Meet Arthaya Nootecharas | Bike Painter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Arthaya Nootecharas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Arthaya, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My work life balance has changed a lot over the past two years. I tend to over take on things and overworked myself; a lot of my close friends have told me so. Though in the past year or so with the job that I have, I really enjoy it and it doesn’t feel like work. When I get some free time though I still go on my run. Really my life involves painting and working on bicycles, running, climbing, biking, cooking when I can, making some types of art, and training my dog. It feels like my work/life is a combination of work and life blending into one rather than separated; which I do not see it as a bad thing at the time being.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a full time bike painter/frame worker. I got into bike painting over a year ago and have been working and refining skills through great mentors and time practicing. It definitely wasn’t a walk on a cake, but with time practicing and their trust in me, I am able to get to the point where I am at today. There were a lot of time spent on practicing, keep doing it over and over, and a lot of messed ups and fixings. I recently got an opportunity to design and paint a bike for Chris King, a bicycle components company, open house for their color releasing in the Fall; which I am very stoked on and happy for the opportunity. Justin Balog, an amazing filmmaker, has been so kind in working with me to make a short video throughout the process, which he was very fun to work with and super supportive and encouraging in what I do, including outside of work; running/plant based fuel talk/animals.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I always find the best time when I am out in the desert camping, trail running, climbing, backpacking. With the hours I put in to work and with the current global pandemic, it has been a bit harder for me to venture out to Utah and New Mexico like I normally do. But if things were more possible, I definitely would take them camping, doesn’t really matter where, wherever my desire takes me; most likely some national parks or national forest. Camping is always the number one on my list, only if they enjoy it too of course. I love taking all my friends that are visiting to my favorite vegan spots in Denver area, City O’ City, Water Course, and Beet Box. For Boulder area I usually take them to Kathmandu(Nepalese restaurant), in the summer, usually I’ll take them to get Sister’s Pantry’s Dumplings at a farmers market, local ice cream shop. A lot of trail/dirt running and a lot of eating, checking out any interesting geological areas, that would be my descriptions of what the itinerary might look like.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Definitely a shout out to a group of my close friends from afar that have always been there for me, communicating and helping me through any stress or struggle I have. My work family, Mosaic cycles and Spectrum paint and powder works are my core here in Boulder Colorado. We are a small batch and family own company, everyone there feels like my family. They have been there for me through ups and downs and always help me reach my full potential in most things I do.

Instagram: @acnoot , @acnootstudio
Other: @mosaiccycles , @spectrumpaintandpowderworks

Image Credits
Justin Balog Arthaya Nootecharas