Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

It is a good time for me to slow down a little bit. Cleaning up my studio, at the same time reorganizing my physical work area and myself mentally as well. I stacked my Plein Air watercolor works together (some of them were painted both sides) since I started my outdoor painting journey about two and a half years ago. These don't include about 100 oil outdoor paintings, a couple of sketch books with drawings, still-life, figure and portrait studies, some have been mated or framed or are exhibiting now, and some works sold...

Got to love it, there was no traffic driving from south bay to the city. A gorgeous day, no wind, my first time painting there with one of my photographer friends. But the Golden Gate Bridge was under maintenance... Such a beautiful spot, every angle I could paint. My friend took some photos while I was working and I didn't notice, after I found a bird flying over my head. She told me that she was waiting for that moment for a while. We had great time together. I must go back again.

At Santa Cruz Art League, I was surprised and humbled that one of my Plein Air paintings has received an Honorable mention award from Juror Warren Chang at 90th Annual Statewide California Landscapes Exhibition. There are many beautiful California landscape paintings to see, please go to enjoy it if you have time. It opens till April 12th 2020. I pulled out the pictures I took on the day I painted this one "Plein Air at Wildwood Park Saratoga CA". And it reminded me that I forgot to bring my clips, so I borrowed them from other artists at the location. Thanks for all the strength it brings us to work together with other artists! This is the link of the opening reception:  https://www.facebook.com/100002905923076/videos/pcb.2717108345062670/2717108258396012/?__cft__[0]=AZX7CkCloYc9Bkzp0uQzYFtSos1MvcoQrRjdl1t_JqIXx-0imb3T6RfknNWdcGMr3elCjBRtGX1wx5k1fw2Wy51wBEy501bEeLXs2ZAop_24Lb9xQb5rgu2-hH__S2llPr-b-8fJh4F3qMQK9XCp-QKV&__tn__=*bH-R

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.

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.

2nd time I've come to this location, last time probably half a year ago. Really wanted to paint different scenes than the previous visit. Ended up I painted the same barns, only about 25 to 30 degrees differently than last time. It was a little bit windy and felt chilly in the shade. I thought that the one white car could balance the layout, actually there was a parking lot next to the building. The landscape plants were higher than the parking lot, the figures I put into the work looked confusing, how do you think? Also, my painting needs more contrast. Shall I add more darkness?

2020 Day22 Do you know the interesting history behind Meadowlark Dairy? Have you tried their dairy products yet? Each time, I saw people in queues in front of the Meadowlark Dairy as I was passing by. To satisfy my curiosity, I planned to do Plein Air, also because there was a demo of Stephen Berry's, organized by CWA at the Firehouse Art Center. It was gray with some sprinkling in the morning when I was on the road to Pleasanton. Luckily, it turned into beautiful with dramatic clouds. I didn't manage time well for my painting, some areas I had to leave them. Ran to the Firehouse Art Center. Stephen did a great demo, also his English was clear and easy to me to understand. But I heard my tummy was grumbling at the demo, realized that I didn't have lunch again. Haha, Chinese New Year is coming, there is plenty delicious food to enjoy then... Meadowlark was the first certified dairy in California founded in early 1900's. The dairy has been a drive-though since it o

2020 Day16 Raining day staying at home. This is what I painted today, spring onions in a clay pot next to the kitchen window. Chinese cooking needs spring onions. I buy a branch occasionally, and put them into this pot with water to keep them fresh. Could not recall how many times I wanted to paint it, especially during the afternoon when the sun shines on it. Unfortunately, there was no sunlight on a rainy day like today, but I won't complain, California needs the rain.

2020 Day11 No matter how busy during the weekend, I did not forget to do a watercolor sketch today... 2020 Day12 This watercolor sketch was what I did today. Are you a multitasking person? Can you create art while chatting? I have noticed there are people who manage time very well. I wish that I could be that way. But I feel time is chasing me all around, because I only can do one thing at the time, .. Time management is so important in life. I've known about it a long time, still have to learn how to manage mine better.

2020 Day7 Over an hour driving instead of thirty minutes on 101 this morning. Sunny day, came to one of my favorite spots to paint boats. There were clouds, air planes flying overhead, boats, birds and reflections in the water, trees and mountains in distance... I thought a boat on the ground being fixed was an interesting subject. Tried wet into wet technique. I know it is one of the tougher parts to master - using the right amount of water to paint spontaneously. I was happy with the study result. Mike, who was fixing the boat, told me that boat would be here next week. So I think I will be back to paint it again next week. Hopefully it only rains during the evening time, California needs it🌧.

2020 Day5 Tried to create another one for the upcoming Lunar New Year - Year of the Rat. Just a watercolor wash. Still thinking, will continue trying a couple more ideas...

2020 Day4 We bought this simple coffee espresso maker at least fifteen years ago. I painted it, because I was inspired by Keiko Tanabe' s demo a couple of months ago at our location. Her source was a local car wash, had the misty atmosphere which she recreated. It was a great idea! And finally I did this watercolor sketch by seeing my husband making coffee where the steam came out around the cup, which he bought recently from Starbucks Christmas sale. Just because he loved the cup had fox painted on it and it made him happy. I can not drink coffee nor tea, I mean the good quality ones. I tried thousands of times and ended up to just upset my stomach. Because I couldn't stand the tempting smells, had to experience the taste since I was young. Strong flavor or light fragrant coffee, green tea or black, you name them... Getting older, married to a guy who cannot live cannot coffee nor tea every day. He has to have them all super-strong too.

2020 Day3 I thought I should create a piece for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year - Year of the Rat by the auspicious symbols in our culture. I just don't want to copy the stuff I have. Spent hours in the afternoon, but the painting looked like this... I tried to think positively how I could improve the painting. Any suggestions?

2020 Day2 Have you been to the Red Barn at Stanford? Do you know it was a horse farm that produced champion racehorses before Stanford became a world class university? My first time visiting and painting at the location. It was a beautiful day, I brought a very young Chinese artist friend with me. We met at a watercolor event in Shanghai where she was from last year. She came to visit her relatives in Silicon Valley. She told me that it was her first time being so close to real horses. The barns were very clean and well-organized, and the horses were gentle and well trained. I painted one landscape, she did a couple of sketches. I took a selfie with a super cooperated horse, seemed that she really enjoyed posing, lol... We learned that now the Stanford Red Barn is home to the Stanford Equestrian Team, the Stanford Red Barn Equestrian Center, and their affiliated programs. Definitely I will be back to paint again for sure.

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?

Rainy day I didn't get up as early as usual. Checked my messages in bed, an artist invited me to Plein Air together. Weather report showed there was no rain between 10am and 3pm. I jumped out of bed, had a simple, quick breakfast and drove to the location. Paid $6 for parking just to save time. Usually I'd rather park in the street and walk into the park. Unfortunately I forgot my tripod, funny thing I thought about to leave an extra tripod in my car last night, but I didn't... I used my car trunk as a temporary table to work on the painting. Beautiful sunlight. There were colorful fall leaves on the trees and on the ground. Didn't prepare for the rain, soon it started raining. I tried to continue, but the rain fell down heavily. Well, I had to leave the park, not get enough time to justify the parking fee, but luckily I parked inside the park, otherwise I would have been soaked, lol...

It was a grey day, I liked the dramatic sky and fall feeling. There were many kinds of birds, and my first time seeing Goldeye ducks from a distance. There were a lot of people jogging or walking. Some schoolchildren were out there for their nature class. More people were out of the office during lunch break. I painted the second one by turning ninety degrees at the same spot basically. My work got many compliments, including from those young students. It made me happier that more people knew how to appreciate an artist's work in progress, especially in Silicon Valley. An older guy stopped by and started asking so many questions, like where I had learned how to paint, how long does it take to finish a painting, how much does each work cost, was my talent genetic, etc. Then he started imagining if I was living during the Renaissance with all the great talents, etc. Lol... He stopped by again after he had done his jogging, told me that he had five grandchildren, so I decided to p

"Without great solitude, no serious work is possible." -- Pablo Picasso I keep reminding myself that I don't have to spend hours on the road for one or two paintings at the location each day. Not sure why I keep doing it. Wednesday was my first time painting at Montara State Beach on Cabrillo Hwy. It was cold and gray, only 50 degrees, though I was well prepared. Does it mean "passion", I hope so. It is the artist's duty to be inspired and create. And most time I was really isolated, no signals for cell phone and computer, only my outdoor painting station, and only my working clothes on, and me...

Got caught into traffic in the morning. Spent an hour and half drive for only 30 minutes on location. My first time at this place. Only had enough small change for two hours parking. The park was charming, some workers were trimming the trees while I was painting. Leaves had changed colors, many coy fish swimming in the pond. I could hear the fish jumping, maybe looking for food... I tried to paint as fast as I could, and did a small sketch when waiting for the my painting to dry. Time had run out, had to pack and go. Do you think this painting finished?

A nice day being in nature, my first time painting here. Love the morning fogginess in the distance. Tried many colors to express the fall feeling, but light and reflection changed too fast. Another gorgeous place to which I must return. On the way back I lost track on the road and ended up at a local small store. Spent $2, bought this 1 foot by 3-foot oblong nan bread, might be lavash -- middle eastern bread anyway. It was so yummy, I kept eating it while driving. If my home were further away, I could have finished the whole nan, haha... You could imagine how yummy the bread was , and how starving I was after painting outdoors all day, lol...