Art & Life with Anh Pham

Today we’d like to introduce you to Anh Pham.

Anh, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I was born in Saigon, Vietnam during the end of a tragic war and came to the U.S. as a refugee in 1975. According to my Mother, even as an infant, I was drawing and painting; even stealing my mother’s lipstick to paint with. God, how I wish I could see those paintings now. My father was a very famous and hilarious comedian and actor. My great Grandfather was an incredible artist and sculptor. My Grandfather was the most famous music composer in Vietnam. My mother is renowned for her knowledge of traditional Vietnamese cuisine. My Great aunt was a tremendously famous singer. So, I come from a long line of talented individuals.

Now, I feel like I am simply an accumulation of talent that has been passed down from my beautiful ancestors. I have been handed this amazing gift and light through a funnel of creativity and ability through my ancestors. That is the only explanation I have, for I have never been to college, art school or had the opportunity to learn art through any traditional channels. As the saying goes; I am self-taught. I read, studied, practiced, impersonated, replicated and experimented with every medium available to me. As far as the vision I have as an artist, I attribute them to my forbearers and the love they had for their art, craft and raw talents. I now know this with all of my heart and give thanks to my ancestors every time I paint, for without these gifts, I would be nobody.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Growing up, I always relied on the Airbrush to get food on the table by custom airbrushing surfboards, bikes, cars, boats, choppers, RVs, toys, clothing, murals, canvases, or whatever the customers wanted. This gave me the knowledge of being diverse and adept to painting anything really; from landscapes, portraits, wildlife, from abstract to realism, both organic and mechanical.

I now combine everything I know with everything I’ve learned into my own art and creations. My styles now range all over the art spectrum and this is really what makes me truly happy. I am able to exercise my skills with the airbrush, oil paints, water colors, colored pencils, graphite, markers, pastels and acrylics in a way that I can really express myself in whatever medium I use. At times, marrying and blending multiple mediums together to form true love.
I currently maintain a full Art sponsorship with US ART SUPPLY, a giant art supply firm based in San Diego. I now enjoy free expression using their art supplies exclusively. By following my heart, following through with my visions, I have chased my dreams to where I want to be in life. For the first time ever, I did not simply” accept” what was placed before. I worked hard, painted my heart out and I even accepted the vulnerability that comes with marketing my art to the world. The world has accepted my art into their hearts and minds, and this is what truly makes me push forward with more color, more faith, more love and more art.

What responsibility, if any, do you think artists have to use their art to help alleviate problems faced by others? Has your art been affected by issues you’ve concerned about?
I feel like in this day in age, we are so overwhelmed with all of the junk from a day’s work only to be immersed in the junk online or television in the evening. From negative posts about our president, war, animal torture and crime, to reading people’s responses to all of this in a negative way. It can really take a toll on our souls. Now, when I see my friends in person, the first thing they tell me is that seeing my art posts brightens up their day. That seeing my newly completed pieces everyday gives them hope and that I am helping them have a refreshed outlook on life. As an artist this is more valuable to me than money or fame. This could be the reason I continue to use social media and my art blog every day.

I now understand that I am here to spread the joys of creativity and color and art to whomever is watching. Some people have told me that I inspire them to create more. Some people tell me say that I am inspiring their children just by seeing my different artworks every day. I think this is the true roll of an artist. I am also a Laugh Yoga instructor and I help teach the joys of laughing to reduce stress in one’s life. I feel like my art has the same results for the people around me. I like to call all of this Spiritual Kung Fu. It is a way for not just me but, anyone to combat the stresses of life in a healthy and loving way. Smile and paint!

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I am currently in the painting mode, as they say, and do not have any showings, exhibitions or displays. When I get into this elusive mode or “rhythm”, I remain here until I have a great body of work to show. When I paint something I love, I usually do so in a series of 4 or more of the same flavor or style. Currently, I am into several “series” of paintings and each requires the mastering of that style until I am happy. However, one can see my current works online at:
www.instagram.com/artistanhpham/
Or on my blog
https://paintersforum.com/

Contact Info:

• Website: https://paintersforum.com/
• Email: onstarrr@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistanhpham/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistAnhPham/

Image Credit:
All Art and Photos Copyright by Anh Pham

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