Deja Wongpanich is my Father-in-Law and I think he's a good artist.

I often buy his pictures, which makes him very happy indeed, as any artist is chuffed when they can sell something !

(His day job is a taxi driver. Not a very rich one, he has to hire his taxi for THB 600 per day.)

I'd like to present some of his work to you.

This first one was commissioned by Blake 7, a Thai Visa member. Its a tryptych of a Thai river scene.

(All the fee goes to Dad, I don't take any commission out!)

This will be framed in three separate pieces. Price came in at less than half it would cost to buy something similar at Chattuchak (which is significantly cheaper than buying in town). Its about 4 feet long x 2 feet high

This is an oil painting of the limestone pinnacles of Krabi that hangs in our hall.

If, for example, you had a photo of your tropical garden/plantation, he could turn it into an oil painting.

I commissioned this one after a trip to Angkor Wat. Its a Bayon head.

I wanted it done in a very specific way, on four canvases, with the edges of the frames not aligned to the blocks comprising the sculpted head.

This is what he came up with, its now in our living room.....

Very talented - how long on average does it take your father-in-law to complete one? How much does he charge for a standard painting?

To be honest , Moog, I thought you were joking about your FIL

He has a definite talent , I love the one of Krabi.

Unbelievable a guy with a talent like that is driving a taxi round all day, you'd never guess it. Great stuff.

He's bloody good mate!

how long on average does it take your father-in-law to complete one? How much does he charge for a standard painting?

About 10,000 baht - size 3 ft x 2 1/2 ft for an oil painting, (stretched - but no gilt frame!)

Takes him say 2 weeks. Payment only on approval of the final finished work.

He's really best at landscapes and still lifes and Buddhist mystical iconography, He's not a portraitist.

What I like is getting him to do something specific - something personal, perhaps a view from one of my photographs or some antique item. If anyone has a photo, e mail it to me, and i'll ask him if he can create something nice from it, then let you know.

Thanks all for your kind comments. I'll pass them on. He's very shy, but he'll be terribly flattered.

I commissioned this one after a trip to Angkor Wat. Its a Bayon head.

I wanted it done in a very specific way, on four canvases, with the edges of the frames not aligned to the blocks comprising the sculpted head.

This is what he came up with, its now in our living room.....

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Holly shit, I am almost bought one like this the other day. I was desperate to get it but the stupid lady wouldn't bargain. I think I might order one from you

I feel ashamed about my quip.

He is very good.

Ok is that painted on wood or paper ?

They look "Quality" mate. I'll have to try and dig a photo out from the Mrs village or i'll take another one when i go back at xmas.

Wood, paper or canvas.

The river scene is on paper.

He is quite good Moogy and I'm glad you started this thread. I was going to ask you more earlier when you mentioned his work in another thread but I got waylaid.

10,000 baht is a bit on the pang side though for that size of painting, compared with some of the copy shop artists I've bought from in Pattaya.

Or maybe I've just been lucky with my (and my missus') negotiating.

Just an observation...

Moog - perhaps setting up a business on the web.? I'm quite sure he would make a mint.

He is quite good Moogy and I'm glad you started this thread.  I was going to ask you more earlier when you mentioned his work in another thread but I got waylaid.

10,000 baht is a bit on the pang side though for that size of painting, compared with some of the copy shop artists I've bought from in Pattaya. 

Or maybe I've just been lucky with my (and my missus') negotiating.

Just an observation...

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I am not sure about the size but I have seen similar work in "expensive" gallery for about the same price. In the Amary they were about 10,000 but VERY negociable.

But I guess you also need to look at this as some kind of gratification for the artist, if he is good, he should be rewarded. Will need to take a closer look to see the quality of the work. But I love the style, exactly what I have been looking for.

Hey, Moog, bring them to Nana next time we meet

Moog - perhaps setting up a business on the web.? I'm quite sure he would make a mint.

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the cost of web development to setup a chop and advertise such a chop wouldn't be an advantage, costly. Best way is to do it through a closed circle.

Moog - perhaps setting up a business on the web.? I'm quite sure he would make a mint.

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the cost of web development to setup a chop and advertise such a chop wouldn't be an advantage, costly. Best way is to do it through a closed circle.

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Ebay Store! However I might be getting ahead of myself - just think Moog's father-in-law could do quite well for himself.

10,000 baht is a bit on the pang side though for that size of painting, compared with some of the copy shop artists I've bought from in Pattaya.

Gosh, well what can I say to that ! Jai Dee enters the Gallery and snorts 'pang more than Pattaya!' over his glass of white wine and canape!!

Perhaps it depends on the level of detail. The riverbank penwork he must have done with a magnifying glass, ditto for Krabi, maybe my digi camera doesn't show the detail.

They are one-offs i've given him to do. He's not churning out this stuff day-in, day out.

If I wanted a Rauschenberg or Jasper Johns style, then i'd go to a Patong gallery too (or for Jasper Johns, splatter it myself!) . Some of their Dalis are nice and intricate too. Good pictures, and the artists are so exploited by the gallery owners, who pocket a lot of the revenue.

He wouldn't seek to rip anyone off or charge more than the shop down the road. He's not going to quibble if someone wanted to pay him a bit less. Its not his style, anyway, its not a business for him. I've never bought art on the basis of price, whilst recognising though, ha ha, that it is an important factor !

Certainly a talent. An ebay store linked to a site that did comissions of paintings from photos would more than likely earn him considerably more than driving taxis.

one of my hobbies is painting ..(ok just beginner)

dont laugh at me ..

"chinese lion"

Moog, they *are* quite nice. Was your father-in-law a "Thai art major" (as opposed to a general studies art major- most unis here have the 2 in separate departments)? They seem to do most of the religious-themed art in Thailand. Or is he a genuine "naive" painter (never been formally trained?

"Steven"

Wow, Moog, I am impressed. Setting up an ebay shop isn't super easy but it isn't that hard either. What might be a better option, if he is interested, is online advertising with TV, bahtandsold and a few of the the papers classifieds online (phuket gazette for example). What you could do is set up a website with samples of his work and contact details and then post the link. Use a free site to start with so all it takes is your expertise.

They are beautiful

He's really best at landscapes and still lifes and Buddhist mystical iconography, He's not a portraitist.

Are you sure about that? This portion lifted out from his Krabi painting looks a LOT like a portrait of the face in your old avatar... at least in my eyes....

btw.... I, too, like his work..

Hmm, yes, hidden imagery abounds.

He is self-taught. never had a lesson in his life.

Well hopefully Butterfly will take a couple of Buddhas, has requested, and will get a special 'Bedlam' discount.

You know, Father in law is one of these 'up to you' types when it comes to money. Which in some ways is good, (in other ways a bit tortuous), but bear him in mind if you want the view from your verandah immortalized. Its risk free as its only payable on satisfaction.

I hope I can help him make enough to buy a second hand taxi (...well its better than a water buffalo). He can paint the Thai Visa crest on the door.

Thats some pretty nifty handiwork moog.

They are so intricate in detail, he has quite a talent.

Moog I will send you a photo or two soon.

Of course the Bedlam Discount would be much appreciated.......

An ebay store would be an idea, but I wonder if perhaps you could have a link from this website to a basic few web pages showcasing the work. Bound to get a lot of traffic and no doubt some sales. Something to ask George about, bit of comission his way and all that?

An ebay store would be an idea, but I wonder if perhaps you could have a link from this website to a basic few web pages showcasing the work.  Bound to get a lot of traffic and no doubt some sales.  Something to ask George about, bit of comission his way and all that?

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The eBay store is a stupid idea IMO. There is a monthly maintenance fee, something like $75, and they make their usual outrageous commissions. And you need to feed your store with new pics and samples all the time. A pain, more if you aren't computer literate

Internet is not always the best place to make a sale.

I will need to see those closer. Moog, I will need a gallery tour