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On a summer morning, gentle sunlight streamed into the three-room veranda, creating a poetic atmosphere. On the moss-covered red brick floor, artist Mong Bich, now over ninety years old, sat quietly with a small pencil in her hand. Though her hands had weakened by time, they skillfully traced the image of a vibrant yellow banana blossom before her. The lines on the white paper reflected her refined perception of color and the surrounding nature. She smiled gently and remarked, "The colors are so harmonious."
Artist Mong Bich dedicated her life to sketching natural landscapes and portraits of people throughout Vietnam. Her paintings are not only works of art but also delicate fragments of life that she experienced over the years. Now, at 91, she has left the hustle and bustle of the city to live alone in a simple garden house in Hien Van commune, Tien Du district, Bac Ninh province.
The three-room house she calls "the little house" is where she finds peace. "The little house nestles against the mountain, in front is a clear blue pond dotted with water lilies, occasionally swooping down with a kingfisher. Beside the meticulously constructed tiled roof, a jackfruit tree, bearing many fruits this year, fills the air with fragrance. In the garden, clumps of betel leaves and chives thrive alongside vibrant purple perilla and several pots of lush aloe vera. Looking at the chives and perilla flowers brings a sense of tranquility." The old artist describes her house with poetic charm, a quiet home with simple scenes, creating a truly peaceful picture.
A simple life in a three-room house, surrounded by garden and nature, has become an indispensable part of artist Mong Bich's life. Free from the noise and daily worries, she lives in harmony with nature. Gentle moments, such as sitting on the porch admiring the chives or tending to the flowers and vegetables in her garden, bring her simple joys.
She loved painting from a young age, but only settled down and studied at a vocational art school at the age of 25. Later, circumstances and the struggle for survival often prevented her from fully dedicating herself to her passion, yet she never gave up her paintbrush. In her old age, her three-room house became not only her living space but also her artistic sanctuary where she continued to create. Each brushstroke in her paintings is an expression of gratitude to the nature she cherishes. This close connection with nature has helped her continue to create and nurture her artistic soul, even in her advanced age.
Besides painting as a hobby, she also spends a lot of time reading. "Books help me gain knowledge and stay relevant. Recently, I read 'The Invisible Elephant' – a very interesting book on philosophy. Before that, there was 'My Name Is Red,' which has both a detective story and beautiful paintings."
At ninety years old, Mong Bich still lives and creates like a young artist, full of inspiration from the simple things around her. Her peaceful and serene life in her small three-room house amidst tranquil nature is a beautiful image of a great artist who has chosen her own path, unpretentious but full of inspiration and meaning.
