Indulging a passion for landscape painting

Thanh took up painting by chance when he was very young. At the time his passion for music was so overwhelming that he spent much of his time playing the guitar and found painting would also help him feel relaxed. Once he had invited Hoang Linh, an artist from Hai Phong, to come and paint a picture of the sea for his barbershop. He could not help but follow with interest how the artist was working on his painting. When Linh completed his work, he wrote a poem to the artist.

“Although I liked painting very much, I could not afford to take up a painting class. So I decided to learn by myself,” he said, adding that he managed to complete his first painting on one of the walls in his house although his family was worried that it might damage the wall. The picture then became a big surprise for his family and this motivated him to keep on painting.

He started searching for self-study painting books and when he finished his second painting of a boat with its sail full of wind in the middle of the sea, he was able to sell it.

When asked about what he thinks about creating works of art, he said it is so exciting that he never allows himself to stop.

During the time of staying oveseas, Thanh had spent a lot of time visiting art galleries to learn more about the history of painting and different styles. He also applied for some painting courses in the UK, but was refused by some lecturers who said they had nothing to teach him.

Leonardo Da Vinci is one of his favourite artists who has a strong influence on his style. He said that he still doesn't have enough time to indulge his passion for painting because there are many other things to do.

“In order to support my family, I have to moonlight as a cameraman, a house designer, and even a repairman, so I do not have much time for painting,” said the artist.

As a member of the London painting and photography club, Thanh often goes to different galleries with his friends and other club members.

In 2000, he had an exhibition with his late friend, Tang Nga Son in London and in 2002, he opened another exhibition in Hai Phong with 50 local artists.

“I received a very hearty welcome from the Hai Phong City Literature and Arts Association as well as my friends when I had my first exhibition in Vietnam,” said Thanh.

In 2008, he started learning to use Photoshop, a graphics software programme that can create surrealist and impressionist paintings and many of them have won praise from artists and friends.

When returning to Vietnam the last time in 2009, Thanh was delighted at the positive changes in his homeland. He felt really happy to see a lot of landscaping across the country.