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Tavichon

"I am very lucky to have grown up in a family that loves art. This has helped me to be gentle and to understand other people better. It has also helped me understand that caring and thinking about others is so important.

"Sawasdee krap. I'm Tavichon Chomtaveevirut, 'a man who has long life' according to the meaning of my name. My nickname is Paint because my parents are both artists and art teachers as well. They had even chosen this name for me before I was born on October 15, 1979.

"I grew up in a big warm family – our grandparents, my parents, myself and my sister. She's interested in computing, but my parents and I have always been involved in the arts. I really started learning art when I was 16, and even had a solo exhibition at our gallery. My parents always supported me in what I like. They give me great help and advice, and critique my works. Although my mother has passed away, I will always remember what she taught me.

"After receiving a BA in fine art, I worked as an art teacher for two years. But teaching prevented me from creating my own work. So I went to India for further studies and graduated with an MA degree from Visava Bharati Santiniketan. My major was printmaking. I was very happy with this field of study and learned a lot in India, including how to be independent. I supported myself there and it was great when I was selling my paintings. I can live with what I love.

"When I was in India, the style of my work was quite different from what I've created in Thailand. The vivid colors and ways of life in India are so rich that this became my main inspiration while I was there. I also spent quite lot of time exploring in the forest so that I experienced the beauty of nature as well.

"Now that I'm living in Thailand again, the variety in my surroundings is my main inspiration. But I don't limit myself to creating work with only Thai themes.

"When I first arrived in India, I was a bit confused – things are quite different there. For example, in my country we shake our heads to say 'no' but, in India, it has the opposite meaning. The difficulties that people have to face there helped me to grow. I am very lucky compared to lots of people there who survive despite a lot of problems. It was great to have the chance to go there.

"I'm always happy when I have the chance to help other people or do anything that is good for society, even if it is just a little thing. I'm always careful and plan my life to face what's currently going on and the environment.

"For me, it's a challenge to pick any object and turn it into an art form that people can feel. I like a variety of colors. Once I take a look at things around me, I turn these objects into the colors I like. For me, this is the best presentation of a subject. It's a kind of direct painting on the surface, and I like to create lines that people can feel. My designs are taken from traditional motifs and my inspiration comes from the subject and emotions surrounding it."