Abby Pham (Nguyệt Minh Phạm) is a 12-year-old artist from Australia who specializes in hyper-realistic and classical realistic drawings. Working mainly with pastel pencils and graphite, Abby has developed a skill set that is rare for someone her age, quietly capturing the emotions of animals and people in a way that resonates with viewers. Though still young, her artwork often carries the depth and refinement of someone with decades of experience.

Born in Hanoi, Vietnam, Abby first discovered her love of drawing at the age of two, sketching with a pencil in hand. By the time she was six, her interest had deepened, and her drawings became increasingly detailed. “Ever since I was able to hold a pencil, I had always been dreaming of becoming a professional artist,” she shares. Fueled by that dream, she would often get up early to spend quiet hours with her art, learning from both practice and mistakes. Even as a young child, she found joy in drawing from life and putting her observations onto paper.

When Abby turned eight, she started exploring realistic drawing more seriously. Inspired by the world around her, her imagination, and reference images, she continued to refine her technique. By age ten, she had expanded into coloured pencils and soft pastels and began experimenting with using real-life objects as models for her work. Around that time, she also started receiving commission requests to draw portraits of pets and people, leading her to open her own website where she shares her work.

Now, at 12, Abby continues to grow and challenge herself as an artist. Along the way, her work has been recognised in a few art competitions and exhibitions. She has twice won first prize in the Young Bayside Art Exhibition (10–13 yrs category, 2023 and 2024), and her piece for the BSAVA PetSavers Art Competition won first prize in the under-16 category and was featured in the March issue of BSAVA’s Companion magazine. She was also a finalist in the Global Canvas Art Competition, selected from participants in 72 countries. Wildlife organisations have since approached her for commissioned artwork to support their product designs.

More recently, Abby was awarded third place in the Never Such Innocence International Competition. That artwork has also been selected for display at the Summer Exhibition at Kensington Central Library in London, running from 7 to 20 July 2025. In addition, she was named a winner of the Youth Bayside Awards 2025. Her pastel portrait titled Connie has been chosen to appear in Artists & Illustrators, a magazine published by Chelsea Magazine.

Abby continues to dedicate herself to developing her art, learning both through observation and self-guided practice. Whether she’s drawing wildlife or human portraits, she hopes to capture moments that speak to people’s hearts. Her work carries quiet stories and thoughtful messages, with each piece holding its own meaning.

“I always try my best to show the beauty of the animal kingdom and the different stories in life through my artwork,” she says. “Art has a rare ability to communicate emotions that words alone cannot convey.”

Meet the 12-year-old artist:

ABBY PHAM

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