Sawadeekah ! I welcome you with this warm greeting from Thailand.
In April, My daughter, Riya and I traveled to Chiang Mai province in Thailand to source our new collection of art.
We ventured north to this city, nestled in a valley rich in art and culture, on the banks of the Ping River. In this mountainous region, the art is influenced by surrounding countries – to the East (Laos), North (China), and West (Burma). I was curious about these influences and needed to see more.
The Rural Painter strives to honor the divinity found in daily life through art.
The Old City is surrounded by walls and moats, which protected its denizens from enemies.
This isolation allowed Buddhism as a way of life to thrive in the peaceful mountains, far away from the hustle and bustle of Bangkok. The people are kinder, the pace of life is slower, and everyone seems happy.
Such a perspective and contentment translates into the serene and spiritual art, which is strongly influenced by nature.
Despite the unbearable 100 degree heat, we followed our usual practice and found ways to immerse ourselves in the local culture.
We participated in evening prayers with monks, rode a tuk-tuk around town, and even visited a tiger sanctuary!
And of course, the local food is influenced by the neighbors too, giving Chiang Mai its own unique spicy cuisine.
I love this quote by Anita Desai –
“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.”
The Rural Painter’s endeavor is for you to experience that connection to other cultures through our art without needing to travel. We transcend borders, bringing you paintings from around the world on one platform.
We hosted two Wine and Cheese Receptions in Princeton in June to showcase the new collection. A price list is available on request.
