[Last edited October, 2016]
I was born in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, where I grew up drawing, devouring books, imbibing animated films and playing out stories. I have lived longer in London now than in Chiang Mai, but I still haven’t stopped doing those things; except that the playing out of stories is more confined to images on paper. I may have been sorely tempted once to audition for the chorus of an amateur Gilbert and Sullivan production, but the thought was quickly extinguished by the horror of having to perform publicly.
My work is fed by my lifelong love of literature, folklore, history, the arts, and the natural world. Like everyone else, every new artist I discover inspires and depresses me afresh in equal measure, though my strongest influences (in other words, those from whom I purloin most) are the ‘Golden Age’ illustrators, Chinese painting, Japanese prints, and Persian miniatures.
In late 2009/early 2010, six of my illustrations for the Folio Society’s 150th anniversary edition of Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám were exhibited in the Folio Society Gallery at the British Library. I was also awarded the Bronze prize in the Books category of the Association of Illustrators Images awards in 2010. I daresay they must have lacked a deal of choice in both cases.
My (cumbersome) formal name is Niroot Puttapipat, but I prefer ‘Natee’ (นัทที/นที), which was in fact the very first name my parents gave me before a change was voted upon by family elders. It’s complicated. Or I’m also happy with my Thai (more specifically, Lanna) nickname, ‘Peng’ (เป้ง).
‘Himmapaan’ is the name of a forest in Thai mythology, itself derived from its Hindu origin of Himavanta. I chose it as my handle upon first entering the murky world of the internet. It suited me and it stuck, and so I kept it for this blog, too.
One last — and rather important — thing. I am gender dysphoric, and whilst I identify more as female, I have chosen to be reconciled (for want of a better description) with a non-binary gender identity. Avoidance of male pronouns, titles, and honorifics in favour of my preferred name(s) or the singular ‘they’ will be met with an eternity of gratitude by yours, truly. 🙂
P. S. I’m much too fond of parentheses. As you see.
Himmapaan 
Your work is simply amazing! So inspiring, will be following! 🙂
Dear Niroot
My daughter and I really enjoyed meeting you this evening. Thank you for sharing your beautiful illustrations with us.
Best wishes
Anne and Jo.
Dear Anne and Jo,
Thank you so much to you both! It was so lovely to meet you! I hope there may another such opportunity in future.
Very best wishes,
Niroot
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I have your fairy book on order. It comes next week. So excited!!
Hello Himmapaan,
The genre should not be a problem, whether one is male, female or both, or white, black, yellow, red, green, small, fat, mustache, swimsuit, or Inuit clothing … It takes everything to make a world, and I, the world, I do not see it without you, because your creations embellish the everyday, and people like you would need more!
Signed a French illustrator who admires your work 🙂
Dear Niroot
My wife and I are the co-Presidents of The Arthur Rackham Society. One of our members brought your work to our attention. I see a lot of Arthur Rackham in your work; were you influenced by him? Your silhouettes and Jane Austin illustrations remind us so very much of Rackham’s earlier work.
We love your illustrations. Might we impose on you to include one of them in the next issue of our Journal (Spring 2017) to share your work with our readers?
Kind regards
– Gary & Mary Ann Swinson
====================
Gary & Mary Ann Swinson, Co-Presidents
The Arthur Rackham Society
20705 Wood Avenue
Torrance, CA 90503-2755, USA
Home: +1 (310) 542-8091
Cell: +1 (310) 365-8040
email: The.AR.Society@gmail.com
Web: Arthur-Rackham-Society.org
====================
Dear Gary and Mary Ann,
Thank you so much for your kind message. As I mention in my profile above, I do indeed count Arthur Rackham and the other Golden Age greats among my strongest influences.
I would be very happy to have my work included in your journal and thank you for your request. Were there any particular ones you were interested in using, or might you be happy for me to choose some of my own personal favourites?
I would also like, if I may, to draw your attention to my preferred name and would be grateful if you could credit me either as simply ‘N Puttapipat’ or with a brief explanatory note similar to mine above if possible.
Thank you!
Kindest regards,
Natee
Dear Natee — Thank you very much for your kind reply.
We would be most happy to have you select images from your personal favorites (US vs UK!) for the note in our Journal; might at least one of your images be one that highlights the influence of Arthur? If you can provide images at 300 dpi with 5 inches in the longest dimension, that would be ideal. And, of course, we will pleased to credit your work to ‘N Puttapipat’.
Would you be so kind as to send your image files to us at the email address below?
Thank you, Natee!
Kind regards
====================
Gary & Mary Ann Swinson, Co-Presidents
The Arthur Rackham Society
20705 Wood Avenue
Torrance, CA 90503-2755, USA
Home: +1 (310) 542-8091
Cell: +1 (310) 365-8040
email: The.AR.Society@gmail.com
Web: Arthur-Rackham-Society.org
====================
Hi, Is this on your Redbubble? My friend would love it for her birthday!
Hello, Natee! I want to write to you about buying an artwork but cannot find an email address- can you contact me at thomas@centuryguild.net please? Your work is lovely!!! -Tom
ps- it’s the mermaid piece- you said to PM you if anyone was interested, but twitter won’t let me PM you! 😥
Dear Natee:
I’ve adored your work for years, through various offerings from The Folio Society—Lang’s Red Fairy Book, the Afanasyev Russian Myths & Legends and, treasured most of all, your breathtaking illustrations for Kipling’s Just So Stories.
It was a dark day when it dawned on me that you probably weren’t going to do the other three novels of Jane Austen—or so it seems, since it’s been 10 years since the previous volumes were released. Is there even the slimmest of chances that the project might be revived and completed?
With the very best wishes,
Renato Rodolfo-Sioson (sometimes known as ‘Nato!)
Hi Natee,
I am a publisher and also a writer (e.g., collection of original quatrains as well as a new translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam). I would like to discuss with you the possibility of hiring you for creating illustrations for my own work, as well as book covers and illustrations, for other writers..
If interested, kindly contact me at csdouglas@everlybooks.com
Thank you,
Christopher
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I so all your artwork they are so fabulous I like you Style, I wander if I can make one special for me and my salukis.
Fahad Al Farhan
Hello,
I absolutly love your art. I would like to use one of your images as my Microsoft Outlook photo. May I have permission for this? May I compensate you in some way?
Thank you!
Tiffany
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I recently moved to a small farm in Kentucky. The name of my farm is Foxbird Farm. Your image of the fox and bird is just wonderful and I was hoping I might be allowed to incorporate it into my farm sign. Of course with your permission and acknowledgement. I look forward to your reply and any stipulations connected with the use of this delightful image.
Thank you
Liz Torkelson
Your works are sublime, amazing and even more. Thanks you so much for sharing them. Hope you the very best, you deserve it so much (Nathalie from france)