ArtByElla

Alaka Sarangdhar

I am a self taught artist, I started drawing with oil paints during a summer vacation from college, After college, I got busy with life, becoming a software engineer/data Engineer /data scientist, doing high tech jobs, raising family, and I hardly got time to paint. I did some small paintings once in a while but when I retired in 2019 I started to travel more. On these trips, I would n't just whirl thru cities and well known places but I used the time at hand to smell the roses at every place. That is when I noticed mosaic art in Europe.

Mosaic art combines timeless beauty and masterful artistry with sustainability and strength. it is an amalgam of all of those things and many more, which makes it one of the most important artistic expressions in the history of mankind. Mosaics are nicknamed ´the eternal pictures´ because of their durability. The world's oldest mosaic was discovered in Yozgat, Turkey. It is thought to be more than 3500 years old. Greeks were also instrumental in developing mosaic art into complex patterns. The Roman Empire carried the art form from Greece across the whole of Europe, where it found its way onto walls, ceilings and walkways, depicting everything from simple patterns to stories of daily life and heroic myths. In each country in Europe, you are certain to see old and some modern mosaic designs. Now that I have noticed them, I see them in southern California as well. It has become my hobby to take photos of these art pieces whenever I see them,

Mosaic designs are a wonderful way of mathematical art. I am a math major, so no wonder, I loved it. In 2019, I started creating simple articles like coasters, and trivets. I enjoyed the process of creating designs using simple tiles. I ventured into making beautiful bird series.with smaller glass tiles and they looked marvelous , My friends encouraged me, I sold some pieces and donated the profit to National Parks.

When I made coasters, I thought that it would be an excellent way to teach kids how to plan, design, prototype and then execute on the plan using mosaic coaster creation as a medium. I have conducted classes for kids ages 7+ and they have created such marvelous designs using my process. I am very proud of the process I have devised, which eliminates cutting and all the risks of making mosaic articles and gives kids the training to plan, create and execute and enjoy the process within 2 hours, Feel free to check out their creations under the classes -> kids tab

I have also taught adults. I must say it was more challenging and demanding, a 3 hr. serious work, which most of them did in 2 parts. Check their creations at the classes -> adults tab. Some of these adults thought they had no artistic bone in them but they all managed to create some beautiful art that they will cherish for a long time.

I have taught seniors 80+. Their enthusiasm, will to make and complete their own design was admirable. It is an honor to be able to spend time with these seniors. Check their creations at the classes -> seniors tab

I have also revived my oil painting skills. Drawing a portrait is a good way to celebrate somebody's life, in my opinion. Check the portrait tab.

With the help of a grant from the city of Beaverton, I have taught 5th graders in Beaverton school Districts Title1 schools how to make coasters and given them an overview of mosaics.