The Beginning of Original Buddha Art – The Story Behind the Buddha Paintings
- Date: March 5, 2026
- By: Alex Brandt
My name is Alex Brandt, an entrepreneur from the Netherlands and the owner of several businesses. Traveling has always been a great passion of mine, and one of my favorite destinations is Thailand. Over the years I have had the opportunity to explore a large part of the country. The culture, the sense of calm, and the way Buddha is present in everyday life have always inspired me deeply.
Searching for Modern Buddha Art
For quite some time I had been searching for modern Buddha paintings for my own home and working environment. I came across many traditional Buddha artworks, but it was difficult to find paintings that felt both spiritual and contemporary — art that would also fit well in Western European homes and professional spaces.
A Chance Encounter in Thailand
In February 2026 I was in Chon Buri, a province south of Bangkok. While walking through a local art street, I happened to come across a small gallery. The gallery belonged to the Thai artist Seksak Jaichumchen. The artist himself was not present at the time, but I was given a business card. Unfortunately, I lost the card. The next day I walked through the street again, trying to find the gallery once more.
After some searching I found the gallery again and was finally able to meet Seksak Jaichumchen in person. I was immediately impressed by his talent. His hand-painted Buddha paintings combine powerful colors with a calm, spiritual presence. What stood out most to me was that his art, unlike much of the traditional Buddha art in Thailand, fits remarkably well in modern European interiors and business environments.
The First Buddha Paintings
I decided to order the first five Buddha paintings right away. The paintings were carefully rolled and packed in a tube so that I could take them with me back to the Netherlands.
The artist also provided wooden frames. After further research, however, it turned out that this wood was less suitable for Western European interiors. The untreated wood from Thailand can warp due to differences in climate. In addition, transport costs, import duties, and taxes make importing these frames relatively expensive.
This was a small setback, as it made the paintings more expensive than I had originally planned.
Payment and Export from Thailand
The payment process also turned out to be an interesting part of the adventure. Customs authorities may request proof of payment when importing goods. Therefore, it was important that the paintings were paid via bank transfer. According to the Rabobank website this could take two to five days, but surprisingly the money arrived in the artist’s account the very next day. After that, the paintings were carefully inspected again, signed, and provided with a unique number and title.
A Special Encounter on the Plane
During my flight back to the Netherlands something unexpected happened. By coincidence, a professional Dutch artist with his own art gallery in the Randstad was sitting next to me on the plane. Because the flight was long, we had plenty of time to talk about art, galleries, and the art market. His knowledge and experience helped me greatly in shaping my new idea: a business focused entirely on unique Buddha paintings from Thailand. That was essentially the moment when Original Buddha Art began to take shape.
The First Steps of Original Buddha Art
A friend who owns a photography shop and the artist I met on the plane were kind enough to help stretch the first paintings onto canvas frames.
For the next series of paintings, I started working with a professional frame maker in Leiden. Here the Buddha paintings are mounted on a solid canvas frame.
In addition, an optional black floating frame can be added, allowing the artwork to stand out even more beautifully in modern interiors.
Establishing the Company
I built the Original Buddha Art website myself within a few weeks. For international business activities, a private limited company (B.V.) is often a better structure than a sole proprietorship. Therefore, I established a B.V. through a notary. On March 3, 2026, Original Buddha Art B.V. was officially registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.
From that moment on, what started as a chance encounter in a small art street in Thailand had grown into a new company.
More Than Just Buddha Art
Original Buddha Art stands for more than decoration. Each painting is a unique hand-painted artwork (1/1) that brings calm, balance, and character to a space. By working directly with a local artist from Thailand, a genuine connection is created between Thai spirituality and modern European interiors.
And in many ways, it all began with one simple question:
Where can you find Buddha art that is both spiritual and modern?
"Sometimes a journey does not only take you to a new place, but also to a new beginning."
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