Original Art Stories - Xueling Zou

Checked my Plein Air history, today was my eighth time painting at this location. Not only because it was a perfect day, also because another local artist would like to paint outdoors together. I suggested to start at Villa Montalvo, because there are plenty of subject choices to start a painting. I spent a longer time to draw the building, and noticed later that I didn't really need all the details after all. But it was a good practice. (October 15 2021) My first time painted Villa Montalvo on April 5 2018

Two sessions of live model study in oil, each session is three hours. September 30 and October 7 2021. Working on 16"x20 canvas panel, the angle of the model was super hard to work with. During the first session I measured the model carefully from the "real" prospective, and I wasn't happy with the result. It didn't look artistic with a big head in front. Art is not about mathematics measurement, it is about an Artists own expression. Went back to work on my painting next session, I focused on my whole design, followed my own understanding of beauty to correct and created my painting - my visual language. At least so far I felt the painting had a big improvement. Still need to work on her hand and values...

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)

Drawing can be fun or painful. My new drawing paper hadn't arrived yet so I had to stick with my small sketch book and found out it wasn't easy to draw on it using charcoals.  There was not enough room to express with that media. I struggled through another 3 hour session on Tuesday night. A male's body is more difficult than a female's. There are too many biological features, like bones and muscles, etc.  Just can't work on small paper for sure!  Can't wait for my new paper +!  (September 28 2021)

Caught up with some housework this morning. I had no idea why both my body and brain are trying to convince me in many ways not going out painting. But it was a gorgeous day out, I knew that I must go out and paint. Finally, I dragged myself and gear out the door around 2:30pm. Such a lovely day, about 75 degrees. Walked around in the lovely rose garden, took several deep breaths, enjoyed the beautiful garden with thousands of blooming roses. I saw a girl reading a book on the grass with the arched arbors and roses behind her, so I painted that. Of course, she had changed her position many times. Practicing figure drawing really helped me to let her fit into my work, not overdid it. (September 29 2021)

My first time coming to this part of the Pacifica. Planned to paint at San Pedro Valley County Park. Drove on Skyline Blvd, The landscape was half hiding in the foggy misty, and the part of it showing through. I really wanted to stop my car and paint excitedly what was in from of my eyes.  Arrived at the park, I realized that the mountains and trees were just too close to me, how I could manage to paint them? On the way I had noticed a church that was appealing too. There were several deer in the parking lot, nice watching them eat their breakfast. It was quiet ni the parking lot while I was painting. Didn't finish the painting, needed more value.  But it was just another practice work. Went to see 50/50 art show at Sanchez Art Center in Pacifica.  Many inspiring and creative works there.  

COIVID-19 has changed many ways in our lives. I haven't seen my family for over two years, and I don't know when I will be able to get a visa and go back to my motherland for a visit. Especially on the Mid Autumn Moon Festival when all families should be together celebrating the annual harvest while enjoying watching the brightest full moon.   My husband is a Caucasian who understands Asian Culture better than most of Westerners.  He got up earlier and baked a delicious dark chocolate cake for us, because we ate most of the mooncakes earlier.  I was supposed to go Plein Air today.  Might be my nostalgia, I didn't want to go out for an excuse of hot weather.  Didn't feel productive, but I did go to the evening live model drawing drop-in class.   Wow, I wasn't the only one Chinese there!   I guessed that drawing the live model helped us to forget homesickness.  We even went out watching the full moon during the break.  What a great wa...

Today's 3-hour session live model study, painted on another used panel 18"x14". The top left was captured outdoors. The model is an artist herself, she really understands how to stay still. Working on a larger used panel was easier, and I liked the background color showing through from the previous painting, not sure if I should painted it over again... Going to another session to complete the painting, wish me luck! (September 16 2021)  Photos were taken from the first session. In today's 3-hour session I continued to work on this work from last week.  The model did not have her make-up on like last week. She told me that she was worried the make-up would melt because it was too hot today.  Never mind, she was a very good model and showed us consistent position to last week.  Glad that I was able to finish the painting.  Only a few retouches when the paint will be dry.  Can't wait for the next session. (September 23, 2021)

Two days in a row drove miles for Plein Air. Just because I tried to figure out how to paint unique rocks at the Pacific coast. It was my first time coming here and paint. Wasn't sure where to go after parking my car. Asked how to get to Shark Fin from a guy whom I thought he was a surfer, then found out he was another painter Scott, haha... Another gray day, under 60 degrees. Only issue there was no public restroom nearby. I brought two slice of cheese, somehow they melted inside the car. The ocean view was magnificent! After my painting was done I walked a little higher and it was even better view. Definitely I will be back to paint again.  (September 15 2021) Did a small sketch from a different angle. Tried to add white wave splash on the rock, but the white watercolor paint didn't show up the way I expected, only was all over my fingers.