Artist Tran Binh Minh is passionate about traveling and painting at the age of 43.

In 2021, artist Tran Binh Minh (43 years old, Hanoi) decided to quit his job as a Product Design Director with a salary many people would envy. Currently, he is pursuing his passion of traveling across the country to paint magnificent natural landscapes.

Quitting a job in middle age to pursue a youthful passion.

Artist Tran Binh Minh was a student at the Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts and won several awards at art exhibitions. After graduating and starting work, he continued to create computer sketches for industrial products such as self-driving electric cars, robots, and high-tech devices. His busy work schedule left him with little time for painting and colors.

"I drew anytime, anywhere, as a way of keeping a pictorial diary. During that period, my work at the Corporation allowed me to travel to many places through business trips, but they were all rushed, so I could only stop at quick sketches of each place I visited," artist Tran Binh Minh said regretfully.

When the Covid-19 pandemic unexpectedly struck, everyone's lives seemed to change. The line between life and death became incredibly thin. Sometimes we realize that money isn't everything; what truly matters is how we enjoy each day.

That was also the time when he slowed down to fully appreciate life. By the end of 2021, he decided to quit his job to embark on a new journey - a journey of Travel and Drawing.

Drawing a picture directly seems easy, but it's actually difficult.

Direct drawing is a form of drawing that involves directly depicting the subject, character, or landscape chosen by the artist. Therefore, the artist's expression will awaken the creative inspiration inherent at the very moment of drawing.

Direct painting requires the artist to observe the scene very carefully and sense the colors that best suit the space. To express this in a work of art, the artist also faces a significant challenge. At every moment, the scenery changes, sometimes in the blink of an eye or a slight bow of the head.

"An artist cannot simply create a scene; they must carefully observe the space, colors, and shapes of the scene they are painting. Summarizing spaces with brushstrokes is not easy; sometimes the space has significantly changed between the beginning and the completion of the work," the male artist confided.

The most memorable painting trip for the male artist was when he went to Nam Dinh to paint fishing boats. He went to the beach early in the morning to buy fresh seafood from the boats that had just docked. Then, he began painting the sea from morning until evening, feeling the changing space in each brushstroke of each painting. During his breaks, he treated himself to a delicious meal of grilled seafood, sipped a few cans of beer while admiring the paintings and the seascape.

Step outside your comfort zone to become a Go and Draw person.

When we enter our 20s, we're usually busy searching for a dream job. By our 30s, we're hoping for a stable career. But for artist Tran Binh Minh, three years after turning 40, he chose to step out of his comfort zone.

He decided to start a travel project called "Travel and Paint." His journey involved painting the natural landscapes of Vietnam, exploring every province and city across the country. The paintings he created were collected by a few art enthusiasts, generating a separate income to buy paints, canvases, and fuel for his vehicle.

Through his travels, artist Tran Binh Minh has discovered many beautiful landscapes across the country. He has gained new experiences, set foot in places he had never visited before, and captured the beauty of nature through his own brushstrokes. This is the passion he has long pursued.

Artist Tran Binh Minh has proven that 43 is never too late or too old to follow your passion.

"Go and experience as much as possible. It doesn't have to be painting like me; it could be taking photos or writing a few lines about the place you're visiting. Interact as much as possible with the locals, their culture, food, and lifestyle. Go to places you want to go, to places you unexpectedly encounter in life, and you'll have many interesting experiences. Take time for yourself while you're young so you can travel as much as possible..." - Artist Tran Binh Minh shared.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao