Thai painters

It sometimes seems as if many artists in Thailand can handle the brush well. In the larger towns you will come across a multitude of galleries. Usually it concerns the workplace of the artist in question, which also serves as an exhibition space.

Portrait artists

A number of portrait artists and painters have settled in Chiangmai at the famous Night Bazaar. On the basis of a simple photo, the men - and also the ladies - draw a sublimely resembling portrait. I have often watched those artists there with admiration. Black and white is more appealing to me than color for a portrait. Compare it with photography. Some subjects get something mysterious, something exciting in black and white.

The painters

Although there are many painters who really have something to offer, they often lack the necessary imagination. They often do not get any further than copying existing work. Van Gogh's sunflowers are proving to be very popular, as are the Colombian painter Fernando Botero, who is widely known for his work depicting pompous people.

Artists who create something that has sprouted from their own brains are few and far between and that is a great pity. Repainting should be taboo for any self-respecting artist.

Taste

There is no arguing about taste and what is good taste? Personally, for example, I am not at all fond of woodcarving. Have a lot of admiration for the craftsmanship of the makers, but don't want to have it for money. As famous as Van Gogh's sunflowers may be, even such a copy leaves me Siberian cold.

Rembrandt

He is not dead and lives on in his work. The recently completely renovated Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam again attracts large numbers of visitors and crowds of people are amazed at De Nachtwacht.

When I visited the studio of a certain painter, a big smile appeared on my face. Face to face I stood there in front of De Nachtwacht. I could just touch Rembrandt's most famous creation and shake hands with Captain Banning Cock and Lieutenant Willem van Ruytenburg. What a privileged person I was in Thailand. Never before have I been able to experience something so unique.