SPECTRES By Tran Nguyen

A curated collection of over 110 smaller artworks made in the past decade. Each painting is a means of exploration, a study whose purpose is to develop a deep understanding of new media. The works depict loosely rendered female portraits or, occasionally, animals. They were created without the restraints imposed by extensive preliminaries that Tran often adheres to as part of her standard illustration process. This study series started out as an outlet for trying new ideas, materials, color palettes and substrates, without the looming pressure of perfection or deadlines. They fulfill Tran's need to be adventurous, which allows her to stumble with her brushstrokes and evolve as an artist. The time spent with each piece was brief, to capture the fleeting moments of her artistic curiosity. This series has helped free Tran to discover unconventional and unique methods of art-making, which have been incorporated into her gallery and illustration work. This includes the application of pressed flowers and embroidery. A few small-scale portrait paintings became the stepping stones to hone the technical skills that inform her larger pieces. The works in this book serve as guides into Tran's artistic exploration. Trân Nguyễn is a Vietnamese freelance artist currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia. She is best known for her book illustrations and fine art, which focus on figurative art, nature and the intricacies of the human condition. Her work is painted traditionally with acrylics and colored pencil on watercolor paper, and it possesses an air of fantasy and surrealism. She has collaborated with clients such as Penguin Random House, Disney, Wizards of the Coast and Smithsonian magazine to bring their stories to life.