Cool gray skies with soft shading, an infinite depth, and intricate textures obscure the time of day—a message that the teachings of Buddha are available whenever they are needed. They float above and beyond a crowd of women colored in warm reds and golds, draped in finely detailed traditional attire and playing traditional instruments. The water below them reflects their future, capturing them at an advanced age and emphasizing the inevitability of death and change. These are the paintings of Surathin Tatana, a Chiang Mai artist who has been painting traditional Thai art for over 30 years now.

Tatana has a strong belief in Buddhism and its teachings, which emphasize avoiding bad deeds and achieving mental clarity. He sees traditional Thai art and the beauty it’s capable of as a way to inspire faith. His work revolves around the concepts of arising, existing, and passing away; the doctrine of living life without carelessness; and the fact that life is constantly changing.

Tatana has been captivated by the traditions, cultures, and ceremonies that surrounded him his whole life and he started absorbing them at a young age. But he’s gone deep into the origins of Thai art, exploring its influences from India, China, and Burma. Those styles, techniques, and ideas were absorbed into Thai culture in different ways in different regions. He says that the North, where he’s from, is known for its artistic freedom and avoids strict guidelines; while Central Thai paintings, including Bangkok, are characterized by a systematic and detailed approach, originating from the royal courts; and that Northeastern Thai paintings stand out for their lively, bright, and straightforward style. He fuses all of these influences into his own work in new and different ways.