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A White Peacock

February 6th, 2012

A White Peacock

This was one of my early oil paintings 9 years ago, based on my childhood memory. I would never have found a better way to express my feelings! That is why I haven't painted it over.

I remember that my father took me to the Beijing Zoo when I was about five one Sunday morning. There were about 20 peacocks that lived on a bird island with a hundred other birds, like crays, swans, ducks, etc... When we arrived, there were some parents with their children watching birds - especially the peacocks. I was told that the peacocks might open up their feathers when they saw pretty colors. Some parents would dress up their children with colorful clothes, but I only wore in my father's favorite color, sky blue. We both mentioned the same white peacock was our favorite. It seemed that white peacock heard us and turned around facing me, then opened up its feathers immediately. A lot of people clapped their hands for what they saw - the most glorious shining feathers opening up against the morning sunlight - like a Chinese fan. Of course to me as a little girl, it was the most beautiful and precious moment to experience joy with my father when he was holding my small hand...

My father was a great Chinese artist but died in an accident so suddenly when I was only ten. Since then my little world could never be balanced well and I decided not to touch any paint brushes when I was fourteen. I tried to hide my emotion...

Time flies! After decades, I had realized that I should not bury my art expression any longer! Finally I decided to start painting again! One day this white peacock appeared in my head vividly in the art class. Usually, we should tell our instructor what we were trying to paint, why and how etc... I could only follow my emotion on this canvas panel at that moment, It was the first time I used a palette knife, but I barely could see anything clearly with tears in my eyes till this piece was completed...

Or view a better image at: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/a-white-peacock-xueling-zou.html

Also you can read more stories about my art work at: http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/

Chinese Lantern Festival

February 3rd, 2012

Chinese Lantern Festival

Febrarury 6, 2012 is the Chinese Lantern Festival ( 元宵节, Yuanxiao Jie), which is a traditional Chinese festival since the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 221 AD). It marks the 15th - the last day of the Chinese New Year celebration.

Yuanxiao or Tangyuan is the special food of the Lantern Festival, which is a kind of sweet dumpling, made with sticky rice flour filled with sweet stuffing, and round in shape. It symbolizes family reunion, completeness and happiness. A traditional celebration of Yuanxiao Jie includes music, dancing, acrobats, and of course, the sight of brightly decorated lanterns everywhere. People play the Lantern Riddle game, trying to guess the answers to the mysterious riddles show on the lanterns. Of course, everyone snacks on Yuanxiao.

Mr. Eastern was one of the trustful advisers of Emperor Wu Di in Han Dynasty. On the 12th of the first lunar month, he heard a lady crying, ready to jump into a well and commit suicide in the garden. He stopped her and asked for the reason. She was Yuan-Xiao - a maid in the emperor's palace. She hadn't seen her family after she was chosen to work inside the palace. She missed them badly especially during the Chinese lunar new year. She told him that she would rather die if she couldn't have the chance to show her filial piety this life. Mr. Eastern promised to help her arrange a family reunion.

Because of his high reputation, many people came asking for their fortune. So, Mr. Eastern set up a table on the street and disguised as a fortuneteller outside the palace. But every one had the same prediction - severe fire accident on 15th lunar day. The rumor spread quickly, everyone worried about the future and asked him for help.

Mr. Eastern said, "On the 13th lunar day, the God of Fire will send a fairy lady in red to burn down the city. If you see a lady in red with green pants on a black horse on that day, you should ask for her mercy." Then, Yuan-Xiao acted the red fairy lady on that day. She was told to say to the people who came asking for her help, "Yes. I'm the messenger of the God of Fire and have come to check on the city and going to set up the fire on 15th. This is an order from Jade Emperor who watches from the heaven. I give you a copy of imperial decree from the God of Fire. You should go to ask your emperor to find a way out." After she left, people went to palace to report to the emperor the decree which was written - capital city was in trouble, fire burns in the palace, heaven fire burns all night long on the 15th. etc..

Emperor Wu Di was greatly shocked. He asked for the advice from Mr. Eastern. After pondering for a while, Mr. Eastern suggested, "I heard the God of Fire likes the taste of Tangyuan. Does Yuanxiao often cook Tangyuan for you? On the 15th lunar day, let Yuan Xiao make Tangyuan. Your Majesty takes charge of the worship ceremony and gives orders to every household to prepare Tangyuan at the same time. Also, please deliver another order to carry red lanterns and explode fire crackers in every household. Plus, inform everyone in the palace and the people outside the city to carry their lanterns on the street to watch the lantern decoration and fireworks. In this way, Jade Emperor could be deceived in the heaven to believing the occurred. Then everyone could be able to avoid the fire accident trouble." The Emperor Wu Di happily followed the plan.

Lanterns were everywhere in the capital city during the night of 15th. Everyone was walking in the street with lanterns, and firecrackers snapped and popped everywhere making a loud noise! It looked like entire city on fire. Yuanxiao's parents came to the palace to watch the lantern decoration. Yuanxiao made a huge lantern and wrote down her name on the outside of the lantern. The family happily reunited with her after her parents find her name. Every family was safe, and Emperor Wu Di had a new order that every household should do the same thing at the same night every year. Because Yuanxiao cooked the best Tangyuan. So, every 15th of the first lunar month, we call it Yuanxiao Jie - The Lantern Festival.

Please visit my Photography - China Gallery at:
http://xueling-zou.artistwebsites.com/art/all/photography+-+china/all

More stories at: http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/

The Colors of La Boca, Argentina

February 3rd, 2012

The Colors of La Boca, Argentina

Colorful La Boca grew to become an Italian (mostly from Genoa) district of Buenos Aires, Argentina in a very short time in mid-19th-century. It used to be the area where Italian immigrants arrived, and settled in the poorest of conditions. Their houses were built by the leftover corrugated iron and other waste found in the nearby harbour and industry on the Riachuelo river. In order to make the neighbourhood more interesting, they decided to paint their houses in bright colors by using the leftover paint from boats - hence the many different colours that can be seen. Where first a small river flowed, the area that now is Caminito had tracks installed, and when those were not used anymore, this developed into an ugly, abandoned part of La Boca. There were several museums with paintings portraying its hard-working inhabitants in the shipyards and on the docks.

Local artist Quinquela Martín painted the walls of the street, which now we know as Caminito (which means little path in Spanish) at the end of the 1950s. This area has become one of the prime tourist destinations in the city of Buenos Aires, with souvenir shops, restaurants and a thriving artist community.

The bright yellow, red, blue, pink, and green are the dominant colours in the houses. Several statues and works of art adorning the walls and sidewalks of this colorful street, mostly depicting either the women and children waiting for their sailormen to return. The street and restaurants were full of artists entertaining the many visitors, tango music attracts crowds to enjoy wine, delicious beef and watch such passionate dancers. How could it not become a most famous attraction in Argentina?

view the original work at: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/xueling-zou.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=29955

More stories at: http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/

Dreaming Girls

February 1st, 2012

Dreaming Girls

"Dreaming Girls" is a very special painting to us. I created it in 2007 from one of the 10 photos my husband took during his business trip in Brasil.

Also, I was called a "Dreamer" by my girl friends since I was very young. I did enjoy dreaming all the possibilities I could have after I grew up. Though life has taught me to be more grounded since I left my home country, but dreaming helps me overcome many kinds of tough situations, and makes me believe tomorrow is going to be better! So I decided to paint it as a square canvas positioned diagonally to effect a diamond shape to remember who I was back then.

In 2009, I had a solo opportunity to display my paintings in a very famous multi-national company in Silicon Valley where I live since 2000. There were maybe over 20 pieces displayed, including "Dreaming Girls". As I expected there were certain amount of responses from the people working as technology professionals. But, at the same time, we were too excited to plan our 3-weeks-trip to Argentina. After the trip, we fell in love with the culture and people, keep going to travel in South (Central) America.

At the end of last year 2011, I joined the Google+, it allowed me to add all my contacts into my circle. So, I keep maintaining all my friends by posting the art work I create, or sending the stories I write. On January 6, 2012, I received an email from someone who had read my postings on Google+. It was from a lady who told me that she saw my "Dreaming Girls" at the company she works, and fell in love with it years ago, but felt she couldn't buy it as she was going through a personal tough time. She said in her email "I have thought about that painting from time to time but had forgotten your name to try to get in touch with you. All of a sudden I get this Google+ email notification from you and the name rang a bell - I'm so excited to have found you!"

It is very important for an artist finding a good home for the art we created! After she came to my home studio, I felt like we were old friends for a long time already. She told me she had been to both Africa and South America and also loved the cultures, and that is why the painting has special meaning for her too. Now, I am so happy for my "Dreaming Girls" has moved into a new loving home:-)!

view the original work here:
More stories at: http://xueling-zou.artistwebsites.com/featured/2-dreaming-girls-xueling-zou.html

A Dog and his Fate

February 1st, 2012

A Dog and his Fate

In May 2009, after travelling to the beautiful old city Salta in northern Argentina, we drove to Tilcara, a small pueblo introduced to us in a tour book for its unique architecture!

What amazed me was to see so many beautiful homeless dogs there. A young female tourist like us bought a bag of hot dogs to feed them, but they sniffed a second and walked away uninterested. From the eye contact, I realized they were not in need of food at the moment...

Every time I see there are so many spoiled dogs, those lonely eyes, expecting only love or a caring family are appearing in my head... Please look into his eyes and see if you get the same message as I did. I thought I should paint him, but I still can not... This was one of those dogs I captured, we were not able to bring them home...

Please view a better image at: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/a-dogs-fate-xueling-zou.html

Also you can read more stories about my art work at my new blog: http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/

2012 - the Year of the Dragon

January 30th, 2012

2012 - the Year of the Dragon

2012 Chinese Lunar Year is going to be the Year of the Dragon.It begins on January 23 this year and ends on February 9, 2013 (if your new baby were born during this Lunar year, we call him/her a dragon baby). The Dragon is the fifth sign, which consists of 12 Animal signs. The characteristics of the Dragon Sign are tempered by one of the five Chinese elements of Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth (like other 11 Animal signs). Every 60 years goes through a full cycle. For example, 1952 is the Year of Water Dragon, 2012 is the Year of Water Dragon again.

The Dragon is a creature of myth and legend. In ancient China, the Dragon is the imperial symbol, the sign of the emperor, or the male element Yang. The Dragon is the symbol of power and wealth. Today, it is the ultimate auspicious symbol signifying success and happiness. May the celestial Dragon bring great luck to everyone.

You can see there are a lot of dragon signs and symbols in China if you have visited the country. Especially, many beautiful stone carvings showing in the Forbidden City in downtown of Bejing.

If you would like to know about Chinese Lantern Festival 中国元宵节, please visit the story behind it at: http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/2012/01/chinese-lantern-festival.html. More photos at: my Photography - China Gallery http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/xueling-zou.html?tab=artworkgalleries&artworkgalleryid=47756. Thank you!!

The Spirit of the Sea - Pacific Voyagers

January 25th, 2012

The Spirit of the Sea - Pacific Voyagers

What a great inspiration! Unknown in advance, I had seen the Pacific Voyagers and seven boats at Monterey Bay, California!

August 13, 2011, late afternoon sun shone on the weekend Monterey beach. I saw some unusual boats, actually ancient looking boats, mostly like the boats made by Maori people from New Zealand, anchored to the beach in the bay.

I was so attracted by the beauty of those boats, and a couple of handsome sailors paddling people back and forth from the beach to the boats. I didn't want to miss this good opportunity, and started shooting...

A local lady chatted with me that these were Pacific Voyagers - a group of Pacific Islanders from Aotearoa (New Zealand), Cook Islands, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Vanuatu, and Tonga. They started in April of this year, passing the Marquesas, and Hawaii on their journey.

Also she said that I missed seeing the landing, which was a traditional American Indian ceremony for welcoming friends from afar. A great amount of people watching and it was a quite emotional time for everyone...

The challenging part was how to create this incredible story, also a historical record on canvas(es) to pass the message through my artist's perspective, and to contribute to the community... Took me for almost a month.

Luckily, I was there, saw them, and took some footage... working through the ideas, overcoming all the difficulties, and they are finished now... Using a traditional style, to show my respect for these brave Voyagers who sailed ancient Polynesian vaka moana boats to renew their commitment to healthy ecosystems for future generations.

Please view a better image at:
More stories at: http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/

Better image at: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-spirit-of-the-sea--pacific-voyagers-ii-xueling-zou.html



Confess...

January 25th, 2012

Confess...

Please view a better image at: http://fineartamerica.com/featured/confess-xueling-zou.html

This is the story of how I was inspired to paint "Confess..."

When visiting the extraordinary ruins at Qoricancha (Golden Temple) in Cusco Peru, I followed a guy entering a huge gate into a quiet area, I found myself in the beautiful baroque church of Santa Domingo (I found out later). First I saw a statue of the praying Virgin Mary, illuminated and radiant in front of the alter; second, I turned around and saw many golden arches with painted angels near the ceiling. At the same time I realized that a few workers were doing minor construction. Third, I heard a loud voice in Spanish I couldn't understand, and turned back, there was an angry priest in a white vestment shouting and making hand signals to me. It seemed I could be sent to hell immediately if I stayed one more second. I ran out as soon, as fast as I could, and wondered if he was really a priest in his heart, or only by his job title...

Also you can read more stories about my art work at: http://originalartstories.blogspot.com

Welcome to join me

January 18th, 2012

Welcome to join me


JOIN ME at My Original Art Stories,

Google+
,

and FaceBook
.

Let It Go - New Year Resolution Number 1

January 4th, 2012

Let It Go - New Year Resolution Number 1

I have found Brooks Atkinson's quote to be quite inspiring and want to share it, view or read more at:
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/let-it-go-xueling-zou.html/, or at: http://originalartstories.blogspot.com/ Thank you!

 

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