We recently published a coloring book highlighting the Library's multiple affinity teams. The coloring book is now available at all library locations! To celebrate, we asked some of the featured artists to share their artistic influences and more!
Today's featured artist is Vivian Nguyen.
Who are your artistic influences?
My artistic influences have definitely fluctuated over the years as I have so many inspirations, but eastern art styles have always been my biggest influences. Illustrators like @irt_5433, opens a new window and @nakddidi, opens a new window on Instagram are two people I have definitely drawn inspiration from. Recently though, my latest inspirations are @frostbite.studios, opens a new window and @afterblossom_art, opens a new window who make a ton of gorgeous book cover illustrations that motivate me to make book covers, too.
What is your favorite art piece?
My favorite art piece is Franz Xaver Winterhalter's The Empress Elisabeth of Austria 1865. I love how Winterhalter was able capture the translucency and details of her dress and portray the overall dreamy atmosphere in the painting.
If your art could appear in any museum in the world, where would it be?
I've never been asked this question before so I honestly never considered being in a museum but I think I would be happy to be in any museum that showcases contemporary or digital art. Most if not all the work I do these days are created digitally and I hardly ever see digital art in museums so it would be nice to see a space created for that art medium. Perhaps I will choose the MET? I had the opportunity to go there and it was probably the coolest museum I had ever been to.
Artist Bio: Vivian Nguyen
Vivian Nguyen is an artist living in Tucson, Arizona who makes digital illustrations. She received her BFA in illustration, design, and animation in 2024 but has been drawing since 2015. She enjoys drawing whimsical pieces and is inspired by eastern art. Vivian is a first generation Vietnamese American and a Tucson native. Growing up in the southwest, Vivian has a deep appreciation for the desert and its beauty. One of Vivian’s favorite foods is phở, a noodle dish eaten in Vietnam. Even though Vivian lives far from Vietnamese culture, she is still able to bring bits and pieces of it through food. This piece was inspired by her love of this noodle dish while honoring the desert she grew up in.
About our affinity teams:
Biblio Lotus supports and values the culture and voice of our Asian communities in Pima County by providing resources and programs and by establishing ongoing partnerships with Asian organizations therein.
Kindred reaches, supports, and celebrates the Black community.
The Many Nations team’s mission is to provide literacy outreach and establish ongoing partnerships with Native communities in Pima County.
The Nuestras Raíces Committee celebrates and honors the culture, voice, and linguistic heritage of our Latinx and Spanish-speaking communities in Pima County.
PRIDE serves and celebrates Southern Arizona’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community.
Synapse is building a community that feels at ease discussing mental health without stigma.
Welcome to America’s vision is a diverse community that recognizes, welcomes, and celebrates immigrants for their contributions to our shared success.
