Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

It wasn't a perfect day for Plein Air, I brought my work stuff and went to check where I could paint. All just because of my curiosity about downtown Woodside. Not easy to find a parking spot, walked around a little bit. Not sure why it seemed to me that this tiny downtown was so interesting to come and check out. Might be the day I got lost in the mountain for an hour, and finally I found some people were in the town. Parked my car off the street. And I decided to paint the interesting building called the Firehouse Bistro, looked like a historic building to me. But there wasn't anything I could find on Google out, only the restaurant. I spent a lot of time working on the sky, later found out it wasn't necessary since the sky was behind on my painting. Caught up a little sunlight, it really did help me to understand the relationship of each part of building and surrounding construction. Great exercise, would be back on a sunny day to paint! In the early evening ...

Tuesday has become one of the busiest days each week. Went to Fogarty Vineyards Woodside for Plein Air, and then live model study in the evening. The temperature dropped dramatically in our area. It was still the summer hot feeling during day only a couple of days ago. It was only 51 degrees, not only cold, it was also windy when I got Fogarty Vineyards. Found a hidden and not windy place to paint. My warmest jacket helped me, and it was getting a little warm by noon. We brought little snacks and chatted a short while after our work was done. Autumn colors were gorgeous at the vineyard. Looked around and took some reference photos, then said "Goodbye" to the other artists. As usual I turned on my car GPS, and got my smartphone ready, because there was no signal from the location. There was about 30 miles to my home in total, I had been back and forth several times. I noticed that my car GPS acted a little strange, and the mileage showing I had to drive more than 30 ...

It was a tiring day. Went to Fogarty Vineyards in Woodside, I got a little lost and ran into slower traffic due to  road work. It was a beautiful morning at the location and I met many local artists painting there. I painted Sue in my painting, who was one of our organizers, Captured some fall feeling... Went to draw live model after Plein Air in the evening. Short pose female live model. Tested new drawing paper, I liked it. But the delivery took over two weeks.  (October 5 2021)

It was a nice morning, my first here to paint with Julia Seelos, though more local artists were invited it wss just the 2 of us this day. After a short catch up, we found our own spots to paint. She is a more experienced Plein Air painter - for 15 years now. Her story inspired me that not too worry too much about strong wind, but it was calm anyway when we were painting there. The landscape scene was challenging for painting in watercolor, so I moved things around and created a slightly different composition on paper. So much to learn from Julia's devotion to art. She had a job, and she joined all the Plein Air event by using all of her vacations in the past, and not mention she has two artificial knees, and back surgery... Hope everyone understands that this is the spirit of a devoted artist, there is a great story behind each painting and every artist. (May 21 2021)

Nov. 10 Drove through a winding road, to arrive at this beautiful vineyard in the Portola Valley. Found a quiet corner to paint. There were no grapes left on the vines. Not sure why there were less colors than last year during the same month. I think I overdid the painting. I tried to stop twice, almost packed my stuff away, than had to bring my brushes out again... I really should stop at the first time my instant feeling told me. Watercolor is not the tolerant media if the over paint. Another day of practicing.

I really did not want to stay indoors on such a gorgeous autumn day. A new location I just discovered on Skyline Blvd in Woodside was on my mind, and had to give it a try. It was challenging and fun driving on the winding Moody and Skyline roads. A couple of sharp turns were about 300 degrees. Tasting room was closed on Tuesday, but that special deep dry grape smell was with me while I was painting in a very peaceful spot in front of the pond. Just love this harvest season! Will be back to paint again!  (November 5 2019)