The Black Ao Dai (The Long Black Shirt)

Presenting....my first painting of a Vietnamese woman in a traditional Vietnamese dress, called the Ao Dai (literally Long Shirt) and pronounced: \ow zai\ with an upward intonation on the 'ow' and a downward intonation on the 'zai'. The Ao Dai is a two-piece dress, consisting of a long shirt and pants.  To me, this is the ideal dress because it comes with pants. Truth be told, I've always detested wearing dresses and avoid them at all costs but I actually enjoy wearing the Ao Dai. So, how convenient that it makes both me and my mom happy!

Since this was my first time painting, I wanted to choose something simple and easy to paint.  After contemplating what to paint for a couple weeks, a vision of one of my own modeling photos came to me.  The photo was taken by Miriam Daugherty on my very first photoshoot in Austin, Texas in May 2009. I had designed the dress when I was in Hanoi, Vietnam. I had chosen the color black, which is an unusual color choice for an Ao Dai dress because only older women, say over 70 years, might wear black and other dark shades.  Traditionally, young women wear Ao Dai of brighter colors and patterns to portray their youthfulness.  However, I wanted to design something a little bit more edgy and chic. The material is of thin flowy chiffon so that the sleeves and the waist piece are see-through.  This adds to the sexiness of the dress. I also want to point out that the secret to the Ao Dai is that it 'covers everything, but hides nothing.' In other words, it is extremely form-fitting, flattering, and shows nothing but a small triangular area of skin through the side slit at the waist. And that, my male friends, although is a big tease, is the all-time sexiest part of the Ao Dai.

Painting is another artistic mission I've been nudged to pursue for a while by an artist friend of mine, JLaw and then I met Ruba, the beautiful neuro-linguist masseuse Syrian painter.  She invited me over for an intimate painting party with 3 ladies, including myself.  I brought the wine (ladies love sweet so I chose a nice crisp Moscato). She provided the veggies and dip, art supplies and the rest is strictly confidential (except for our paintings, of course).

Over the last month, we had painting night once or twice a week either at my house or her house with a couple other ladies. Wine, tea, veggies and dip, fireplace, and painting - it was romantic, inspiring and quite simply, lots of fun!  One night, we were enjoying each other's company so much that we didn't even paint! There were four of us - dos Mexicanos, a Syrian, and a Vietnamese.  We are all in our early thirties, single, smart, strong, and attractive women.  And it got me thinking...mainly about how many independent, smart, talented, and beautiful women I know, how much I admire them and how much they inspire me.  So, really, this painting is a tribute to all the lovely ladies I know and all the ones I don't know yet, who make the world a better place.

The Black Ao Dai (the Long Black Shirt) by La Pham Nikita. Acrylic and ribbon.16" x 20". Not for sale. The red sash on the conical hat is a real red ribbon. I hope you enjoy the painting!  And if you like it, check back here for more because I am starting a series of Vietnamese Ao Dai paintings, and those will have a price, if you want one.