I found my time spent at Sam Rit to be very rewarding, in an artistic and a social, personal sense. Coming from a full on job as a regional Gallery Coordinator, where long days and many daily meetings were the norm, to easing into a much slower pace with totally my own schedule, and only a few people to talk to was just what I needed. Reflecting back on my 2 weeks, I miss the daily heartbeat of the small village of Sam Rit with its patterns of life, like the daily varied and many birdsongs, the sound of the Tokkei (the large gecko), the sound of the Buddhist prayers from the loudspeaker that could be heard all over the village, the jingle of the cows being led around the village and being gently guided home at night by their owners, and the local children playing ball games and hide and seek outside the studio. I enjoyed the pace of life that went on around me as I worked daily in the residency studio creating my own rhythm to work to, and enjoying my solitude. My daily excursions on the supplied bike provided ample material for me, either from direct sketches or photographs, and was a great way to get a feel for the community. Believing you see more by walking or riding a bike, I even ventured to Phimai one day on the bike, on the hottest day of my stay, but I do recommend the Thai massage when you get there.
It was comforting to know that Eam, his wife Puy Art and On were there to help with any queries, and provide transport for those trips to Phimai and to Nakhon Ratchasima, and they were always happy to oblige, with big smiles. Jin, the shop owner and restaurant cook across the road from the residency became friends, along with her mother Cheun, husband Ti, and 2 children, and it was sad to leave her wonderful cooking and company. They were much keener to learn English than I was at learning Thai, although my ‘kop koon ka’ eventually got there. I also found the husband and wife team looking after the family farm were very helpful, especially in explaining the various fish traps and their names that I discovered, and mean to do more with. I felt totally comfortable sitting on the low bamboo table, in the steamy afternoon for a couple of hours sketching and enjoying their hospitality and genuine desire to help. We overcame the language barrier.
My visit coincided with the Thai New Year, a 3 day event called Songkran, where water features heavily. This meant the locals did their best to drench every passerby on foot, bike, scooter or truck from water pistols and buckets of water, and there was much rivalry from neighbouring villages. Also during my visit there was a local election, and I’m happy to say that Eam was elected local Mayor of one of the villages.
Sam Rit residency was a home away from home, with all that I needed to feel comfortable. If I had longer time, I could have done some art with the children, as I felt I was just getting to know them by the time I left. Even though there was not much happening with the rice farming at this time, there was still plenty to see from temples, monuments, and family and farming life, which is so different from what I am used to. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and recommend it to others.
It was comforting to know that Eam, his wife Puy Art and On were there to help with any queries, and provide transport for those trips to Phimai and to Nakhon Ratchasima, and they were always happy to oblige, with big smiles. Jin, the shop owner and restaurant cook across the road from the residency became friends, along with her mother Cheun, husband Ti, and 2 children, and it was sad to leave her wonderful cooking and company. They were much keener to learn English than I was at learning Thai, although my ‘kop koon ka’ eventually got there. I also found the husband and wife team looking after the family farm were very helpful, especially in explaining the various fish traps and their names that I discovered, and mean to do more with. I felt totally comfortable sitting on the low bamboo table, in the steamy afternoon for a couple of hours sketching and enjoying their hospitality and genuine desire to help. We overcame the language barrier.
My visit coincided with the Thai New Year, a 3 day event called Songkran, where water features heavily. This meant the locals did their best to drench every passerby on foot, bike, scooter or truck from water pistols and buckets of water, and there was much rivalry from neighbouring villages. Also during my visit there was a local election, and I’m happy to say that Eam was elected local Mayor of one of the villages.
Sam Rit residency was a home away from home, with all that I needed to feel comfortable. If I had longer time, I could have done some art with the children, as I felt I was just getting to know them by the time I left. Even though there was not much happening with the rice farming at this time, there was still plenty to see from temples, monuments, and family and farming life, which is so different from what I am used to. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and recommend it to others.
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