About / CV
I'm Cam Anh Nguyen, a storyteller and illustrator from Hanoi, Vietnam. My paintings intertwine two themes: the bond between humans and nature, and the connections that tie us to our rich cultural roots.
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 miniature picture telling a story, were my first encounter with visual storytelling. Their vibrant colors and textures left an indelible impression and inspired my journey to becoming an artist.
My dream project would be to spend time with local people and conservationists in the forest, learning about wild animals and their natural habitats, observing, and creating sketches and watercolor illustrations. With just a cup of water and my limited palette of six colors, I can start painting wherever I go. Watercolor is the medium that suits me best because of its adventurous nature and lightweight portability.
Photo by Phan Dan
Current project:
I'm working on a picture book about Tet in the Southwest of Vietnam for Kim Dong Publishing. Tet is the Vietnamese New Year, and it is full of village affection and miracles. Life has many changes every year, but Tet in the island has remained the same until now. Publication is set for spring 2025.
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), Culture Expert Tranning Program ( Korea Culture Partnership Initiative)
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
Awarded for Best Project Proposal - Capacity Building on Planning and Creating Digital-based Book Contents for Children’s Education(2024) Organized by KOFICE, CPI Culture Expert Training Program and EDCN Plan Education.
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).