Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Started a little late. There wasn't a real nice spot for me to paint this bridge. Some people exercising on the trial, running, biking, walking... It was a good exercise for me moving my stuff around to paint, sunshine was too bright on the paper. I really have to get ready for Alameda Plein Air event, no doubt! But my allergies are killing me these days.

Back to my local Plein Air life. It was a lovely breezy day. Both Google maps on my smartphone and the car GPS could not get signals near the location. I told myself that I should always double check my stuff before go out to paint many times, but I forgot to bring the part that connects the tripod and the easel, had to set up and paint on the ground.. What an adorable retirement life for those who were living there, I thought! How would I make it to such a gorgeous place being an artist? LOL🤣...Did a small drawing and a painting. Quite place, will be back again. Maryknoll is a magnificent building easily visible from I-280 just north of the Foothill Expressway Exit. It was built in 1926 as a Catholic seminary for students preparing to enter the Maryknoll order, a Catholic society dedicated to missionary work in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. In the mid 1970’s it was converted to a residence for retired Brothers. The architecture contains Spanish mission, Baroque, and Oriental inf

What a gorgeous day came back to paint, though it was windy and chilly. There were a couple of beautiful pine trees and surrounding rocks on the edge of the cliffs were beautiful, especially under the morning light. I was so focused on my work, constantly stopped, backed up to view how I did... Once I backed up a little further, suddenly I noticed that I was standing on the very edge of the cliff, lucky me that I didn't fall, lol... Yesterday I planned to paint at Pigeon's Point Lighthouse, but the weather report indicated very strong winds there, so I didn't go. Then I went to San Jose area, found a historical warehouse I wanted to paint, but there were three small dogs barking next to me endlessly, I had to give it up...  (April 10 2019

My first time came to this park to paint. Planned it for weeks, but there was a chance of rain. Kept checking on the location's weather, finally I made it. Such a beautiful place, there were docks and boats. Though there was some work going on in the park, and there were frequent airplanes flying overhead, I didn't notice. Happy to meet new people. Will be back to paint for sure. It started raining when I was leaving. Not mention there is traffic all day long on Route 101...

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

Gorgeous and warm day. Painted at Saratoga Heritage Orchard next to the library. Finally spring came, though there was frost on roof this morning. Beautiful apricot and cherry trees just start blooming. I have allergies and have to cover myself well outdoors. Some nice people came by to talk to me while I was painting. Thought I could paint more than one, but the allergies had made me tired... Please view this video I made that there was a coyote there before I started painting in the morning.

Raining for days, working @ my studio... Finally my old color palette is fallen apart. First, the 2 lids were broken, one was the lid of the container, and the other one was for covering the paints area. Then the side of the box was broken. So I glued everything back together. I have been using it on and off at studio and outdoors at least 15 years I believe. Though I had bought a few different palettes, still this is my most favorite one, functional and light in weight. I don't need too many colors, and I love it has large and deep area holding each color, it is just the simple right size for me. This time I won't able to glue everything back again unfortunately, have to let it go... My new order is on the way...

First time I came to this park. Unfortunately, the road inside the park was closed. There was too much rain recently, I guess. I didn't want to give it up though so I found a neighborhood that looked interesting to paint on the outside road. That was what I did today, not easy in a gray day though. Usually I would bring the masking fluid and salt. I didn't have them with me today so I had to paint carefully. But I am not sure if I like the result. Only thing that I'm sure of is to keep doing it.

It was a gray, cold and rainy day. Went to a local artist's house for painting. It was a beautiful property with gorgeous landscaping. Hard to make a decision where to paint... Painted from this angle, I could imagine if it were a sunny day, the light and shadows could make a big difference. My watercolor refused to dry, so I had to stop... And we had a delicious lunch there. Thanks very much for such great hospitality!

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.

Cold early morning, about 35 degrees, went to the South Bay Yacht Club for outdoor painting. I always love to paint boats. But I painted a landscape today instead, just because we rarely see snowy mountains in Silicon Valley. Felt like I was painting somewhere else. I will go back to that location to paint boats other days for sure.

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

The 20.1 acre property is the remnant of the California Nursery Company, a once a grand nursery operation that brought notable presence to the East Bay and was significantly associated with the evolution of the nursery industry on a statewide level. The California Nursery Company's history dates back to Jose de Jesus Vallejo (1797-1882) who served as the administrator of the old Mission San Jose and military commander of San Jose. Other notable owners were Jonas Clark (1862), John Rock (1865), Williams Landers (1899) and the George C. Roeding family (1917-1968). Information from the park website: https://www.fremont.gov/325/Historical-Parks-Facilities   (April 11 2018)

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/

Being an outdoor painter, checking the weather forecast is very important. It was a beautiful day yesterday, I didn't bother to check and was excited to find a great new nature preserve. There were many kinds of birds, the dramatic sky, distant mountains... What a perfect place to paint a landscape in watercolors. Marilyn saw me painting and took a p hoto of me, she mentioned that it was going to rain. It did start raining only a few minutes after she left. I was crazily in rush packing my staff, while a nice gentleman was passing by and offered if he could help. I should say thanks instead of "No!", and wished he were an umbrella... It is so easy to miss an opportunity to show one's appreciation. I hope to meet this person again to say a big Thanks! So far I have been quite spoiled with our lovely California weather. I really am grateful in life, no matter little thing or big, they all inspire me to paint. More original artwork @  http://xueling-zou.pixels.

"Cherish your own emotions and never undervalue them." -- Robert Henri It wasn't warm, about 50 degrees this morning. There were many surfers at the beach already. Some of them were not young, still so brave. I really admire them all. Light is the source of the reality, can change the way you look at everything. Later the sun came out, felt warm, but my painting didn't look right any more... It was the challenging part of painting out. I've learned for years that creating a good piece of art, artist should respect one's own emotion first. What do you think?

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