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Poon
Arthit Amornchorn lives
in Mae Rim District,
Chiang Mai Province. He
is a freelance artist
who has resided in
Chiang Mai for many
years. I have seen his
works several times
— each one
reflecting his own
identity and
expression, revealing
his thoughts and
memories since
childhood. Over the
years, I have observed
the impermanence of
life through his
experiences —
particularly the
painful loss of his
wife, who passed away
from illness far too
soon. Marriage is often
considered a happy
period of life, yet
happiness is not always
distributed equally by
the world. All I could
do then was silently
wish him well.
This interview aims to bring readers a sense of hope and warmth
amid today’s difficult world.
JY.
Please tell us about your childhood, your family, and the
environment that influenced your interest in art.
PA.
My parents are originally from Nakhon Si Thammarat
Province, so I was born there. However, when I was only seven
months old, my father was transferred to work in Narathiwat
Province, and our whole family moved there.
My childhood was mostly spent in Narathiwat. I had a wonderful
time there. I was an ordinary kid who loved to draw and doodle. I
think I was quite a diligent student, but after school, I rarely
reviewed lessons — instead, I spent most of my time watching
cartoons and sketching characters, especially those by Akira
Toriyama, the creator of Dragon Ball. That probably sparked my
passion for art and drawing.
I still remember the first drawing I ever “sold” — a picture of
animals playing in the forest — for 20 baht. The buyers were my
parents. They saw me drawing in my old notebooks, so they
bought me proper art materials: large A1 white-grey paper,
pencils, and colored pencils. They told me, “Draw whatever you
like; we’ll buy this piece.” That was the first artwork I ever sold,
more than 30 years ago. My parents never discouraged me —
they supported my artistic path all along.
A major turning point came after I finished junior high (Grade 9).
I took the entrance exam for Grade 10 at the same provincial
school in Narathiwat, just like my friends. Most of my classmates
chose the science-math program, but I chose Thai-Social Studies
because I had become more interested in literature and society. I
even placed first in that track.
One day before registration, my mother went to the market and
met the school’s guidance counselor. The teacher mentioned that
there was a new art college — Nakhon Si Thammarat College of
Fine Arts — that had just opened in its second year. She suggested
I apply. My mother came home and asked if I was interested.
Without hesitation, I said yes.
Aside from my love of drawing, I also wanted to explore the
world beyond home — I was becoming a teenager. So the next
day, my mother and I traveled from Narathiwat to Nakhon Si
Thammarat. That was the beginning of my new life in art at age 15
.
When we arrived, the college was already preparing to open for
the new semester. I had missed the application deadline! But
because the school was still new, they were open to accepting
more students. My mother and I met a teacher who looked at my
transcript and asked, “You did so well in general subjects — why
switch to art?” I replied, ‘Because I want to learn how to
draw.’
The teacher kept my transcript and told me to come back the next
day to register. That’s how I was accepted — without an entrance
exam.
Life at Nakhon Si Thammarat College of Fine Arts was amazing.
My classmates were all talented and had strong art foundations. I,
on the other hand, came from a cartoon-drawing background and
initially felt behind. But my friends were kind, helpful, and
inspiring. Those three years were full of growth — the college
gave me strong artistic and technical foundations, as well as
valuable friendships and experiences that deepened my love for
art.
After graduating from the college (Vocational Certificate Level 3),
I passed the entrance exam and was admitted to the Faculty of
Painting, Sculpture, and Graphic Arts, Silpakorn University. That
marked another major chapter in my artistic journey. I lived in a
dorm near the university and later my family moved to
Nonthaburi.
At Silpakorn, I realized there were even more talented people
around me. It pushed me to grow both artistically and personally.
I became inspired by many great artists — I enjoyed all styles but
was especially drawn to realism and surrealism. My background
in cartoons and movies also influenced my style; I liked to blend
those elements into my art.
In the second year, students had to choose two core subjects
before selecting a major. I chose Painting and Printmaking
because I enjoyed both. When the time came to choose a major in
the third year, I was torn. Though I loved painting, I ultimately
chose Printmaking — because it required careful planning,
technical precision, and chemical knowledge that I wanted to
master under guidance.
I continued my studies up to the master’s degree level, doing
some painting on the side for fun. During university, I
participated in competitions, sold artworks, and even won some
prizes. Early works were more serious, focusing on social themes
— they reflected my ideas then but didn’t fully express who I was.
During my thesis, I shifted toward a more playful and personal
style, incorporating cartoon elements I loved. That change made
my later works much more authentic and enjoyable.
JY.
How did your education shape your perspective and artistic
skills? Were there mentors or figures who influenced your work?
PA.
After earning my bachelor’s degree and preparing for my
master’s, I started working as an illustrator — a job I truly loved. I
thought it would be easy since drawing was my strength, but it
was quite challenging! Book illustration requires interpreting text
into imagery that clearly conveys meaning to readers. It was
difficult but enjoyable.
Over time, I progressed from illustrator to author-illustrator,
creating my own children’s books. Since I’ve always loved stories,
comics, and movies, working on children’s literature came
naturally. Over the past decade, I’ve published and illustrated
over 30 books — a truly meaningful experience.
I also founded and ran an art school for children for more than
ten years — something I had long dreamed of doing. Working
closely with children helped shape my storytelling-oriented
approach to art.
Another life-changing moment came nearly four years ago, when
I lost my wife to cancer. During her illness, I stayed home to care
for her and began painting more again. After her passing, I
decided to devote myself fully to personal art, closing the school
and stepping away from book illustration.
At first, art was a form of healing, but I soon realized it was truly
who I am.
My works over the past four years use various techniques —
drawing, watercolor, acrylic, oil, and colored pencils — yet they
all reflect my lifelong inspirations from childhood to now. For me
, technique is both a tool and part of the message. Though I didn’t
continuously create personal art after university like some peers,
my varied experiences have enriched my skills and perspectives
tremendously.
JY.
Concept and artistic identity
PA.
After four years of full-time personal work, I recently held a
major solo exhibition at the end of September titled “Grow &
Glow.”
The exhibition reflected my life journey and personal growth,
featuring themes drawn from fairy tales, cartoons, films,
literature, and music — each representing different life stages. All
the works were created using colored pencils only — a time
-consuming but rewarding technique. The response was very
positive.
Today, the art world is more open and diverse than ever. With
just a smartphone, people can access artworks instantly and
attend exhibitions virtually before visiting in person. I believe this
accessibility helps the art community grow in richness and
diversity.
For artists, the most important thing is authenticity and
consistency. Success takes time, but with persistence and belief in
one’s vision, opportunities will always come. Discipline and self
-identity are equally essential — without one, the other cannot
thrive.
JY.
Techniques and artistic presentation
PA.
My latest solo exhibition, “Grow & Glow – Memories and the
Growth of Life,” explores how simple things can hold special
meaning. What’s ordinary to one person might be precious to
another. Growth is influenced by environment, family, friendship,
and love — and it all begins with passion and affection for small
things.
If someone shares similar experiences or feelings — whether
family, lover, or friend — that shared emotion enriches the joy
and warmth of life’s journey.
The works borrow elements from bedtime stories, cartoons,
movies, music, and literature, revisiting childhood memories and
reimagining familiar tales with new characters — like alternate
universes. Heroes can become villains, and villains can turn kind,
depending on each person’s experiences and emotions.
As a child, I loved reading fairy tales and would spend hours in
the library discovering new stories filled with dragons, witches,
wolves, and magical creatures. Later, cartoons and films
deepened my connection with characters. I began drawing them,
inventing new plots, and even collecting figures and models —
things that still inspire me today.
Some of these characters have stayed with me throughout life.
They symbolize memories, relationships, and moments of joy and
nostalgia.
Even now, some of them appear in my dreams — blending the
past and present. These dreams inspire new works — surreal,
playful, and emotionally layered.
For me, every drawing becomes a personal story, a fairy tale that
continues to grow with time.
The figures in this collection are drawn from my childhood
imagination and personal collection — toys, figures, and models
— representing different life stages. I portray them with deep
respect and affection.
The works connect the imaginary and real worlds, showing that
happiness from dreams and memories can bridge both
dimensions.
The entire series was created using colored pencil on
canvas/linen, a slow and labor-intensive technique. Each layer of
blended color took patience and precision, but it challenged my
skills and revealed the expressive power of this medium.
I prepared each canvas with multiple layers of primer, tested
materials carefully, and used the best brands for both canvas and
fixative coatings to ensure long-term preservation.
The texture of colored pencil on rough canvas — its grain and
resistance — reminded me of writing on chalkboards in school. It
evoked powerful nostalgia, perfectly aligning with the exhibition’s
theme of revisiting childhood.
This technique, though slower than others like watercolor or oil,
allowed me to achieve a softness, richness, and tactile depth
unique to colored pencils. Each piece is built through multiple
layers of blending, overlapping, and testing, creating vivid and
durable results.
Ultimately, colored pencil proved to be the perfect medium for
this exhibition — both technically and emotionally. It resonates
deeply with my current stage of life, where reflection, patience,
and imagination intertwine.
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