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Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Maurice and the McKean Hospital & Leper Colony Chiang Mai


Above: A quick tour of The McKean Hospital via scooter.

Chiang Mai was always a special place to Maurice. In 1908, Maurice's uncle, missionary Dr. James McKean, and Pauliang (Guardian Father) Chantah Indravude set up a leper colony after asking the King of Thailand for a parcel of land. The McKean Hospital still exists there today. Gifts from Dr. McKean, such as Thai and Indonesian batiks, made a huge impression on young Maurice, who in turn created his own batiks at home. For the rest of his life he would foster a love of Asian arts and crafts. Maurice's uncle had such a strong influence that for a time Maurice considered becoming a missionary. In later life Maurice had serious plans to build an animation studio in Thailand. Our first project was to be "The Pumpkin of Nyefar," but Maurice passed on before we could start production. 


The Noble Approach first five day workshop 2012
To see a list of artists that attended, please visit HERE

Originally "The Noble Approach" was to be published in the spring of 2012. To celebrate we arranged a five day workshop in Chiang Mai based on a few of Maurice's basic teachings. Because of circumstances beyond our control the book wasn't published until late 2013. Now that the book is out we are planning more "Noble Approach" workshops in the very near future.


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