“When I look, I am captured.
I find a peace that wasn’t there.
I look intently.
My mind stops, then opens.
I am rested and refreshed.”
Hanoi, 2025
Long Bien Bridge, Hanoi, VIetnam. Digital Art
Railway Alley, Hanoi
Digital art
The Train Journey South
Poem by John Lester
Through village and town,
Past sparkling rice fields and sunlit trees.
Past rivers and boats,
Plains and mountains.
Past people on bikes.
Past factories.
Through roaring, dark tunnels, And out into bright light.
Onwards and onwards along the age-old track.
Please click on link to see the rest of the poem
Year of the Snake
The Year of the snake, acrylic and gold leaf on canvas, 30 x 30cm. sold
The lettering for ‘snake’ is written in the ancient Vietnamese script of Chữ Nôm
Still-life with Oranges
Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 30cm. Sold
Images from Pu Luong
Sunrise and mountains, PU Luong. Acrylic on canvas, 40 x 40cm
Morning mist, Pu luong. Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 30cm
Pipers Three
Flute players three, Ba người thổi sáo. Acrylic on canvas and digital reprographics, 110 x 50cm
The Weald of Kent with Javelin Train
Oil on board, 110 x 68cm
Translation into Vietnamese & Nom
Facinated by the ancient Vietnamese script of Nom, John has had one of his Poems translated into Vietnamese by Huong Thi Lan Nguyen and then into Nom by Nguyen Quang Thang of the Institute of Hán-Nôm Studies.
Tread Lightly
Tread lightly on the journey you must go.
Soft the ripples that should flow.
Three sixty look.
Judge not, just watch,
And you shall see.
© John Lester
Woman Reading
Oil on Canvas, 90 x 70cm
Inspiration for this picture came partly from paintings seen in the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum in Hanoi, notably the paintings: ‘Miss Lien’ by Huỳnh Văn Gấm, and ‘Young Girl with Lotus Flowers’ by Nguyễn Sáng. Much of the setting and background was inspired by the interior of one of John’s favourite cafés, Nola Café, Hanoi.
Power Presenter Workshop InterContinental Hanoi
This week, at the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, Chris Cummins, co-author of the book ‘Power Presenter!’ led one of his world renowned workshops on world class presenting. Colour and Motion artwork by John Lester provided an inspirational backdrop to the venue.
Sunburst and Paddy Fields, Pu Luong
Pastel on Dó paper, 37 x 58cm
Early Morning Mist and Sunlight, Pu Luong, Vietnam
Oil on Canvas, 60 x 38cm
Sunlight Returns, Nha Trang, Vietnam
Pastel sketch on coloured paper, 25 cm x 28 cm
Sunset, Hanoi
Charcoal and Pastel on Dó paper, 46 x 67cm
Lilies and Mountains, Suoi Yen, Vietnam
Oil on Canvas, 70 x 50cm
