The girl makes clay ‘blossom’

Phuong Chi is completing a clay painting.

Through Phuong Chi’s skillful hands, clay truly “blooms.”

Flower lover

Without studying art, pursuing a career as a lawyer, and a busy personal life with two young sons…but none of these things have made Phuong Chi lose her passion for “painting” with clay. Talking about her journey with this hobby, Phuong Chi says, “I have loved art since I was a child. When I got married and had children, I temporarily quit my job. My husband was afraid that I would be sad, so he encouraged and supported me to pursue my passion for clay. Until now, I feel that creating art works that suit my personality is more fulfilling than being a lawyer. I am a person who loves flowers and paintings, so clay flower paintings combine both of these passions.” According to this lawyer, “when it comes to this art form, I am very excited because it provides an effective mental therapy and even the finished products help viewers feel relaxed and more connected to nature. Perhaps that’s why I love it more and more every day.”

Roses, daisies, orchids, sunflowers… any type of flower can “bloom” from clay. Clay flowers look delicate like real flowers, to the point that if you don’t look closely, you will easily think that you have wandered into a flower garden when visiting the Hoa Tay Xinh gallery-workshop on Le Thi Hong Gam Street (District 1, Ho Chi Minh City). To create clay flower paintings, besides meticulousness, skill, and time investment, the creator must have a good understanding of painting. “I learned the basics of clay flowers at the Art Association of Ho Chi Minh City, and I learned to draw since I was in school. I bought books on art and flower techniques from world artists to self-study and improve,” shared Phuong Chi.

In addition, to shape a lifelike flower, the artist must study the shape and color of the flower. For example, sunflowers have a petal shape and shiny yellow color, while roses are round with diverse colors from red, white to pink. The pistils of orchids and daisies are also different… If you don’t observe carefully, clay flowers will look rough and less vibrant. Creating a clay flower that looks real is indeed a challenge that not everyone can overcome. However, Phuong Chi doesn’t stop at just molding a flower or a clay flower.

What sets Phuong Chi apart from other clay flower makers are the clay flower paintings under the brand “Phuong Chi Art”. These are paintings that combine painting and clay flowers. Unlike the single-colored clay flowers of others, Phuong Chi’s flowers are color coordinated to match the context of the painting. When asked about the difficulties in the creative process, Phuong Chi humbly said, “Difficulties only arise when you lack perseverance and patience because creating a completely handmade product requires going through many stages. But I think, when you truly love and have passion, you can do it.”

Without hiding her profession, this lawyer shares some tips on how to create a clay flower painting: “First, you need to have an idea. Then, you will paint the background according to your idea. Next, you mix oil paint or acrylic paint into the clay to create colored clay blocks as desired. The third step is very important and requires meticulousness and skill: shaping petals, molding clay flowers, leaves, and branches according to the initial idea before drying. When the flowers are dry, you will continue to paint them, then put the flowers into the painting, which is the final stage.” A clay flower painting will become even more eye-catching if the scenery is added through painting a few young birds or autumn colors with oil paint. Even a few flowers painted with oil paint or acrylic paint will give the clay flower painting depth.

In addition to the skillful hands and creative mind, the clay material is also one of the factors that contribute to the perfect clay flower painting. “I use clay imported from Japan or the United States… this type of clay is much more expensive than the ones previously available on the market, but the effects and durability are completely different,” revealed Phuong Chi. The cost of paintings varies depending on the size, complexity, and materials used. Regarding durability, the paintings can last from 8 to 10 years if not subjected to external forces.