Fresh Beginnings

“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

Su May. Mountains of Sapa, Vietnam

Acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60cm

Overlooking a vista of sunlit mountains in Sapa, this picture depicts a woman, Su May, from the Red Dao People, repairing a traditional ethnic jacket on her veranda.

Morning Star and Sunlit Clouds, Sapa

Oil on canvas, 79 x 60cm

The mountain landscape of Sapa in the far north west of Vietnam draws many tourists to experience the breathtaking scenery. This picture, high up on Fansipan Mountain, depicts the great bell tower, Dai Hong Chung Watchtower. The sound of a solitary bell can be imagined gently reverberating into the blue sky and over the brilliant white clouds; which conceal mountains and valleys far below. Photographs from the photographer, Van Nguyen, provided additional inspiration and reference for this painting.

Art Installations

Hanoi Railway Station and Long Bien Station

Vietnam

Please click to follow links

Long Bien Bridge

Spanning 1,680m across the Red River, the distinctive, metal Long Bien Bridge, has become an iconic image of the city of Hanoi. Designed by and constructed by the French company Daydé & Pillé, Long Bien Bridge was built from 1898 to 1902, and remains important in linking the northern reaches of Vietnam with the rest of the country.
The bridge has stood the test of time, transporting countless passengers and goods, surviving wars and floods, and remains solid in its foundations and historical roots.
Reference: www.historicvietnam.com

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

A Walk Around Hoan Kiem Lake

Acrylic on canvas, 110 x 80cm

This picture was created specifcally for a checkpoint area at Long Bien Station, Hanoi. The picture makes reference of the Hanoi’s twelve seasons of flowers (one flower for each month of the year) and the famous Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of Hanoi.

A Walk Around Hoan Kiem Lake. Acrylic on canvas 110 x 90cm

From the flower seller’s bike, I bought
Some lilies white, some lilies pink.
I bought some lotus flowers too;
Red pink, just for you.

We strolled around Hoan Kiem Lake.
We talked, we sat, we smiled;
Perfumed air from blossoms thick, refreshed.
Sky blue, warm sun, happy thoughts,
And we became one.

Checkpoint Area, Long Bien Station and picture Detail used for a travel poster for vietnam Railways

Year of the Snake

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

Colour and Motion oil painting, by John Lester. The Weald of Kent with highspeed Javelin train

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

Poem, Tread Lightly, translated into Nom, loc, lotus flowers by 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.

Vietnamese woman reading, ao dai, Colour and Motion, oil painting by John Lester

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.