Multi-purpose area in front of Faculty of Fine Arts is never quiet, even in the early morning. In fact, no matter what time it is, our Faculty is never quiet. It could say it opens almost 24 hours to compete with convenience stores. Even if you walk in here at 2:00 a.m., you will see people sitting and sculpting clay, drawing pictures, making wire jewelry, practicing for performances. There were some people running or working out. They set up a group to play Ouija, play rubber band jump robes, braid hairs, burn incense sticks, scrape bark asking for lottery numbers, throw cast net to catch fish in the pond, burn charcoal, etc. Whatever you do not expect to see, you will see them here. We gather everything here in one place as a one stop service. There are strange activities to see at any time. Please come to watch at your own convenience.

*ผีถ้วยแก้ว Thai style Ouija
** Thai people revere the Takhian tree for the ability of the Lady Deva spirit within it to be able to reveal lottery numbers. The distinctive feature of this tree is the resin inside the wood. When someone scrapes its bark, the resin inside may bleed out and react with the air, causing dark traces. In addition, scratching sometimes accidentally creates numbers. This causes one to look at these traces with hope and create the imagination of numbers.

I left my house from dawn, carrying coconut banana rolls, traditional grilled pork, and shredded pork that friends had asked me to buy. Both my hands were full. Some days they underpaid me and some days I got some change. It's like playing Game Wat Duang. As for today, I got four baht change, which was considered a good omen.

*เกมวัดดวง Game Wat Duang (Game of Luck) is a game show was initially produced by GMM TV.

I let them enjoy their breakfast and possibly their only meal of the day. As for me, I quickly left to think about my own work because at 9am, I had to submit my homework of Sketch Class Drawing to Professor Na, also known as Professor Po, but the name that has stuck with everyone is Napoleon.

Professor Na is a very kind man and one of the famous artists in Thailand. He is a senior and is loved by students. Sometimes he is a drinking buddy who joins our drinking circle. He even played football with us. Maybe because the age difference is not much, we can understand each other well. If I remember correctly, he just celebrated his thirty-sixth birthday two months ago. It is the fact that most professors of Fine Arts are like this, preferring being friends with students rather than other professors. Sometimes they were close to the point of being Q's lottery customers.

As for the sketch, I still haven't finished thinking about it. To put it simply, it's like submitting a sample of homework. When you're done a class, the teacher will give you homework. Sometimes the topic is given to you, sometimes you are free to choose. Then they let us think about what we would do and then take that idea and share it with the professor about what format we would make, what technique will be used, why do you want to do it? Briefly describe the concept as if it were a compilation of ideas.

The teacher will give suggestions and advices in case there are somethings that we may not have thought of or overlooked, but we are not forced to take them. In the end, it was up to us to choose how to do it. It is a one-on-one conversation for ten to fifteen minutes. While I was talking with our teacher, other friends who had finished talking or had not yet reached their turn did their own work. Some of them were sleeping, some were cooking instant noodles in the back of the room. Of course, our Professor didn't say anything. Just now, Q just came to ask him for money to buy chicken eggs to add to Mama (instant noodles).

"As far as I can see, it's interesting, but I still doesn't quite understand the concept." Professor Napoleon said with a smile, circling the pencil on a blank paper until it formed several overlapping circles. Then he continued, "I think that if I saw the work during the presentation, I would get a clearer picture. I noticed that Peem often worked with rivers and canals, even the work that have given topics, you still use water as an element. Do you have a reason or you're just interested in water?"

I paused a little to think of an answer, pulling my mind back from the scent of instant noodles that spread throughout the room. Professor Napoleon shouted to Q that he would like to taste it too. "Well... maybe interested. I can't tell. I like the feeling when I look at a river flowing slowly. Watching it makes me feel at ease. Sometimes if you stare at it for a long time, it will seem like you are floating along with the water. So I wondered how it worked with emotions, why just looking at the flow of water made me feel at ease? So I like it."

"Is your house next to a river?"

"Yes, it is very strange, Professor. I was born in Bangkok. But I don't feel like I'm a Bangkoker at all. I moved along with my father. And it's very strange that the house where my father went to stay was completely flooded. My Grandma's house in Nonthaburi is next to a canal. The police house in Sakon Nakhon is beside a reservoir, and so is my mother's house in Chiang Mai near a river."

"Ah haha, get it, but it's really strange. Peem said that you're comfortable being near the water, right? But the drawing this time was dark and sad. The previous one that was a given specific topic, Peem also worked on water and flood, a tsunami that flooding Nam Ko village, Phetchabun District."

[T/N: Professor, that Tsunami has a name "PHUM"]

I paused again, my heart fluttered for a moment, then I smiled at him. Seeing that I had no intention of saying anything further on this matter, he changed the subject. "Are you intending to go on to further study in painting? I saw you do a lot of paintings."

"Well, if my score is good enough, I'd like to. I like painting." I replied, laughing sheepishly. Painting is a highly competitive major, not only competing with your friends, but also competing with yourself. We would know at the end of next semester if I can prove my worth.

"Professor, do you think my works are too simple?"

"Hmmmm! Too simple? It's difficult to answer. We have to look at what criteria are used to classify the word 'simple'. What makes you think like that ?"

"Well, I feel like my own works lack of depth. They look too straightforward. When I see my friends' works, for example, Q's, they look sophisticated. How can I explain it to you? They look classy... look valuable."

"The artwork that is difficult to understand is the one that is classy and valuable? If so all the drawings of mine are very low-class." Professor Napoleon said jokingly.

[T/N: Professor Na, my high school Vietnamese teacher shares Peem's view. He said: "A book that is difficult to understand is a brilliant book. A book that you take a lot of time trying to read but still couldn't understand is a masterpiece."]

"Oh Professorrrrr!!! It's not thattt!!! Your artworks are the best. If you put them in gold frames, I'll rent them to worship. You're my idol. Really!"

Professor Napoleon laughed so hard that Joe, who was curling up near the table's legs, was startled. "Uh, that's interesting. It might be another way to earn money." The laugh gradually faded, but the kind smile still remained on his face. He continued, "I like Peem's artworks. Watching them makes me feel comfortable. Peem wants people who watch them to feel comfortable, don't you?"

"Well, yes, I'm not a deep thinker." I smiled dryly, honestly admitting my shortcomings.

"Then it seems that the works that will come out is in line with the intended purpose. These two guys are strange. Can't believe that they are really close friends. Anything that I'll tell you, listen but don't tell him. Or he won't let me play football with you." Professor Na looked up at Q in the back of the room and then leaned over and whispered softly to me. I quickly nodded in agreement. Professor Na continued speaking with a smile, "When submitting the last sketch, Q complained that if his drawings are too sophisticated or not? Are they too difficult to understand? He's afraid people won't understand. He likes Peem's drawings. They're bright and comfortable."

"Really? Professor, he really does say that? You didn't trick on me, right? Usually he disparages my works like pig like dog." I asked, couldn't believe my ears, but Professor Napoleon laughed loudly again as usual.

*เหมือนหมูเหมือนหมา like pig like dog, harshly insult

"Yes, he really said that. Well, as they say, each flesh like different medicine*. Or, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. I understand that it's hard to stop comparing yourself to others, especially in this day everyone wants to be accepted, and especially when it comes to art. In the past, I use to be like you. Now I still feel like that sometimes." Professor Na said in a good mood. "But I want to ask Peem what is not good about the simplicity?"

* ลางเนื้อชอบลางยา = to each his own

I just sat still, smiling sheepishly, trying to think of what the teacher said. Well, it's true. My works are simple, then what's wrong?

"See? Simple doesn't necessarily mean it's not good. Making art is more about finding yourself than finding what is good and what is bad. Good or bad, it depends on personal perspective. The purpose of studying art is to find our own passion. It is to keep experimenting, to keep discovering what we like, who we are, how we see the world. It's like finding an identity, an unique identity. Peem may or may not be aware of it, may or may not be intented. But every piece of artwork will always have a piece of you in it, more or less, right? Don't just focus on the people watching the artworks. It's better to question from your own doubts first, then answer them yourself. Whether the audience will get it or not, it's not important to me. I think like this. Anyway, just try it!"

"Yes, thank you very much, Professor."

[T/N: Professor Na, I'll take your advice "Whether the readers understand my translation or not, it's not important to me." Oh I feel so much better.]

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TBC >>>>>>>>>

ข้าวเม่าทอด Khao Mao Tot (Crispy coconut banana rolls)

หมูฝอย shredded pork