On New Year's day I visited
Baan Chaang Nak in Samkampaeng with Dtuum and her brother. He is a friend of the master carver and sculptor of this village compound of unique and imaginative elephant art. This combination working studio, museum and showroom is well-known for the creative work of the artisans there who carve chunks of wood and scult heaps of concrete-like material into unbelievable renditions of elephants of every size and stance. Most of the sculpted elephants are lifesize and very realistic. The variety of talent and and creative results is amazing. To see photos and descriptions,
view elephant album here.
The carver's daughter, a former student of Dtuum's brother who is an art teacher, showed us around the village answering many of my questions. The family was just completing an authentic lanaa style bamboo house on stilts. Every joint in this house was tied with bamboo or grasses - there were no pegs or nails. To see photos and descriptions
view lanaa album here.
We joined the workers in traditional
laap NY dinner (raw minced beef and spices) with local whiskey steeped in herbs. It was poured from a large jug filled with sticks and stems - instead of snakes, like Jim's whiskey in Laos.
Ganesha is the elephant-headed deity, Hindu god of success, known as the Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles, patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom.
We then visited a nearby Sa Paper and Umbrella making center which demonstrates the process including handpainting. Artists were painting delicate designs on what I would call parasols as well as painting colorful designs on your clothing. For photos and descriptions view painting here. (Soon)
On New Year's day I visited Baan Chaang Nak in Samkampaeng with Dtuum and her brother. He is a friend of the master carver and sculptor of this village compound of unique and imaginative elephant art. This combination working studio, museum and showroom is well-known for the creative work of the artisans there who carve chunks of wood and scult heaps of concrete-like material into unbelievable renditions of elephants of every size and stance. Most of the sculpted elephants are lifesize and very realistic. The variety of talent and and creative results is amazing. To see photos and descriptions, view elephant album here. 
The carver's daughter, a former student of Dtuum's brother who is an art teacher, showed us around the village answering many of my questions. The family was just completing an authentic lanaa style bamboo house on stilts. Every joint in this house was tied with bamboo or grasses - there were no pegs or nails. To see photos and descriptions view lanaa album here. 
We joined the workers in traditional laap NY dinner (raw minced beef and spices) with local whiskey steeped in herbs. It was poured from a large jug filled with sticks and stems - instead of snakes, like Jim's whiskey in Laos. 
Ganesha is the elephant-headed deity, Hindu god of success, known as the Lord of Beginnings and Lord of Obstacles, patron of arts and sciences, and the deva of intellect and wisdom.
We then visited a nearby Sa Paper and Umbrella making center which demonstrates the process including handpainting. Artists were painting delicate designs on what I would call parasols as well as painting colorful designs on your clothing. For photos and descriptions view painting here. (Soon)
