Humans logo

Taught to Paint Without Words

Breaking Through a Language Barrier

By Tucker BarsketisPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
Like
Recent work done with liquid acrylics and oil paint.

The year was 2014, the Thai government was being overthrown by a military coup, and I had just given up a full ride scholarship at the University of Utah in Marketing. Here I was, a previous frat star growing up from an affluent City in Utah called Park City (home of Sundance).

I lay on my back listening to a squeaky fan desperately trying to keep me cool in the scorching Bangkok 1 bedroom apartment. My small scholarship money had run try and I was teaching English to a private student for around $3 a session to make rent.

I had never painted before, but have always drew little doodles on my math homework through my youth. My twin brother was an incredible painter with numerous awards but I never picked up a brush. I was miserable, lost, and reading a book every day to keep my mind at bay with the loneliness of being 10,000 miles from home. I herd my University had an art department and decided to check out the painting division of it.

I walked into a cramped room filled with stacks of unfinished paintings and books. A overweight Thai man greeted me upon interest. I tried my best in absolute terrible written and spoken Thai to tell him I wanted to paint. He pulled out a chair, pulled out a previously painted over canvas, and turned a radio blaring American music and proceeded to grunt commands at me.

My first task was to try and copy the front of a magazine article he handed me. It was a local temple. I looked at him with a blank stare and he proceeded to pour out black and white acrylic paint. He mixed them together making grey and that day I discovered tints and shades in painting.

Three days later I arrived again. This time he pulled out colors told me to start painting again from the image, this time with no instruction. I layered the color on top and viola my painting had a new life.

He handed me a new canvas, some paints, and a brush and sent me on my way.

I did the line work at home, and now he allowed me to paint alone in his office without me. Three weeks passed with little to no instruction from him.

My time was almost over in my study abroad program, and I tearfully handed over a gorgeous painting I did for him of the grand palace in Bangkok. He hugged me and even though he couldn't speak a word of English his eyes expressed an inner peace and fire knowing that his love for painting had been shared to me, the technique breaking through cultures and language barriers.

2018, I'm still painting have recently spent 8 months studying from locals down in San Miguel, Mexico. I learned oil painting on my own occurs through experimentation. Last week I returned from a month in Thailand helping my brother expand my father's insurance business. The painter's office was empty but left behind was his straw hat. I happily brought that hat back to Salt Lake City, and here I am writing this story about to walk into a Sundance film starring Margret Robbie.

Break language barriers, feel the connection between humanity, live, and learn every single day with open arms and an open heart.

humanity
Like

About the Creator

Reader insights

Be the first to share your insights about this piece.

How does it work?

Add your insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment

    Find us on social media

    Miscellaneous links

    • Explore
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    • Support

    © 2024 Creatd, Inc. All Rights Reserved.