Linh stands out in Vietnam for painting intricate art pieces on watch faces, starting each commission at a minimum of 15 million VND.
With a background in industrial art, Linh (34) initially pursued a career in aesthetics. However, a chance encounter led her back to art, this time creating miniature artworks on watch faces.
During the 2020 pandemic lockdown, Linh, inspired by her husband, a watchmaker, delved into painting. She found her niche using watch dials as her canvas, challenging herself to paint on a small surface by hand.
Starting from scratch, Linh experimented with various paints to find one that was easy to apply, durable on metal, and thin enough to fit into a watch without obstructing its functionality. She recalls the challenges of using extremely fine brushes and painting under a microscope.
After trials and errors, Linh’s early works emerged. Her first piece, a fairy painting, took two weeks to complete. Despite her self-critique, collectors noticed her art, with one commissioning a watch featuring a carp as a gift.
Linh’s painted watch faces have gained recognition locally and internationally, attracting orders from countries like the US and South Korea, often featuring zodiac symbols or birth year representations.
The price for Linh’s artworks starts at 15 million VND, with higher costs for special materials like mother-of-pearl. Each piece, from concept to completion, requires a minimum of two weeks.
Despite juggling business and family responsibilities, Linh dedicates hours daily to painting these unique pieces under a microscope.
The artist looks forward to creating unique watches by combining hand-painting with engraving, focusing on zodiac-themed products for Lunar New Year 2025.