Life imitates art through the brushstroke of ML Chiratorn Chirapravati. Also widely known as Ajarn To, ML Chirathorn has been a familiar face in Thailand’s social scene for almost 30 years. An illustrator, fashion designer, fashion stylist, art instructor and food expert, his exuberant persona and artistic talents have even created a modest fan base. Currently, his works can be seen regularly in Ploy Gam Pech, Seventeen, and Praew.

Due to the time constraints of the magazine business, the luxury of working at my own pace is just barely feasible. Regardless, I don’t compromise my standards for anything. I don’t generally take much time to complete each illustration.

I have been doing this for almost 30 years, and there is no sign of slowing down.

I don’t think of what I do as work. I simply look at it as a way to relax and reward myself by doing what I love.

I never run out of ideas. It is somewhat like what you would typically do on an everyday basis—eating, sleeping, drinking...There are no glitches. I just start it off with a blank piece of paper, and take it to another level.

I consider myself to be fortunate to have discovered my potential at an early age. I was aware of my strengths and weaknesses early on, which helped me carve out what Chirathorn is all about today.

To my surprise, my skills and knowledge today are a translation of my childhood pastimes. My childhood was filled with activities, from drafting cartoon characters out of newspapers to playing with paper dolls to flipping through international fashion magazines. Those activities are what I can relate to today as an illustrator, fashion stylist and fashion designer.

Knowledge of my limits didn’t surface until my adulthood.

Constant exposure of my artwork has created a vast amount of publicity, which has led to other opportunities, particularly for good causes. My involvement with business organizations—UNICEF, Tops Supermarket, and McDonald’s just to name a few—has generated large contributions to charity organizations.

It might surprise you that I have no knowledge of computers. However, I manage to teach Graphics for Advertising at Chulalongkorn University by appropriately utilizing my eyes for art. My criticism and input is more important to the students than my computer skills.

I am drawn to the fact that my lack of computer skills has separated me from the majority. Isn’t that strange? Sometimes, it is all about opposites attracting. People seemingly admire what they can’t do.

Life is short. I’d rather choose to do what I can do best.

I can see the association people make between Martha Stewart and me. She, however, is commercially and financially oriented, while I head for the total opposite direction.

I like to do things that feed positive energy like being a teacher.

I am a social person. I am stimulated by conversation and interaction with people. It gives me energy.

Certainty is uncertain. That is a fact of life.

I am a highly contradictory person. The work that I do displays a variety of color, however, I prefer basic colors like gray, black, beige and white.

Design doesn’t have to be overly accessorized with unnecessary items. Muji and Gap are my favorite brands. I am a fan of Calvin Klein’s minimalism.

You are the one most accountable when it comes to finding your own style. Decisiveness is also equivalently important.

My philosophy is to believe in myself.

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