My name is Cam Anh [pronouce: Kahm Ahn], a watercolor illustrator from Hanoi, Vietnam. I am currently illustrating for children's books and working on commissioned paintings.

I've been drawing since childhood, using it as a medium to express my feelings and connect with the world. My mother, who works at the post office, used to bring home stamps from various countries for me. These stamps, each a tiny picture telling a story, inspired my path to becoming an artist.

My paintings encompass various themes, but two consistently inspire me: the human connection to nature; and the legacies that link people to their communities. These themes are apparent in my collaboration with conservationists, animal protection organizations, and artisans.

Current project:

I'm working on two simultaneous projects. The first focuses on the Paper Makers in Dong Cao village; illustrating the traditional paper-making process for the Center of Culture Heritage Vietnam. The second project explores the lives of Elephants and Mahouts in Yok Don Forest, Vietnam; a part of the Animals Asia Foundation's campaign to protect and "retire" elephants in the national forest after years of tourism service.

Photo by Phan Dan

Experience

Illustrator, Kim Dong Publishing House (2020 - Present)

Illustrate articles for the publisher’s New Year collections and other children’s books, including folk tales, non-fiction, and poems.

Anthology:

Skilled & Qualification

Languages: Vietnamese (Native), English (Conversational)

Independent Courses: Mentorship Program (The Illustration Department); Certificate in Botanical Illustration (Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh); Watercolor and Concept Design (Schoolism); Illustration (School of Visual Storytelling).

Group Exhibitions

The Return of the Spoonbill Sandpiper (2023) - An exhibition at The Royal Over-Seas League London and Manchester School of Art’s Vertical Gallery displaying the works of 15 Vietnamese artists.

BIG - Book Illustration Gallery (2022 and 2024) by AFCC - Asia Festival of Children's Content

Bóng Dó (2022) Art show of modern applications on Dó paper, Goethe-Institut Hanoi - Vietnam. Organized by Ngo Duc Dó paper and Ra Rieng Prints.

Highlights

The Welfare of Animals Used in Festivals (2019) Organized by Animals Asia Foundation, Winner, of the painting "Red Is Luck."

Selected for Kidlitwomen* Scholarship (2024) Awarded by Highlights Foundation

Selected for CPI Culture Expert Training Program (2024) Organized by Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE)

Selected for Artist-in-residence in Keelung City, Taiwan (2024) Organized by Taiping Art Hub

I am a member of The Illustration Department

Illustrator, Animals Asia (2016 - Present)

Illustrate various print materials to raise awareness about bear bile farming in Vietnam.

Worked as a Concept Designer in the animated video "No Bear Left Behind" in 2021, which received the ''People's Choice Award'' at the Smiley Charity Film Awards 2023.

Illustrator, Heritage Magazine, Vietnam Airlines Inflight Magazine (2015 - 2018)

Illustrate Folk Tale Section: Hansel and Gretel (2018); The Tale of Ki Cung River (2017); Who Will Buy My Scallions? (2016); An Encounter With Fairies (2015).