The world is a book and those who do not travel, read only a page.
In Indonesia one finds a close harmony between its natural beauty and its art. From volcanoes to undersea coral gardens, rice terraces to beaches, countless temples and the unique culture are all reflected in its art. Art interests the eternal traveler in all of us.
Nepal is a living, breathing work of art. The tastes, sights, sounds, smells overload the senses, yet there is a strange peace here. Kathmandu valley alone has 7 Unesco World Heritage Sites – a living cultural museum. Monk art finds its origins in Tibet. Many sculptures and paintings were created as aids for Buddhist meditation, and to remind people that they too can achieve enlightenment. Bring positive energies into your space.
Art in Chiang Mai is very different to art from Bangkok. Buddhism thrived in this walled city up north in the mountains. The artists have strong global opinions which they express on canvas. A cultural thread runs through their work as they express concerns about global warming and animal welfare through their brush strokes. They use art to change opinions, instill values and translate experiences.
Art from Vietnam is emerging from anonymity. Artists endeavor to change the
perception of their cultural heritage as a derivative of other cultures. They are establishing their place in the mainstream, incorporating the modern without losing touch with tradition. Art is channeled energy. It creates pause for a viewer to connect with their own soul.
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Lok Chitrakar (photos attached) is a Master artist in Kathmandu who runs a traditional art training school. He practices the unique heritage of Pauba art which dates back to the 12th century and requires multiple years of study to visually interpret Buddhist and Hindu philosophies. It is an experience to watch him, mixing mineral colors from Himalayan stones ground by hand. His paintings sell out before completion and he has exhibited across the world.
Gopi is a Nepalese artist who paints mountain ranges. Influenced by the scenery in this region, he recreates vistas from the border between Nepal and Tibet.
Paul Augus from Bali is a younger artist who explores creativity through multimedia projects. He loves to use metallic colors which express his imagination effectively. He says his art states an inner truth that can’t be explained in words. A graduate from ISI Denpasar, he continues to express himself through the medium of art.
Artist Kasem Khaolar (photo attached) from Chiang Mai, Thailand is influenced by the beauty of nature around him. He is the recipient of numerous awards in both Thailand and the US. In 2009 he was awarded at the Agora Gallery in NYC as part of the Chelsea International Fine Art Competition. His collections have traveled through Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Russia, USA, Germany, Holland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
He was born in Phayo, Thailand in 1971 and has a degree in Fine Art from the Rajamangkala Institute of Technology in Chiang Mai. He continues to pursue his passion creating images of beauty.
Liladhar from Nepal specializes in mountain ranges and amazingly realistic sceneries. He enjoys painting the Himalayan mountain range. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts as well as diplomas from the Nepal Art Gallery. At the age of 36, he has several group exhibitions to his credit and works closely with various art groups in Nepal. He has painted an entire series on the Hialayan mountains for The Rural Painter
Pradeep Shrestha lives in Kathmandu with his family. He has a Master’s degree in Fine Art and has been painting for close to 30 years. He paints local family life in the region, experimenting with acrylic paints using brushes, his fingers and mixed media. His signature style of painting has earned him a name in art circles and he has exhibited throughout Nepal during his career.
Jarun Pan-outa from Chiang Mai, Thailand is a renowned artist in this region. He has a degree in Fine Arts and has been painting for 25 years. He is part of an artists commune that paints together. His specialty is blending soothing acrylic colors to highlight the beauty of this mountainous region. He hopes to deliver messages to the world through his art.
Tony Samsudin from Indonesia was born in 1950. A self-taught artist, he enjoyed painting most of his life and passed away in 2017. He was known to paint his local culture and everyday life, creating an almost cinematic effect in his artworks.
Nyoman Danta is from Indonesia is a graduate of the University of Denpasar. In 2003 he was awarded for his outstanding work and contribution to the school. He is known to convey messages and moods through his bold brush strokes.
Cholis is a self-taught artist in Solo, Indonesia. His creation of large Buddhist images on a textured background define his style. He uses sand or paper to create composition on basic canvas. Once dry, he paints over the grainy surface with oil colors, giving the painting depth and form. Cholis is originally from Japan and married a Balinese lady, settling in Indonesia. At 49 years of age, he continues to experiment with various mediums in his work.
Kaew (Saengkaew Bongkotmat) is one of the few female artists in Chiang Mai. She hopes to convey the different lifestyles of the Thai people through her paintings, and travels through Thailand to gain different perspectives. All of her paintings draw inspiration from the experiences she captures on camera, then translates onto canvas. Kaew was born in Krabi in 1975 and has been painting for 20 years. She graduated with a BA in education technology and studied art as a minor. The masterpiece, Pilgrimage is a scene from a town near Bangkok, where the monks travel to a temple.Kaew uses a minimal palette with thick brush strokes to highlight line and form using monochromatic and tonal values. The hint of color turns this into a mesmerizing work of art.
Artist Sanguan Noingoen takes us on a Buddhist journey by monks in search of the Truth. He works with oils for their rich, vivid colors, creating a mood in each of his pieces. The monochromatic tones give the painting depth and a new dimension. Sanguan has exhibited throughout Thailand as well as in the US, UK, France, Japan and Singapore.
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An Indonesian artist who is constantly pushing his own creative limits. He has been painting for The Rural Painter for 5+ years. A graduate of the Senior School of Art in Denpasar, Bali, he built a small community of artists called SaptaKanti (7 friends) who paint together. He has been working on a cultural exchange program between Indonesia and Taiwan. He lives with his wife and 2 children in Bali.
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