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Opas Chomchuen

"Hello, I'm Opas Chomchuen. I was born on August 20, 1971, the son of orchid growers. When I was a child, I helped my parents with their work. I think it fostered the love and concern for natural things that is present in my works. I graduated with a BA in fine arts. Now I'm studying for a master's degree in color prints.

"I spent my childhood in the country where nature's scenery connects with the sea, and I loved to paint it. In primary and high school, I participated in the art club and my teacher advised me to continue my study of the arts. After receiving a bachelor's degree, I took the teaching exam and became a teacher at a vocational college where I have worked since 1997. Because I have to plan classes and do my best teaching, I haven't had as much time to paint.

"I chose to study color prints to improve my art and to teach my students. I first tried to paint by copying original pictures without imagination. But the world of art is changing. Today, instead of creating identical works, students need to feel their imagination.

"My works are influenced by South America, which I have seen in books and documentaries. Most of my paintings portray nature and animals – birds or fish. My works are optimistic and relaxed. I consider them to be natural conservation. That is, I point to nature. I hope everyone looks at them with the happiness nature inspires.

"For my future plans, I love painting and I also love to teach. I'd eventually like to have an arts school."

Chomchuen has received numerous awards for his work. In adition to painting, Chomchuen works in xylograph prints. Also known as woodblock or woodcut, the technique involves carving the images on a block of wood. Ink adheres to the raised surfaces, and the block is pressed on paper. A different block is required for each color, and they must be applied with great precision.

For his intaglio prints, or ethchings, Chomchuen coats a metal plate with an acid-resistent material and etches the design freehand onto the plate. It is then bathed in acid, and the motifs become depressions in the plate where ink will gather. A different plate is used for each color.