Artist: Thailan When
Artist: Thailan When
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Thailan When is a California painter. Her work utilizes vibrant contrast and evocative imagery to enliven her metaphorical style of visual language and storytelling. Born in Thailand and raised in the Sierra Nevada foothills, she gathers her inspiration from nature and animals, creating colorful canvases that merge dreams with reality. She splits her time between the Bay Area and LA.
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Statement
My approach to art is intuitive. I interpret my emotions as a form of raw creativity, and by listening, I am able to identify what feelings are asking for expression. Colors and images begin to flow and appear without restriction or any attempts to control. Eventually this leads to the organic development and refinement of concepts and visual stories that bridge the tangible to the ethereal, shaping the narrative of my art.
I enjoy exploring different mediums and styles-from painting and collage, to figurative and abstract, always curious to uncover the hidden messages and teachings within each new exploration. While working, I am often listening to music, singing, jotting down thoughts, and pausing to move and dance, allowing my creative process to expand and express itself freely. Over time, and with the necessary attunements, I have slowly learned to trust myself and the process. Having this trust has helped me to release judgment, and as a result, I am able to be more fully engaged in my practice.
I’ve been asked before, How do I know when something is finished? My belief is, if I’m able to develop a genuine connection to the work, while simultaneously deepening my relationship to myself, then the work can be considered done. Though arriving at a sense of completion is subjective and perhaps temporary, it has been essential for me to recognize when to let go, as the temptation of perfectionism can easily become the enemy of growth.
Lately I’ve been thinking about how to live my life as a work of art. To me, this doesn’t mean striving to live a beautiful life, but a dynamic one that can balance the inevitable light and dark found in every striking composition.
