Photo Studies Artist At Work Painting And Traveling

When I show an original painting to friends, relatives or at an art show, I'm always asked why I painted the picture. Here on this web page I attempt to express the inspiration behind each oil and acrylic painting. When available, I also display pictures of the subject in its natural surrounding. Click any picture to enlarge and read my full story.

Mae Sai Thailand Akha hill tribe woman selling lettuce Painting: Selling, Acrylic On Canvas
While living in Chiang Rai, Thailand, in the North near the Golden Triangle, I was lucky to live close to a border town called Mae Sai. Mae Sai, Thailand offered numerous art subjects and also a laid back place to cross the border into Myanmar (Burma) to renew my tourist visa when needed. On one day trip to Mae Sai, Thailand I spotted the Akha hill tribe woman in the picture below.

Koh Pi Pi Phuket Thailand longtail boat Painting: Oiltip, Acrylic & Oil On Canvas
On a day-trip to Koh Pi Pi island off the coast of Phuket in the Andaman Sea on December 26th 2002 (two years to the day before the island was hit by the tsunami ), I saw many of these longtail boats they use for transporting large groups of tourists around the islands. The 'tail' refers to the propeller that enters the water some 20-30 feet behind the boat from the engine, which is as loud as you can imagine. The first picture below is a nice shot of the name "oiltip" and the Thai flag.

Mae Sai Thailand woman pushing fruit cart Painting: Fresh Fruit With Smile, Oil & Acrylic On Canvas
I saw this woman with her fruit cart in Patong Beach, Phuket, Thailand. Her and her cart were just a moving burst of color. As an artist, this is the kind of sight that makes my heart race. When I raised my camera to snap a few pictures, I was rewarded with another beautiful sight. The world famous 'Thai Smile.' What also struck me was that this small woman couldn't have weighed 50 kilos and the cart, packed with fruit and crushed ice, must have been 200 kilos!

Cambodia two monk walking with umbrella Painting: Cambodian Shade, Acrylic On Canvas
While living In the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, I had four months to put this painting together, take photos and people watch. There is nowhere a foreigner can go in Cambodia that the locals are not only watching you but gawking at you. The history and poverty of this country is well documented and it is a sad story. They are kind people and very in touch with their Buddhist religion, that is why I included a monk in the painting.

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