SCENIC: Phan Mơ's paintings are inspired by the peaceful and picturesque sceneries of the countryside where she lives. Photo courtesy of the artist

Tired of the busy city life, Phan Mơ and her family decided to return to their hometown in the northern province of Thanh Hóa. It was really a turning point in her life.

There she found artistic inspiration from the peaceful and picturesque scenery of the countryside. This is depicted vividly and realistically in Mơ’s artworks, which have impressed art enthusiasts both at home and abroad.

Born in a poor countryside, like many other students at the time, Mơ passed the entrance exam to university in the capital city, majoring in interior design. After graduating, she stayed in the city and took up various jobs to make a living.

“I used to work as an office worker, website editor, and online salesperson, which provided me with a decent income. But a trauma came when my second son suffered severe burns at only eight months old,” Mơ told Thanh Niên (Youth) newspaper

“I had to quit my jobs to regularly take my son to hospital for treatment. The pressure weighed heavily on me, so I decided to go back to the countryside to find a peaceful corner.”

Her family had to face many difficulties in settling a new life in the rural area. Their house is located far from their children’s schools and she did not have a stable job. In order not to fall into a deadlock again, the 32-year-old rediscovered her old passion and began to take up painting.

“Drawing used to be my childhood interest. At first, I made friends with the brushes and colours to forget my worries. My first painting took only three days to finish, as it was inspired by the scenery of the canal in my memories and the plants I saw every day on the fields near my home,” she said.

From the first painting, the familiar surrounding scenery and childhood memories have become an endless source of inspiration for Mơ’s artworks. Each is associated with one of her memories.

LEAFY: 'Nắng Nhẹ Bên Dòng Kênh' (Gentle Sunlight by the Canal) by Phan Mơ

“My most favourite painting is Nắng Nhẹ Bên Dòng Kênh (Gentle Sunlight by the Canal) that depicts the entrance to the village, near the village chief's house. When I posted it on my social networks, my acquaintances in the village immediately recognised it and asked me a lot about it. They did not expect that the familiar scenery that they have passed by every day could be so beautiful in a painting,” she said.

Pursuing the realistic style and choosing real human issues as the subject of her art, Mơ seems filled with ideas. Via each painting, she hopes to capture the realistic, vivid, and intimate moments in life.

“The love for my native village and the country, originated from this simple and beloved beauty, is the message I want to convey through my works so that every viewer can feel like they are having their souls travel to the peaceful countryside,” Mơ added.

One buyer of Mơ’s painting, Trần Văn Dũng from Hà Nội, told Thanh Niên (Youth) newspaper: “I bought the painting Giấc Mơ Trưa (Midday Dream) because I saw a part of my soul in the painting."

"Mơ's paintings often evoke nostalgia for a memory that every Vietnamese has experienced, especially for those born before the 1980s, like sneaking out of the house during summer afternoons to swim in the river and play folk games.

“I also love Mơ's paintings because they have been painted by a young painter with a beautiful pure soul and a deep love for her homeland.”

PASTORAL PERFECTION: 'Ký Ức Tuổi Thơ' (Childhood Memories) by Phan Mơ. Her paintings often evoke nostalgia for a memory that every Vietnamese has experienced, especially for those born before the 1980s.

After five years of hard work, Mơ has gradually won art lovers’ hearts. Her paintings have been featured in various exhibitions, gone viral on the internet with thousands of likes and shares on Facebook, and most recently, won a contest of a Facebook page with over 2,3 million members in Việt Nam. Many of her paintings have been sold to raise funds for charity.

Her artworks have even been famed abroad when one of them, Cái Ao Nhỏ (A Little Pond), was purchased by a French collector. She feels proud promoting her hometown to friends abroad.

POND LIFE: Mơ's 'Cái Ao Nhỏ' (A Little Pond), was purchased by a French collector. Photo courtesy of the artist.

“Every artist wishes to have their name established by following different styles and aiming at different classes of customers. However, my works are aimed towards the community, and I hope that everyone can view my paintings and feel the emotions conveyed within them,” she said.

Mơ has also inspired her passion for arts to others by establishing a community on Facebook in which she shares her art knowledge.

ART CLASSES: Mơ has opened classes to inspire others with her passion for arts. Photo courtesy of the artist

“Many people have even travelled to the rural area where I live to learn painting. I also open online classes so that students from afar, even abroad, could attend. The flexible transition between individual work and teamwork, and spending time sharing with others makes my life more meaningful,” she said. VNS