One afternoon, sitting alone with a blank page and a pencil, a surge of long-suppressed emotions flooded out. Those first lines took shape as fragments of memories, as echoes of feelings buried deep within my heart. Images of my mother’s nostalgic hometown alley surfaced, and visions of majestic landscapes I’d visited filled my mind. I poured myself into each stroke, drawing not only with colors but with the raw essence of my soul, capturing everything from my darkest sorrows to the brightest, fleeting moments of joy.

Over time, my passion for art grew. I began experimenting with different media—pencils, acrylics, and watercolors. Each piece became a story, a message brimming with hope and positivity that I wanted to share with others. From my travels and explorations of historical sites, I created works inspired by local flowers, artifacts, and the delicate motifs on bronze drums, preserving these memories like treasures on paper. I even painted lotus flowers from Trấn Biên’s lotus pond, inspired by a ceramic vase I found while visiting Biên Hòa’s 300-year-old pottery village.

When I felt compelled to speak out about environmental preservation, I drew inspiration from my experiences in serene rural areas, where clean, refreshing air stands in stark contrast to the smoky, bustling city life. I channeled these memories into school projects on environmental themes, each one strengthening my brushwork. When I shared these pieces, I was astonished to find that they resonated deeply with friends and teachers alike, allowing me to build new connections and find kinship with those who shared my love for art.