Viet-My Bui

Resurfacing

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 12:58:00 +1100

Hello, friends. It’s been a while, huh? For those who have been following me, I thank you for your...

I have the honour of being part of Fly the Colour Fantastica, a...

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 21:22:14 +1100

I have the honour of being part of Fly the Colour Fantastica, a comic anthology featuring 12 Australian artists, each with their own 10-page comic. This book has been in the making for almost two years, thanks to the genius and insane work ethic of Vikki Ong and Eri Kashima.

The beautiful book has a hard cover with gold foil and includes vibrant offset printing. It was crowd-funded and independently published.

I’m excited to announce that we will finally be launching the book this Saturday, 4:30-6:30pm at The Fair Foodstore, Richmond. (Further information here.) Come celebrate with us and say hallo!

This is just a sneak peak - the chapter title page for my little comic.

My dearest friend Sisi Dou passed away on 2 February 2015. She...

Sat, 21 Feb 2015 13:43:00 +1100

My dearest friend Sisi Dou passed away on 2 February 2015.

She was an incredible human being. Humble, grounded, compassionate, genuine, brilliant, magnificent.

We met when we were both fifteen, starting at a new school together. I felt a connection with her straight away - she was different. And she was okay with being different.

Over the years, I got to know this amazing girl. But it wasn’t until after high school that we became closer. Our paths didn’t always cross due to our separate lives, but we always made time for each other, and we were always there during the most difficult times. She was a constant presence in my life for many years.

Sisi was one of the most open-minded, compassionate and curious people I’ve ever met. She had a quiet aura about her, but it was commanding and familiar. She was a talented singer, artist, musician. She had a wicked sense of humour and a penchant for the politically incorrect. She was never afraid to talk about uncomfortable things, and she was always open with me, and encouraged me to be open, too. She taught me so much about music, art, life. She rarely ever cared what others said or thought about her. She always drummed to her own beat.

She was always one of my biggest supporters. She always loved my art. During my years at law school, and later struggling with choosing my path, she was always there, always encouraging. She calmly told me that she knew I would be great one day.

The week before she passed away, she texted me, telling me she had read my most recent blog entry. She told me how proud she was.

She was diagnosed with leukemia at the start of 2014. Though she went into remission, it came back with a ferocity, and the tumours spread to other parts of her body.

When I found out that she was terminal, I desperately wanted to do something for her. But what? What could possibly be enough? We messaged and talked and we saw each other, and I cherished as much of our fading time as I could. But I still really wanted to draw her something. I’ve always communicated best through my art.

This is the most difficult and most significant piece of artwork I’ve ever created. Initially, the sketches were joyful. But once I started forming her face, it became painful. There she was, staring back at me. I couldn’t help but think of the shitty irony that I was bringing her to life on my screen, even though she was no longer with us.

She never got to see this. It was framed and placed on an easel at her memorial service. Her family and friends were moved by the gesture, and a few spoke to me, telling me that I had captured her well. When I presented the picture to her father, he hugged me, and told me Sisi would’ve loved it.

This pain is so raw and the sadness so deep. The memorial service was beautiful and heartwrenching and devastating - and so final. This loss is so enormous. I see things that remind me of her all the time, now. I still see her texts on my phone. Her emails, her messages. I can’t believe she’s not here anymore.

I think about how it feels so unfinished, how there wasn’t enough time. I think about the cruelty and randomness of life. But I try also to remember the beauty of life - something that Sisi constantly revelled in.

I am so privileged to have had her friendship all these years.

This is how I remember her. Full of colour, bright, effervescent, curious, with a zest for life in her eyes and a wry smile.

Vale Sisi.

I will always miss you.

Whew. I’m rusty. This drawing turned out a little stiffer...

Sat, 31 Jan 2015 01:46:00 +1100

Whew. I’m rusty. This drawing turned out a little stiffer than I would like. Just means I gotta draw more :)

I wore this to a meeting with the Aacute girls. It was a ridiculously hot day and I was sweating everywhere.

An Update: From Law School to Design School.

Mon, 19 Jan 2015 22:55:00 +1100

Many of you have asked for an update on my life since I last left you, so I thought I’d share...

I’m sooo glad that you’re back! Literally can’t wait to see some of your new artwork! <3 But can I ask what’s happening to your instagram? Did you delete your account? D: Because link to @vmbee doesn’t work. D:

Mon, 19 Jan 2015 22:43:00 +1100

Thank you so much! And I’m so sorry - I changed my name on instagram and forgot to update it...

Have you ever considered transitioning into using Photoshop to paint? I only ask because, as I’m sure you know since you’re in design school, Photoshop (and Illustrator, etc) are the industry standard. Just curious, best of luck.

Mon, 08 Dec 2014 19:37:00 +1100

Yep. It’s been looming for a while. It has been particularly frustrating since almost all the...

Another one for class. The brief was to interpret song lyrics. I...

Wed, 03 Dec 2014 22:26:26 +1100

Another one for class. The brief was to interpret song lyrics. I imagined the girl to be like some sort of superhero.

Hi! I’ve been a huge fan of your work for a few years now! I havent drawn in years and would like to get back into it full time. I’m kinda afraid to draw now because of it but am hoping to go to school for illustration in January. Thanx!

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 12:44:05 +1100

Hello! And thank you for supporting my work! I know exactly how you feel. I had only drawn...

Here are some illustrations I did recently for the super...

Fri, 21 Nov 2014 12:25:24 +1100

Here are some illustrations I did recently for the super spectacular Aacute! They are launching a new Bakery Range for their scented candles, and I had the pleasure of drawing Freshly Baked Bread, Crème Brûlée, Mango Cheesecake and Chai Latte.

I love working with these ladies because they’re just so clever, driven and talented. Thanks for the opportunity, girls :)

Illustration brief for class. Cover for a lifestyle...

Sun, 16 Nov 2014 18:55:00 +1100

Illustration brief for class. Cover for a lifestyle magazine/book (in this case, some sort of dainty fashiony thing). Fun trying out a different style!

were have you been???? we miss you :(

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 10:01:43 +1100

Fret not, Anon. I am here!

Can you give us a life update? I’ve been following you for years! Love your work. It seems like on your instagram that you are finally studying art, that’s awesome. What exactly are you studying now?

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 10:01:19 +1100

Oh I will :) All in good time. I feel a life update needs a fat, juicy blog post that my currently...

Chị nói tiếng Việt?

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 09:59:40 +1100

Yes! Nhung ma tieng Viet cua Chi khong co hay lam!

Deciding to check up on your blog to see if you’d updated was the best decision I made all weekend. You’re back! YES!!! Welcome back. I love your art and I hope you stick around for a bit before your next hiatus x have a wonderful night

Fri, 14 Nov 2014 09:57:06 +1100

What a great decision-maker you are! I'm sure your future weekends will be full of even greater...

Remember these?

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:04:57 +1100

Remember these?

You’re back! The prophecies were true! (You’re such an inspiration to me! I’m so happy you’re active again! I hope you are doing well!)

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:03:41 +1100

The divine oracle spaketh the truth! And thank you so much. I am doing well :)

So glad you’re back.

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:02:57 +1100

Thank you, Anon :)

You’re back! This is fantastic! I have missed your artwork on my dash for so long. Seeing it today was a lovely pick-me-up, so thanks for that :)

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:02:45 +1100

Well seeing your message was a lovely pick-me-up! Thank you for the warm welcome.

Heeeey there, I just wanted to say WELCOME BACK and it’s been so long … I knew your work fir so long and you are such an inspiration ::::“) your outfits drawings and your style in General is anmazingly perefect ❤️😳😳😳😳xoxo

Thu, 06 Nov 2014 12:02:00 +1100

Hello and thank you so much!! :) It sure has been a while.