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Thamnu Haripitak

"My name is Thamnu Haripitak, and I am the only child of Ajan Fue Haripitak and Tanomsak Kritdakorn, who is a royal descendant. My father is acclaimed as a national artist and his work, which replicates traditional mural paintings, is admired within Thailand and abroad.

"However, I only got to know my father years after I was born. My mother's family opposed their marriage, since she was royal blood. My parents loved each other very much and thus gave me life. I grew up with my mother but I was constantly getting into trouble so I ran away from home and lived with some artist friends. I enjoyed their carefree way of life, but I didn't have any money. Eventually I met up with my father and moved in with him. I assisted him in his work and he taught me the techniques and secrets behind mural paintings. I have come to know my father over the years, and I think he is a good man and we have a very close relationship. He is always around when I need him – I don't know what I'd do without him. I visit my mother as often as I can, and we have grown closer too.

"I worked in interior design for a long time and I was making a lot of money. I had every kind of luxury but I wasn't happy. I yearned for the company of people who thought like me, who were honest and genuine. I decided to return to the countryside and leave that world behind. My father realized I was unhappy and taught me to find solace in the teachings of Buddha. He taught me how to read the Dharma, which eventually gave me strength to become a better person.

"My father motivated me to learn about, and appreciate, mural paintings. He stressed the importance of this ancient art form and taught me that I must love this type of work, struggle and tolerate the pitfalls, until I have acquired the wisdom that would guide me towards a peaceful, honest and truthful way of life.

"However, there came a time when people in Thailand seemed to have lost interest in art. People weren't buying works of art, so my father had to apply for work in universities. Times are changing once again, and there is a renewed interest in these traditional paintings, so I am able to make a good living through my work. I have found the happiness my father had mentioned, and I do not need to borrow money or paint whatever somebody else asks me to paint.

"I have lived in many places around Thailand, but I always returned to visit my parents. I was living in Chiang Rai when my wife died, and I decided to move again, this time to Chiang Mai. Here, I was commissioned to paint a mural at the Pok Krok temple, and later another one for a famous hotel.

"I paint from the bottom of my heart, stirred by the memories of my life's experiences. My painting is spontaneous, I do not start with a predetermined idea; most of my themes are based on Thailand's ancient way of life. I'm thankful to Novica for promoting my work around the world through the Internet."