The moment Francesco set foot in Asia was the first time he was absorbed by the vibrancy, the energy, and the beauty of its people, landscapes, and cityscapes. The amount of possibilities, stories, and adventures seemed limitless and ready for him to plunge into and explore: the aromas, tastes, and colours were almost inebriating. Painting is a fluid act allows Francesco to re-live certain experiences and adventures, many of which are related to travel and discovery. After digesting these experiences he brings them to life, almost subliminally, onto the canvas. The composition, the choice of colours, and the key elements of the painting begin to appear. Francesco relaxes into the process and refines what's already there, layer-by-layer, element-by-element, colour-by-colour, until the memory of the place, the adventure, is brought to life. In The Colors of Asia, Francesco Lietti documents a collection of his works while providing behind-the-scenes insights into the making of his paintings: the inspiration, the technique, the experiences, and the passion. Pairing short memoirs with his inspired images, the reader gets to see the process of art with the finished piece. Francesco has also invited a few friends, fellow artists, and colleagues working in the art field to write pieces about his work so that he might have the chance to learn something about himself and his work through the eyes of others. AUTHOR: Francesco Lietti has been living in Hong Kong since early 2006 and his love for the vibrant, eclectic city is immediately apparent in his work, which derives from the mnemonic imagery of the artist, who lives in symbiosis with the themes of travel and discovery. His paintings hover between reality and fantasy. Using strong blocks of paint to represent the buildings, Lietti also includes smaller patches of textured colour, which dance across the cityscape, giving it that dream-like, ephemeral quality. The artist works in acrylic and oils on canvas and also adds collage to give his paintings texture and depth. He then finishes his pieces with a thick, glossy resin, further enhancing the brightness of the colours. Lietti also captures the colours and delights of other Asian destinations. The lush greens of Vietnam and Bali, the golden sunsets of Rajasthan and the deep blue seascapes of the Philippines - these are just some of the many places he has visited and experienced. The artist gives us rare glimpses of merging reality with a magical world. Francesco was born in Lecco on the southern shore of Lake Como in Italy. He studied architecture in Milan and furthered his studies in Paris at the Ecole des Beaux Arts, La Seine, and also at the Clerkenwell College of Printing in London. His works are featured in private collections worldwide.