Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

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.

Nov.9 Definitely it suddenly got so cold, I saw frost on the roof this morning, and snow on the top of the distant mountains yesterday. That couldn't stop me from painting outdoors. Came here and painted with other artists. Just followed my instant feeling for this angle to paint. Spent more time for a little sketch and a drawing. Thought I was ready to mix my colors. It was really hard to keep the loose feeling. I wasn't happy with the statues and the background. A watercolor artist Susan finished her Plein Art work and happened to pass by me. So kind that I had her feedback. Then my work started improving a bit... I remember that John Singer Sargent did some masterpieces of statues in watercolor paintings. My breath was always taken away each time I saw only the prints. So much to look forward to... seeing the originals someday!  

Nov.5 Don't remember when I last came to this park. Today I followed the watercolor group to come here again. Driving through the hills and saw the spectacular views of Santa Clara Valley. Saw three females riding their horses walking on the hills, looked like they had a good time together. After paintings were done. we had lunch together at the park, everyone wore the face masks, and kept distance. We gave feedback to each other. Happy to meet other artists, old and new, great time we had together. Not sure how this year went by so fast - almost gone. I painted outdoors everyday this week. So enjoyed the good weather, and painting. Raining season is coming. One thing I had noticed is that my supply of watercolor paper is running out, have to order more...

Long and tiring day, drove more than 140 miles, not counting the milage getting lost when both my car GPS and Google maps lost signal and took me in the wrong direction. It was worth the long way drive, to paint at such an inspiring historic location on a gorgeous day. I instantly found the boat that I wanted to paint, only set up took me longer time, my umbrella kept falling down to the ground with every little bit of wind. Finally Al, the organizer artist, helped and made it stable. There were still many people at the wharf even though it was a weekday. Some of them might be coming daily to buy fresh fish. I didn't have time to think anything else, tried to focus on my work. A motorcycle never turned off the engine, made very loud noises behind me. The situation improved after the motorcycle was gone. On the way home, I saw so many Mexican workers working in the fields, and I knew they were hard working people, their lives were not easy in this country, especially during the pand...

Came to this 5.5 acres historic Rose Garden during a gorgeous autumn day. There were about 189 varieties, 3500 rose bushes, and this regional park won the national awards. There were only few people in the park, because a weekday I guessed. There would be a lot more people during weekends, sometimes there would be a wedding party. Been here so many times, but my first time to paint here. Found a good spot in the shade, focused on painting the water fountain. Could not finish the painting at the park. There was a guy following me. He asked me if I was a famous artist selling super-expensive paintings. Not sure how I could satisfy his curiosity, so I kept silent... Then he asked why I kept my face all covered. I wore a hat, a sunglasses and a face mask. I only answered that was my outdoor protection. Actually, some other people where covered up the same like me. Got home and retouched the painting a little bit.  (  Nov. 3 2020)

Changed back time from Daylight Savings. Only one hour different, I felt like jet lag. I was excited on the way to paint at the location, could see some other artists I haven't seen for a long time. After I got there, realized that the park wasn't opened to the public. There was no bathroom open either. It was still quite a warm day, feeling hot in the sun. Locked my bottle of water inside the car, no need to drink any water in this case. Challenging, no one could have predicted what can be happen in advance. Some artists can paint the Marshlands beautifully. I was just focusing on painting loosely, and using a limited color palette. Quickly I found there was not much more could do, which meant it time to stop. Usually I would try to force myself to continue, not today, I was done. A couple of other artists said some complements. I know they try to encourage me, and I was very thankful! Bay National Wildlife Refuge Fremont CA. Changed back time from Daylight Savings...

Our raining season is coming soon, after that I usually have allergies for half a year for outdoors. Another gorgeous day I didn't want to miss. Went to one of my favorites locations - Santa Clara University, which is famous for the old Mission and the beautiful landscaping, not to mention it is very good private college. The old Mission wall and Spanish style buildings were eye catching on a nice day like today. It is always feels like a present each time I come to visit the campus. Painted a couple of times on the campus as well. Today's challenging part was the position I stood was very close, nowhere to backup further. Enjoyed the peacefulness, and got my painting done.

Didn't plan to paint outdoors, but the weather was so nice I thought that I could save some work for raining days at home. Rushed out the door, my car GPS refused to accept the address. And I still missed the entrance of the free way by listening to Google maps. It was a little bit late, actually it was good timing, as the sun just started shining on the roof of this historic St. Anthony Church on Bertram Rd. Learned so many lessons from my previous mistakes. focused on drawing patiently. Felt hot in the sun, watercolor paper and paint dried very fast, followed the flow to work. Happy I was out to paint, met a couple of watercolor artists as well.

There was little traffic inside the city of San Francisco this morning. My GPS signal got lost, I had to turn around before the Golden Gate Bridge. Gorgeous day being out and painting my one of the landmarks for the first time - Palace of Fine Arts San Francisco. Walked around this stunning architecture, saw mostly local people walking and chatting or taking care of babies; different kinds of birds flying over the lagoon, which reflected this magnificent building and surrounding landscape contrasted by the blue sky. A guy was playing guitar and sang songs to the kids behind where I was painting. A couple had their sweet memory wedding photo shoot at the waterfront. Who doesn't want a decent photo here! I knew that I should not paint it too complex when doing outdoor paintings. But I couldn't help myself and tried to squeeze in as much as I could into an 11"x14" painting. Beside the falling autumn leaves, a caterpillar jumped on top of my palette. I tried to...

Fall finally came to the Bay Area.  A little bit behind my schedule this morning.  Felt chilly inside the house, really didn't want to paint outdoors. I know it is important to practice daily being an artist painter. I pushed myself out of the door, drove to Franklin Square. Passed by it countless times, the water fountain was an appealing subject. Not sure why I never painted it. Only a few people walked around; a quiet Monday morning. Later a person in a wheelchair rolled up and asked what I was painting for. I instantly wanted to move out of his way. He was kind and told me that his vision was no longer good. I took my painting from the easel to show him. He said he was very thankful I brought my work to show him in a way that he was able to see, and that I did a good job.  Before I packed my stuff away, a lady came out of the beauty saloon. We had a short conversation, glad to know her business was doing OK. Nice being out and painting, another day practicing and over...