Research on Watercolor Painting on “The Beauty of the ‘Sufficiency’ Lifestyle in the Rural Northeast”

Prapaporn Supatraiworapong

Abstract

Research on Watercolor Painting on “The Beauty of the ‘Sufficiency’ Lifestyle in the Rural Northeast” The purpose of this research was to examine
the ‘sufficiency’ lifestyle of people in the rural Northeast, which is and always has been characterized as simple, modest, and tranquil, and to use the knowledge gained as the basis for a series of realistic watercolor paintings on “The Beauty of the ‘Sufficiency’ Lifestyle in the Rural Northeast.” The research found that the way of life of people in the Northeast has been and continues to be simple, modest and tranquil. This is most evident in the local agricultural practices, especially the ‘kitchen gardens’ which people tend to provide fruits and vegetables for their families. The study also resonated with the researcher on a personal level as I regularly helped my mother in her garden when I was a child.
After completing my observations, I chose a number of symbolic elements related to farming and kitchen gardening and set them in an
atmosphere of early morning. These then served as inspiration for a series of sketches reflecting the content, forms, techniques and procedures I had determined to use, while still retaining an element of realism or naturalistic plausibility. These sketches were then attached to an easel where the original sketches were elaborated on. Next a fixative was applied, and then the watercolors were added. At each stage of this four-step procedure, I analyzed the effects before continuing on to the next step. In this way, I eventually discovered the most appropriate forms, symbols, perspective, colors, compositions and use of blank space for conveying my intended message. I learned that in taking a figurative approach, the best kind of watercolors to use were those that were coarse and that left a significant amount of sediment on the surface of the paper. To achieve the desired effect, these watercolors were applied very carefully. The resulting images are asymmetrical; in other words, the left and right sides of the paintings  are not identical, but by giving greater focus to the lighter elements, the paintings achieve a pleasing balance. They display a uniqueness not found in the work of any other artist. By applying my own particular realistic watercolor techniques to my experiences of rural life and reimaging these elements from the past, I have succeeded not only in creating an individual series of works but in capturing a painting esthetic that goes beyond merely reproducing nature as one perceives it visually. Instead, I have imbued the paintings with a subtle range of moods and emotions. These images of plants convey the simplicity, modesty and tranquility of the ‘sufficiency’ life lived by rural villagers in Thailand’s Northeast. They instill the viewer with feelings of peace, safety and the interconnectedness of people and nature. These feelings make the viewer aware of the multifaceted nature of this interconnectedness and the beauty of a life lived in harmony with nature.