Award-winning nail artist paints miniature world

In a true artistic manner, Vu, a nail artist at the Provence Salon in Bonsall, prefers to use only one name. Although he is humble and self-effacing, his clients have come to the consensus that he is destined for stardom. A self-starter encouraged by his mother, 26-year-old Vu of Oceanside began his nail art career by emulating the nail techniques found in magazines, and eventually attending school. “I think I’m going to be a lifer,” he said.

Vu creates both jell and acrylic nails, but undoubtedly his claim to fame will be the nail art he painstakingly paints with his one-bristle paintbrush. He has already won several competitions, including first prize at the Nail Olympics in Las Vegas. In June of this year he entered a dazzling display of nails painted with an undersea theme. The piece featured dolphins, multi-colored fish, sponges and rays of light piercing the water. Vu was happy about his victory but also pleased that his brother, also a nail artist, had placed in the competition as well. “It was cool,” said Vu. His work has been recognized by the magazines Nail Pro and Nails.

Because he enjoys the artistic aspect of his work, he is now also painting portraits. “I can paint the scene on your nails and I can paint it on the wall,” he said. Lisa Reckers, a client sporting ten marvelous and varied Christmas scenes, said, “He can do intricate work like my nails and he also does the most beautiful portraits you’ve ever seen. I think someday he is going to be really famous.”

The Christmas scenes painted on Reckers’ nails are incredible. Against a backdrop of a multi-colored sky Vu has painted fences, trees laden with snow and a house with a snow-covered roof. He even painted a tiny snowman in the corner of one nail, complete with a mauve flowing scarf, carrot nose, coal buttons and a top hat with a mauve band to match the scarf! “He does it fast, too, Reckers noted. “I was in the chair for an hour and a half.”

The nails are almost 3-D because of the layered background. “The holiday nails are incredible because as you look further into the nail you will see different scenes,” explained Reckers. “At Halloween, he painted five jack-o-lanterns on a fence. Each had a different face and each was illuminated from the inside like a Thomas Kinkade painting. Then there was a mummy with detailed wrappings.”

Vu has no problem doing custom work. Recently he painted a Rolling Stones album on a nail and also completed a set of Harry Potter nails for a customer who was attending a fan convention.

Linda Baron, another client, said, “It’s the most amazing thing you’ve ever seen — I’m just blown away.” Vu said in his quiet self-effacing manner, “I am happy to be here and work with this group. They give me a lot of support.”

Visit Vu at Provence Salon, which is located near the Bonsall Post Office at 5525 South Mission Road. Call (760) 414-1008 for an appointment.