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Wansiri

"I love art and I'm at my happiest when I am creating. I attended a rural school which mainly taught about farming and maths, so art was indeed my favorite! I was always chosen to represent my class in painting competitions, and I always got an award. My most memorable competition was when I was in 5th grade, when I won 300 THB (just under $10 USD)– I was so happy!

"I'm from Lampang province born on August 12, which happens to be the same birth date as the Queen of Thailand. It is also Mother's Day for us. That's why my parents named me Wansiri, it means 'Blessed Day.' I come from a warm family, I have a brother and a sister, and we love each other very much.

"Of course, when I gained admission at university, everyone thought I would choose something related to art, but instead I chose Physics. I told them I would love to know about nature and how it works, and Physics taught me to be a rationalist. My idea was to teach physics and paint as a hobby.

"I kept painting while I was in university and made a new friend who was an artist, and he showed me how to hone my skills. He inspired me so much that I was soon selling my paintings! I was happy because I was doing something I truly liked, plus I was also making some money which went toward my tuition, making it easier on my parents. By the time I graduated, I realized I wanted to do the opposite of what I originally intended: paint fulltime, and teach on the side!

"I lead a simple lifestyle. I do not need prosperity and luxury. I want to live in peace with people. I work at home and rarely go shopping. I intend to make the best compositions for anybody who likes my paintings.

"I love spending time with my friends and one night we went down to the river during the Loy Kratong Festival. This is when we release floats or balloons to give thanks to the water and heavenly elements for their blessings, as well as request they rid us of bad luck. My friends and I came upon a couple who was setting their Kratong together on the river, because as long as they float together it means the lovers will always be together. All of a sudden their kratongs got separated and the woman began to cry, so I jumped in the river and tied them together! The woman laughed and thanked me profusely. My friends asked me if I was crazy, and I proudly told them, 'Yes, I am!'