Phuket resident Craig Paterson has been spending the last 10 years honing his artistic skills to perfection. His growing portfolio of portraits capture the mood and spirit of islanders, piercing images which now adorn the walls of many homes in Phuket and around the world
By: Mia James
Growing up in southern England, Craig knew what he wanted to do with his life long before leaving school. With art as his favourite subject, he became fascinated with a particular specialist application of art: interior design. Turning a seemingly dull internal space into something unique, and artistic, excited him.
This career beacon took him first to Canterbury Art College, and then onto Brighton, not far from home, to the town’s university, where he studied for a degree in ‘Interior Architecture’. Such was his passion for the subject he ended up securing the ‘Young Designer of the Year Award’.
Next came the post-student challenge of finding a ‘proper job’, and Asia loomed early on his career path as he secured an exciting opportunity with Davenport Campbell, an international design company based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Bubbling with ideas and inspiration from his time in the Far East, Craig was ready to return home to London. With his design philosophy shaped by Asia, and a deeper understanding of spatial dynamics to create evocative interior spaces Craig found himself very much in demand.
His experience in London gave him the opportunity to refine his skills further, focusing on residential and commercial projects in and around the city. Craig’s passion for transforming spaces led him to start his own company, Simply Space, which provided design solutions tailored to clients’ needs. The company’s success was built on Craig’s ability to blend functionality with beauty, creating rooms that were both practical and inspiring.
As his career, and reputation progressed, Craig’s relationship with art deepened, and he realised the critical role that it plays in interior design, the icing on the cake if you like. This realisation prompted him to explore art on a more personal level, integrating it into his work and also pursuing his own artistic practice.
Craig’s career took another exciting turn when he relocated here, to Phuket, to work for a furniture company. The move to Thailand further enriched his design vision, as he continued to soak up the region’s artistic and cultural influences.
It was in Phuket that Craig founded Drift Interiors, a company that focuses on high-end, bespoke interior design. The company has gained recognition for its innovative approach to creating functional yet beautiful spaces. Craig’s commitment to the integration of art and design continued to grow, leading him to hold his first solo art exhibition at PRU, a Michelin-starred restaurant located within the luxurious Trisara resort in northwest Phuket.
In addition to many local commissions, Craig’s art has a global presence, with customers spanning countries such as the USA, Singapore, Canada, and India. His work is sought after not only for its aesthetic appeal but also for its ability to transform homes and elevate the experience of those who interact inside them.
Craig, working under his most recent company Artis Asia is available for commissions, consultancy, and artwork sales, inviting clients to collaborate with him on projects that merge the worlds of design and art.
Craig on living in Phuket…
…my go-to restaurant on Phuket: Chaiyo Seafood (Thai ) flavour – Phuket Town
…the food I miss the most from the UK: home cooked Sunday roast dinners
…the craziest thing about living in Thailand: has to be moped driving discipline
…beer, ice or no ice: no ice
…phad thai or phad grapao: phad grapao – with pork
…my best beach on Phuket: Ao-yon in the southeast
…the best gift from Phuket to take home: a jar of ‘prik num-pla’ (spicy Thai condiment)
…what to do with a half-day gap in my schedule: definitely golf or a swim
…which small island do I escape to from Phuket: Kho Yao Noi
…one word which describes living in Phuket as an expatriate: Fulfilling
CONTACT CRAIG PATERSON
