Tay Nontawat "I still work quite a bit in the rice fields, but I also love working with wood. I enjoy it. I'm glad I have the chance to show my work through Novica. I hope people will love it." The artistry of Tay Nontawat has been featured in Natural Health magazine. "My name is Tay Nontawat. I was born on March 24, 1973. My parents are farmers and I have only one older sister. When I was young, my parents were very poor. They had to work hard in the rice fields, just as my sister does. By the time I was a teenager, our family economics were better. "My parents didn't see the advantage of an education because no one from our family ever graduated from anything except primary school. Besides, they seem to think that farm work doesn't require a higher education. They thought kids from farming families could never compete with those from wealthier families to get into good schools. So they tried to motivate us to work in the rice fields. "My sister had to work very hard to help my parents, but she was able to pass the entrance exam to a good school and university. This caused my parents to change their attitude about education. They supported me in what I wanted to study. But I just could not make it. I just couldn't focus on anything when I was a teenager, so I don't have a high school certificate. It's a shame when I think about the opportunity I threw away. "However when I was young, I learned carpentry skills from my father and male relatives. Wood working seems to be what every man in my village does. I remember making some wooden toys or wooden houses when I was around ten. Jamras Thapinta [a Novica featured artist] is my neighbor and I have learned many things from him and his brother. We also work together much of the time. "Even though I've worked with Jamras for a long time, I only began to focus on wood work a couple of years ago. I started my own small work shop with a small kiln. At first I focused on the work that Jamras gave me. Once I was able to do it all, I began to work on my own designs and develop a style of my own. "I still work quite a bit in the rice fields, but I also love working with wood. I enjoy it. I'm glad I have the chance to show my work through Novica. I hope people will love it."

	Customer Reviews
		I received the Waiting for You feline statuettes pair today in the mail. I am very impressed with his woodwork and it will definitely be a possession put on display in my household. Thank you very much for this great service which allowed me to connect with a woodcarver that I would have never met under any other circumstance! - Aaron V., Birmingham/AL/USA I bought the 'Red Pipe' and it was a wonderful addition to my colection. Tay Nontawat is a great and talented artist. Hopefully I'll be able to buy more of his work in the near future - Alvaro G, Pacifica, CA Tay; I was just sitting at my desk thinking, and looking at your carving hanging on my wall. My mind shifted from a difficult task to how beautiful your work is. Thank you for that! Bill Hall - William H, Phoenix, Arizona USA I just received the Teak Relief Panel "Divisible Petal" and it is beautiful, intricate, colorful and makes a nice contrast to the oil painting on the wall. We paired it with another teak relief by Jamras Thapinta and the individuality of the artists shows through in each piece. It is nice to have pieces by artists who know each other. Tay, you are so very talented. Thank you for your lovely art work. - Christina R, Brooklyn, NY,USA I have ordered a couple of this person's work. He is an excellent artisan and produces beautiful pieces. I'm very pleased and will soon buy another piece of his art. - Mary L, Reno, NV USA Tay, I have purchased several pieces from you over the years and the love you have working with work shows deeply and bring much joy to our home and remind my husband of his country’s beauty. Thank you, Michelle - Michelle S, Lynnwood, WA, USA Tay's work is exquisite beautiful, and amazingly intricate! I have purchased 4 items created by him and they are breath taking! I believe that when you purchase a piece of art work you are connecting with the artist in an abstract way. Thank you Tay for the joy you have brought to my home. - Ruth Nicholson, Fitchburg, MA. USA When I ordered the carved relief panel from this artist, I knew that I would love it. I could see the workmanship that went into it from the photograph, and I have come to trust Novica quality over the years. Of course, it is even more beautiful hanging on my wall...the soft, rich colors are especially lovely! Thank you, Tay Nontawat! - Kirsti I purchased the teak relief panel "Lamduan Star" as a gift for my daughter - the pictures do not do it justice. The intricate design is expertly sculpted, resulting in a beautiful work of art that my daughter is proud to display in her home. I'm sure I'll be buying one of Mr. Nontawat's relief panels in the near future for my own home. Thank you so much! - Deborah We absolutely love our piece. We look forward to purchasing more, we have definitely developed a theme in our home from abroad and folks love to come in to our home and remark about how it looks like a museum. It is through the artworks of Tay and others here at Novica that we receive so many compliments on my wife's decorating. Thanks! - Sam and Christine Baker, Enterprise/Alabama/United States Just received my purchase and the packaging is beutiful!! I will get to see the product when my wife opens it for christmas!! thank you!! - Saun D I just opened my latest purchase created by Tay. It is even more beautiful than on the website. It's wonderful to have the opportunity to connect to such great craftsmanship. - Jason F I received the flower wheel today. It is wonderful, better than I imagined! I can't wait to buy more from this wonderful artist! - Cathy E, Milwaukee/WI The item I purchased (an elephant mirror) was even better than I expected. I look forward to purchasing some of Tay's work. - Jason F Exquisite 'Red pipe' mask, it is one of my favorites, every day a new detail catches my attention. Tay, Kop Kun Mak ! - Corina F, Canada