On Tuesday morning/sunset I drew Trinh in Vietnam, via Zoom, for my #NickDrawsNationals pandemic art project. Trinh is a motorcycle mechanic, and we were put in touch by a guy I studied web design with years ago, who now lives in Vietnam, teaching English. Trinh services his moped – the cheap, easy transport that most people in the country use. Trinh has been enjoying doing bespoke and custom bike rebuilds lately, inspired by classic Italian Vespas and Lambrettas. He joined me from a cafe as the sun was setting – having just smoked a large traditional bamboo bong – so he was quite mellow. I had hoped to draw him at his workshop, or in a public garden, but wifi is scarce and lockdown restrictions are getting tighter. We were also under pressure to do the session before he shaves off his fine wide waxed moustache: he’s job-hunting and wants to take a “respectable” photo of himself for his CV. As a bit of a hipster, he sometimes wears tweeds, but it’s too hot for that now. He told me about the differences between Hanoi’s classical French colonial architecture in the north, and the hectic modern life of Ho Chi Minh City in the south (this was borne out by my unsuccessful requests to draw another Viet friend who moved back there from Brighton – she’s too busy earning money and partying!). I asked about the Vietnam war and its lasting effects on the country. Trinh’s grandfather was a Viet soldier, fighting the Americans, but died after wartime surgery went wrong. There are still old bomb casings littering the country, which many Viet people keep as souvenirs, despite government safety concerns. On the whole, Vietnam is a happy carefree “paradise”, and people look after each other. Trinh said if there’s a robbery, the victim’s friends and family will often get together to help catch the thief (who may even have to seek police protection). He hasn’t travelled beyond Vietnam, but thinks it’s important to learn and focus on what your own nation has to offer. #nickdrawsneighbours #drawing #portrait #portraitdrawing #portraiture #birodrawing #ballpointpen #ballpointpenart #ballpoint #neighbours #sketching #artinlockdown #artinisolation #isolationart #NickDrawsNationals (at Portslade, West Sussex, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/COlLW90nyY6/?igshid=5jqnogka6eyz
