"Addicted" to the streets, like artist Hai Tre.

Dinh Quang Hai (45 years old), pen name Hai Tre, because he was born and raised on Hang Tre Street in Hanoi. There was a time when he was a fascinated boy who watched artists sketch the streets of Hanoi. Time passed, the sketch artists were gone, and he became engrossed in work and money like everyone else. Then, one day, he suddenly realized that he was an artist and had to return to painting, to the streets and the materials that had "drawn" him.

Born in the city, I paint in the city.

Hai Tre studied lacquer painting at the Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts. He has gained experience in various fields of work. However, he has a passionate love for watercolor painting and for depicting people and street scenes.

"Those experiences are the intangible colors that I bring into each painting, creating a unique quality in my work," the male artist revealed.

The male artist grew up with a love for everyday life scenes. The simplest, most rustic things, like sipping a cool drink while painting and chatting with curious, admiring children surrounding him. And now he returns to his love of painting streets, as an heir to the love of cityscapes that previous generations of artists have passed down.

Artist Hai Tre shared that, in the past, the corner of Hang Tre Street was the most popular spot for artists to sit and paint live, including Bui Xuan Phai and Le Cuu. The corner of Hang Tre, Hang Mam, and Hang Muoi streets still preserves many paintings by those artists from that era.

Hai Tre doesn't just paint from the perspective of an artist; he paints city streets from the viewpoint of an observer of nature. For him, each painting doesn't depict a specific portrait, but rather a landscape painting must include human activity. His philosophy is that the streets where people live and go about their daily lives are also a part of nature.

Nature and people have always been sources of inspiration and an endless subject for artists. For Hai Tre, every place he visits is not just about creating paintings, but also about enjoying delicious food and exploring local customs and culture.

Returning to the journey of painting with "Draw - Go - Bamboo"

To mark his debut project in his painting career, Hai Tre launched "Draw, Tre" in 2020. "Draw, Tre" is his journey of drawing, traveling, and pursuing his passion. It serves as a constant reminder to those around him and to himself: "Draw, Tre!"

"Drawing Bamboo" is a collection of artworks created by the male artist in various provinces and cities across the country. Artist Dinh Quang Hai's paintings primarily depict street scenes and people using simple, authentic brushstrokes.

"As an artist with both artistic talent and artistic talent, I have to travel to be able to paint," the male artist humorously shared.

Returning to painting when his finances were stable, artist Hai Tre devoted all his attention to creating the most satisfying paintings possible, without any thought of selling his work or commercial purposes. Each painting he created was shared on social media along with stories of the moments captured, and sometimes he encountered the emotional connection and affection of those who viewed his work.

At the end of 2021, the male artist compiled his paintings of Hanoi to produce a calendar to welcome the new year 2022. The calendar can be used as a wall hanging, framed for decoration, or given as a gift at the beginning of the year, especially for those who are far away and miss Hanoi.

This can be described as a meticulously crafted paint diary by artist Hai Tre, capturing over the years the most beautiful moments of Hanoi at all times, in all places, in all seasons, and at all times of the day... All of this is encapsulated like a film to help readers visualize a Hanoi that is both dazzling and simple, yet ancient and timeless.

Driven by his love and passion for painting, Dinh Quang Hai always outlines many plans for his journey. He doesn't just go out and paint when inspiration strikes; instead, the artist gathers information from the smallest details, capturing each moment in his watercolor sketches.

In painting, the medium is merely a means of conveying the artist's visual language. However, each medium also possesses its own distinct character.

"For me, there's nothing more wonderful than feeling each step on new paths, interacting with people around me with lots of smiles, and being overwhelmed by the majestic scenery of nature...", shared artist Hai Tre.

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