Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

My first time painting at this location near Half Moon Bay. Followed Google and found this unique, old western town nestled in the rolling countryside along the San Mateo coast. Such a unique place, I had a hard time to make decision, then I saw a real cute pig alone sleeping inside the Jail, felt quite some pity for it. So painted next to the Jail, at least provided companionship to the little sleepy, lonely pig. The building I focused on to paint was next to the fence. Wondered why there was so much dust in the air. Finally I saw a horse next to wall, might try to communicate with me. Gorgeous day after I had so much delicious food and celebrated our shared birthdate together at one of my girlfriends' house yesterday. But this morning I was a little bit frustrated, my car GPS which had the options of the shortest distance choice, but Google map showed the fast way. I usually use both in case the signals lost. There was almost ten miles difference between those two, who I should f...

Last Saturday, October 10 was George's birthday, I brought this double portrait on a wet canvas finished only the night before to his booth at the local Farmer's Market. A big surprise for him! Everyone was happy, his two sons and a lady named Nami worked there, and some people who happened to be at the market at that time. George gave me a big beautiful bouquet of flowers. I felt satisfied by my effort. George and his wife were immigrants from Japan, raised their granddaughter Aika like their own daughter. Aika wanted me to paint a portrait for George's birthday. She told me that she loved both of them deeply. I was very grateful to get both Aika and Nami's trust, no matter what obstacles I would face, I must finish a decent portrait for them. It was only a one-week deadline for the commissioned work. Aika's grandparents were busy working, barely had decent photos together. I found that out after our agreement to paint an 11 inch by 14 inches oil painting, but actu...

Plein Air painters do not usually have such a lovely day painting at a peaceful location. Feeling luxurious, we sat down and painted on the table in the shade. Only I wanted to paint a different subject, the buoys on the wall. They looked so interesting and simple under morning light. Never tried and never knew that they were not as easy as they looked. Struggling through another day of practice.  

What a glorious fall day in San Francisco! Just couldn't believe that Google map guided me near the location, still took me a while to find the gate and a parking spot. Not sure why there was no botanical garden in my car GPS, got frustrated in the morning over that. Instantly I wanted to paint this colorful tree near the pond. The tree wasn't a simple subject to me, and English is my second language. I overheard that people talking about coyotes while I was struggling on my work, I didn't stop and continued using my visual brain on the painting. Suddenly, I realized that a couple of visitors were talking to me while passing by. I stopped and saw a well fed huge coyote walking behind me about fifteen to twenty feet away (about 7 meters). He walked like in his own backyard... After painting done, met a several Plein Air artists, they said that the coyote was howling to the fire engine this morning. I guess this botanical garden really has become his territory.

Really liked winter at the location, only 50 degrees though I was well prepared. Felt like didn't paint a boat for a long time, suddenly wasn't sure what I should paint in front of all the beautiful fishing boats. I regretted not drawing a small sketch first, because noticing later how difficult it was to work out. One thing I did learn in a hard way from my past experiences, I didn't use much water on paper in such a cold and high humidity weather conditions. Not happy with the composition too. Then forced myself to continue. Saw a couple of other artists, a seal swimming around, and a cute sea Otter was sleeping there. Wish to live closer so I don't have to drive more than hundred miles to go and paint.  (Oct 7 2020)

First time rushed into one of my favorite Farmer's Market, not well organized during the weekend morning. Found out that I left my phone and my hat at home after grabbing some fresh vegetables. I set up my easel, asked a photographer guy to call and texted to my husband. Lucky me to meet another an artist photographer, he showed me some of his work and his light weight camera. My husband delivered my forgotten stuff later, also delivered the vegetables home, such a supportive partner for more than twenty years. I wanted to paint the market for a long time, the booths and settings always look interesting. I kept moving myself into the shade, under the sun was too hot. The girl helping sell flowers saw me working hard, she gave a bunch of flowers at the end, how sweet!

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...

To me painting still-life is difficult, I easily feel bored by staring at the same subject, prefer painting outdoors for sure. Some of my old still-lives mostly painted depending on half of my imagination. One day last month, just because I could not help myself and I picked up a wild pink lily flower (not sure the name) from the fields, put it into a cup I never used. Afternoon light made the flowers appear mysterious, I was wondering how I could express that feeling, especially because my favorite Plein air hat was next to it on the chair. Ended up I thought the shadow of the cup handle was more interesting to me - my focal point, hoped it worked out well. 🍳I had to move down to our kitchen/dining area to paint since the pandemic, because my studio is next to my husband's office and I was not used to his talking during the meetings at home all day long. Don't take it the wrong way, I think that my brain frozen when listening to all the words...Of course that was not my excus...

Came to paint at one of the most beautiful architectural and historic places. Gorgeous day, not too hot with a blue sky. Really learned how to appreciate the clean air and environment after experiencing the surrounding fires. Spent longer time drawing, but the light and shadows can never stop moving forward. After it was almost done, I messed around a bit, made sure the building stood out. Another vertical painting was done in the shade, got to love this peaceful place. Will be back for sure.