whimsical decor

This elegant Siamese feline has found a new way of channeling its distinguished energy. As a fan of yoga and cats, Thai artisan Patarawan creates a whimsical but glorious raintree wood sculpture depicting this kitty in one of its first yoga sessions, meditating to find inner peace. The piece is hand-painted in white and black hues and features a polished finish for a lustrous look.

"I want to show an elephant's happy feelings," says Thai artist, Amporn. Transforming teak wood into a lifelike pachyderm, she creates a statuette of whimsical charm. The upraised trunk sends a greeting and the rotund creature seems to laugh out loud. Its tusks are carved from ivory darabela wood.

"I want to show an elephant's happy feelings," says Thai artist, Amporn. She presents a teak wood image of a lifelike pachyderm with whimsical charm. The tusks are carved from ivory darabela wood.

Leaning on a log, a whimsical elephant contemplates his role in Thailand's timber industry. Nantana Sompamitre crafts a charming pencil holder in gilded black lacquer. She carves rain tree wood into the desired shape and coats it with lacquer. Once dried it is polished, and another coat is applied – up to twenty times – before as many six coats of pure lacquer are present. The final layer is polished with powdered fired clay. The piece is gilded with a technique called lai rot nam. Sompamitre engraves the motif free-hand with a sharp tool, and the piece is dusted with a wooden powder. Then the background is covered with a gummy paint, and dusted again. A thin coat of lacquer is applied to the entire surface and, before it dries, gold leaves are placed over it and firmly pressed into place. Brass rings protect the openings.

Leaning on a log, a flirty elephant boasts colorful floral attire. Nantana Sompamitre crafts a whimsical pencil holder. She carves rain tree wood into the desired shape and coats it with lacquer. Once dried it is polished, and another coat is applied – up to twenty times – before as many six coats of pure lacquer are present. The final layer is polished with powdered fired clay. The piece is painted by hand, and brass rings protect the openings.