study, and draw the bridge, added my own water into the pond . After my painting was done, Will Maller, a very respected artist used his own made Golden radial ruler measured my work, seemed everything located by following the Golden rules. Did that mean my composition was perfect? I doubted it.... Had got some compliments from other artists. I think they were very kind and encouraged me. Later I walked further, found out a water lily pond behind, I will be back soon for sure. (August 31 2020)

Came to one of my favorite places to paint in the afternoon. Just because I thought the subject I wanted to paint was more interesting in the afternoon light. But two main things I had forgotten, one was my paper towels, I only had two pieces super soft napkins handy. The other thing was heavy truck traffic around where I painted. It was a very noisy intersection, endless trucks passing by. Also it was windy, and I was facing the west direction, felt the sun always shone on my eyes. I guessed it was good for erasing the unnecessary details. A couple of passengers passing by, they were curious what I was doing. The result was good enough. And I had to run for the restroom, lol...because there wasn't public one nearby.

I was very happy that the owner of the shop bought my original Plein Air work. His wife told me that my painting meant so much to him and his family. He was the forth or fifth generation owned the shop. He was so proud of his family business, also he already used my painting picture as his smart phone's screen saver. All my hard work is worth it just for hearing such a heartwarming story.

2020 Day13 Instantly decided to go and paint at Alviso after looking out of window and seeing those dramatic clouds in the early afternoon. I changed my strategy to avoid rush hour traffic. Came for the landscape for sure, but also any unique subject that I couldn't see often I would do it. I discovered a group of mushrooms and did a watercolor sketch. I didn't bring a chair, couldn't sit on the wet ground. You could imagine it wasn't easy to do. It was a beautiful day. We don't usually see clouds, only during our winter rainy season. The wet land looked amazing with the reflection of the clouds in the water. Suddenly, hundreds birds started flying together. Super bright white birds against the mountains with the shadow of the clouds in the background. That precious moment what I saw really took my breath away. Then I parked my car, decided to wait to see the birds flying together again. Did a sketch while I was waiting. What I was waiting for did not happen,

A gorgeous sunny warm day after the rains. First time at this location. I love plants, and it was not easy to me to start painting. Had to remind myself many times that I was here to paint, not shopping for plants. Then I decided to paint this large blue pot with a 'natives" sign inside the pot. Love this blue color, and all the native plants surrounding it. Didn't remember any of those names... Do you love plants?

  Arrived at the location around 10am, just tried to avoid traffic in the morning. This unique building of the Laine's Bites shop was the one I had wanted to paint for a while, set up my station under a young tree with enough shade. A guy was sweeping the street, looked like he was trying to clean off all the dirt from the ground. There was so much dust in the air, I felt it hard to breath, my street parked car was covered with dust very soon. It was OK, I kept telling myself, and focused on my work... Maybe an hour later after the sweeping guy left, a spaying water truck started to clean the street. It was the most busy, small T-junction with endless huge trucks passing by both ways with the loudest squishing noises of heavy metal sounds. Wow, it was my first time to deal with this kind of situation, most of time I had to wait for the trucks to pass by, just because I want to see the object I was working on. The sweeping truck was back and forth at least 10 times in front of

Planned to paint at the The New Almaden quicksilver mine. Curious about the location when I was driving by the Casa Grande, a historic building dating back to 1824. Turned around and found a perfect shady spot to paint. It was very quiet, saw a couple cars parking there. The museum was closed. Only birds were singing loud...Saw a huge green pine cone. I had to take a selfie to compare it with my head. Still felt hot near noon...

So quiet and empty, I felt lost and confused while driving on the the same road in the same town. Everywhere looks much better without traffic doesn't it? I really like this little historical place, very paintable. Did a quick sketch, but it didn't help to lock my painting into a better composition. What I enjoyed painting directly on the paper with my watercolor brush without drawing, so my painting came out loose. Happy Labor Day! Hard to believe it is the beginning of September already. Hope everyone enjoy today and have a great month!

Bugs like my watercolors in spring... lol. I didn't know about this park till today. Still under 60 degrees out, not a warm day. Felt like somewhere in China all of a sudden. Lucky me not only have so many friends all over the world supporting my art every day, and also my family members helped and delivered a couple of new 140b big and small watercolor blocks which were made in Holland, and a new watercolor palette with 17 wells from China. I used a couple of new watercolor paints I ordered online. Hadn't gotten to used them yet. Anyway, keep practicing... I don't usually paint for using all the tricks, today's painting I used some sea salt on the tree area, wanted to express the spring blossom feeling, but the sea salt I used not absorbed properly

First time painting at the Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, CA. I've passed by it countless times, never thought it was an interesting place to paint. Actually, not only it was worth a visit, it is also a beautiful spot - a gorgeous mansion surrounded by lovely landscape. It was cold in the morning, but the light and shadows in winter had become unique shapes and contrasts. I would like to go back to paint again as today, I didn't paint the main building.

Really forgetful these days, I didn't bring my brushes, only an old rough one in my new tool box. So, I used my pallet knife and the #8 rough flat brush working on a small panel 8"x10". I was OK, I guess the Chinese Calligraphy training at young age did help me. The only issue that we had experienced a gorgeous 70 degree day yesterday, so i did not bring enough clothing for painting out, especially painting in the wind feeling chilly. And there was no bathroom at this location. Hahaha, the rest story depends on your own imagination.... My original artwork @ https://xueling-zou.pixels.com/galleries.html    OR you can find me @ https://about.me/xuelingzou

"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

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.

Switching to oil 12"x12".  Beautiful and warm after days of rain. There were many free range chicken, who were huge and friendly. They knew they could get food from people I believe. No food from me today. First time plein air at Emma Prusch Farm Park, San Jose, CA, and the first time I painted out in oil, I had to concentrate. Still they were cute, I took some photos for future painting project😊. I'm on Instagram.com, welcome to follow@https://www.instagram.com/artxuelingzou/ Please visit my website for more original art @https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/xueling-zou/shop

This property, Carson House, located at Almaden historic district, San Jose, California. It has been placed on the National register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior. The one I painted was based on the sketches I did on Christmas day 2017. After the painting was done, I did some research to view the old photos, and realized that there was no cactus in front of the house. I wonder how old those cactus are. The red color fruits on the cactus are very beautiful too. It made me really want to visit this museum as well, but it was closed. Next time I will make it. Original watercolor of this painting is available for a collector.  Please view a better image @ https://fineartamerica.com/featured/carson-house-california-landscape-6-xueling-zou.html?viewall=true Carson House 1854  One of three complete adobe house in New Almaden made of creek gravel and adobe mud. From the plaque on the wall:  In 1855 a plan of the settlement of the Hacienda, incl