Phapfah Puttharugsa, a 20-year-old illustrator, met Brunch on a sunny morning with a box of spray paints and marker pens. Wearing shorts and a dustproof mask, the artist wrapped a bandana around her ash-dyed hair and prepared to start her graffiti.
She used part of the wall in a dilapidated and deserted building on Kaset-Nawamin Road as a canvas. "I want to paint me and my cat," she said while drawing a young woman embracing a big black animal. It is her second piece of graffiti, having first experimented along Charoen Krung Road. "I am learning spray painting techniques."
Her favourite subject is her cat, which features in many of her artworks. "It helps me get through the difficult times of my life," said Phapfah, better known as "Binko" in the social media world.
"I used to be depressed when I first left home and lived on my own. Then, I bought a cat and she helped me a lot. She is my best friend who helped me through the ups and downs."
Despite her youth, Phapfah's is a life less ordinary. She quit school at 16 and left home to pursue her dream of making a living from drawing. Those around her used to gossip that she had no future and would end up on the street.
"Even my parents did not think I would become this successful. But my mum told me recently that she is very proud of me," she said.
Today, she is recognised as a rising young artist with a signature style of drawing beautiful girls with big eyes. She earns substantial income from her illustrations and sponsorships, has a legion of 500,000 followers online and has been invited to speak to young people about their life goals at various functions.
TURNING POINT
The journey of the young artist was not paved with roses. Phapfah never attended art school, even though her grandparents and parents studied at Silpakorn University and most of them work in architecture or design.
She chose maths and science in high school. "Once I wanted to become a food scientist," she said.
She excelled academically. Phapfah finished Mathayom 3 at Samsen Wittayalai School with a grade-point average of 3.9. But when she moved to study at Assumption, a Catholic school, her Mathayom 4 score crashed to 0.2 as she faced personal upheaval.
"My parents broke up. My family business did not do well. Suddenly, we didn't have any money. It was the first time that my parents couldn't pay my tuition fee on time. I thought I should quit school.
"My mum strongly disapproved. But I wanted to spend time studying something I really wanted to learn. I had a plan for myself," said Phapfah, who is an only child.
"I don't drink, I don't smoke and I don't go out at night. That is the reason my parents let me do what I wanted. They just told me not to do bad things."
Phapfah attended a short drawing course at an art learning centre in Siam Square when she was in M4. But she stopped when her parents went broke.
After she quit school, Phapfah left home to stay with her grandparents. She studied drawing alone by researching artworks in the Thailand Creative and Design Centre library.
She has also learned from other artists and close examination of Japanese cartoons she likes to read.
One of them is an old Japanese cartoon series called The Rose of Versailles, first released in 1973, by manga artist Riyoko Ikeda. Ikeda's characters tend to have oversized eyes and beautiful, delicate hair.
Phapfah also studied the works of the painter Margaret Keane, whose life was featured in Tim Burton's 2014 film Big Eyes, starring Amy Adams.
"At some point, I realised I had to stop studying these artists because I would inevitably copy their styles," Phapfah said. "I wanted to create characters of my own."
Another influence came from close to home: the way her mother, an interior designer, coordinated colours for clients.
Her mother's influence can be seen in Phapfah's tendency to use earth tones in her work. "Earth tones are my mum's favourite colours," she said.
SOCIAL MEDIA SUCCESS
Phapfah began showcasing her works on social media, starting with her designs for iPhone cases which became noticed on Instagram.
"I bought cheap iPhone cases and started to paint them with pen and acrylic paint. I just wanted to see if the paint would stick. I shared my design in black and white with a group of some 10 friends.
"But after I posted on Instagram, some people asked if they could order them. People who like my merchandise began sharing my Instagram with others. The number of my social media followers multiplied by word of mouth."
Within a year, by the time she was 17, selling iPhone cases become a major source of income. She moved out of her grandparents' home and rented a condo on Sathon Road. "I had to ask my mother to sign the lease for me because I was still a minor at the time."
She began producing merchandise such as cloth bags and scarfs featuring her drawings, advertising them online.
While attending the short drawing class in Siam Square, one of her customers saw her works and hired her to draw for a tablet program and Tumblr. Since then, she has been hired to create several illustrations for products and advertisements.
Her drawing lines may look girly but her style connects with her young fans, who are among some 500,000 followers on her Instagram.
She said her proudest moment so far was being commissioned to create Line stickers of Palmy, Thai-Belgian pop sensation Eve Pancharoen.
"When I was approached to do Line stickers for Palmy, I was surprised but very happy. I am a big Palmy fan," said Phapfah.
Recently, she was invited to dress Wego toys at the Thailand Toy Expo in Japan. She designed costumes for the character Sudsakorn and his horse, from the classic Thai epic Phra Aphai Mani.
"I went to the TCDC every day to research the pattern of Thai fabrics. I imagined myself as Sudsakorn and my cat as the horse."
Although the organisers were initially reluctant to commission a female artist for the work, they are pleased with the outcome. "There are barriers against women artists. It is not because women artists are not capable -- in fact, I have seen many good women artists.
"But people tend to think that women might give up easily and are not tough enough. I am a stubborn person. I have to break the barrier."
Her goal for the future is to produce work in 3D. She is also interested in art toys and motion pictures. She plans to attend a short course in art overseas in the future. "I may take short art courses at a university overseas. I still have to learn new techniques to improve my work."
Phapfah did not say how much money she has earned in her short career so far, but revealed she has bought a house. "I had to have my mum sign on my behalf because I was still a minor when we applied for a home loan from the bank," she said.
It does not hurt that Phapfah is photogenic and stylish, which helps explain her popularity on Facebook and Instagram. "Followers are not only interested in my work, but also my lifestyle. Many have asked me about my views on living my life. Some young followers have asked if they should quit school to follow their dream too. Some parents also complained that I encouraged their children to leave school."
Some customers hire her because they expect to gain attention from her followers. However, Phapfah does not want to be known simply as a net idol.
"I was not flattered by being branded a net idol. I want to focus on my drawing and my work, something that will enable me to continue living after I get older."
TOO MUCH TOO YOUNG?
Phapfah said there were downsides to leaving school and home at a young age. "When I was down, I used to wonder whether I rushed into living on my own too early."
She does not have many friends in the same age, largely because their interests are different.
"While they are talking about boyfriends or new handbags, I am more interested in how to earn a living.
"People think I'm lucky but they don't know what I had to overcome before I became successful."
Once, when payment from a customer was late, she was left scraping together all the coins she could in order to buy food to eat. There were times she was so depressed she consulted a psychiatrist.
Today, Phapfah is happy with her life. She reunites with her parents at her grandparents' house every weekend.
"I do not recommend young people quit school. My case is different from others. I knew what I wanted. Of course, I was scared when I made the decision. But I knew myself well enough to know that I would be determined to follow through with what I wanted to do."
