Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

It has been over a week since I painted out. I always wanted to come back to this place and paint in spring, finally I made it before all the grasses turned yellow. Found a peaceful spot in the shade, watching all the girls cleaning the horses, then riding them on the trails while I was painting. There was a lady training a horse and made the area full of dust near me. That horse might be not cooperating. I heard the trainer using a whip in the air and talking to the horse, "what kind of horse are you" One young girl finished her riding and came to see my painting. She told me that she read books and found out she really loved horses since she was a child. Another lady Tania complimented my painting and we had chat. She told me something about horses I didn't know after she saw a horse in my painting. She wasn't Russian, but her name was given from her mother's Russian friend. What a lovely day and got to paint at this beautiful place! (April 15 2022)

Watercolor pencil sketch @ Shoshone falls park.  105 degrees in the afternoon... August was a busy month, though we took several days for a short vacation after the Alameda Plein Air event. It was our first time in Idaho, and my first trip since the pandemic. Landed at Boise, rented a car and drove for hours to Ketchum. One of my husband's brothers Stephen just retired and his girlfriend Laura rented a beautiful apartment for one month and invited us to visit them there. Arrived around dinner time, and they had a welcome dinner well prepared with everything was from the local farmer's market. Of course it included the most famous Idaho delicious potatoes, barbequed lamb shoulder, and fresh vegetable salad as well. A yummy apple pie, introduced by Opera Winfred. We had our own bedroom, with a decent size bathroom attached. The quality of the building was super-good compared to California construction. Later we found out that the beautiful while house just across the street was E...

Jan 13 I didn't want to miss painting outdoors in such a gorgeous day, sunny and warm. Painted at this peaceful location, saw many beautiful horses, and the same old couple walking on the trail holding their hands. It was only five weeks ago I painted at the same location. The grass had turned green after rain. Not much rain so far, not sure if California agriculture would have a harvest year if there wasn't enough water naturally. It was 68 degrees around noon. Several Mexican landscapers had their lunch break nearby me. I don't understand Spanish, but I could hear they were chatting happily. California provide them good opportunities, or should say they helped California develop. Then a lady passed by, she was curious what I was working on, and gave me compliment. She also asked if I painted it on an i-pad or a PC. My mind was frozen for a second, and told her that I painted on traditional watercolor paper. She left with her surprised face. Felt a little sorry for her, ha...