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Choojit

"My name is Choojit Panjachaiya and I am an artist. I was born on July 5, 1964. My parents divorced when I was three years old, but I never had any problems growing up without a father around. Although I learned a lot by myself, my mom and grandma taught me everything and were great advisors. My mom is now 69 years old. My grandma is 90 and she has been blind for several years. We all live together; my sister and I help look after grandma. She always took care of us to her best, so now we do the same for her.

"I have participated in art contests since the first level of primary school. I was awarded prizes several times. I loved art and felt happy when I painted so after graduating from junior high school, I enrolled in the Northern Campus Technical College, which is now called Rajamangala University of Technology Lanna. I graduated with a diploma in 1987 and two years later, taught art to secondary school students. In 2002, I decided to resign because I wanted to be a free artist, to follow my heart and create artwork without restrictions.

"I am inspired by the beauty of nature. I like stones, their many shapes and shades of color. I look for them in rivers, waterfalls, etc., and paint them in a realistic fashion. When I paint them, time stops, emotions become one with nature. The first time I came across stones, I wanted to keep them, but rather decided to keep them through my drawings instead of becoming their owner. I did not want to interfere, or damage the environment, even in such an imperceptible way. I felt like taking a stone away from nature would make it lose its essence, its natural beauty.

"I would like the new generation of artists to follow in their seniors' footsteps as regards the preservation of Thai arts and of our environment. Our culture and traditions are wonderful, subtle and ancient. Paying respect to the elders and being grateful to one's parents. Living peacefully and gently toward others. Not troubling society and the environment. Living by following the dharmic principles and conducting oneself according to the five Buddhist commandments.

"Presently I display and sell my works in some galleries and at home. I think collectors worldwide who are in love with Thai art will be happy to see all the works displayed on Novica's Internet Gallery. I hope they will appreciate my paintings as much as they may love nature. Please protect the environment."