India and Art

Kashmiri rugs can take 2-3 months to complete, all hand crafted, the first is Pashmina

This is silk

Fabric arts

Amazing architecture at a Mosque in delhi

Light shining through Jallies

The process of making a jaali

defaced Hindu gods re-used in the muslim site Qutb Minar

The Taj was based on this

Inlay at the Taj

Islamic calligraphy inlay

gorgeous architecture

Classical dance- performing arts Thekaddy I could have watched this all day long it is really amazing!

Handicraft umbrella

Gorgeous south Indian architecture

South Indian details

Onam Pookalam flower art the family even collected flowers so that I could make a pookalam with them!

We were having lunch waiting for the monsoon rains to stop...

The Munnar tea plantations were amazing!

Calligraphic carvings

More amazing Kerala traditional architechture:

 Cullinary Art, this veg meal was one of our favorites our family made in honor of our visit even though Onam was a month away.

Hand carved works at Aksherdam, unfortunately we were unable to bring cameras in the Hindu temple most likely in light of recent and ancient destruction of Hindu temples.

 Aksherdam is a new construction and we were told by our guide that most ancient Hindu temples such as Qutb Minar, have been destroyed by bombs and raids many Hindu temples have been torn down and pieces re-used to make Islamic Mosques.

The boat ride in Aksherdam was amazing it highlighted the History of: Science, Mathematics, Medicine, Engineering, etc in India. It is really mind blowing to comprehend how advanced the Indian civilization was in Ancient times. It seems people are more willing to give credit for amazing world feats to outer space aliens than just to accept the fact that people WERE in fact advanced in the ancient world. Of course we all understand that this view of the ancients comes from the theory of evolution.

Mosaic Table

This sumer I did mosaics for the first time. I LOVE doing mosaics, they are so much fun, more to come. But I do need to find a better grout, I am frustrated with the grout I used.

Fun with fabric pens

I can't wait to make pillowcases for Llama, Llama, Red Pajama day at school!!!

I just got the shipment of the Art/Spanish Class supplies and am making up some samples with fabric pens! What an addicting project. I had such a blast making these, I can't wait to wear my shirt that otherwise would have been ruined by Victor as he was "helping" me do wash. It was more like washing "for the cure." 

Private Art Lessons

I am starting private & semi-private Art lessons again. I will come to your church or local library.

I  teach drawing, previously I taught a lot of private lessons, I can teach private lessons or also can set up small groups if you are interested in a semi- private lesson or even an art night out, party etc...

In drawing lessons students learn  "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" concepts, sighting, shading, etc...



Private Acrylic Painting tutorial

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain still life



You can see some pages of the drawing lessons on my blog http://sodanicaart.blogspot.com/2010/04/drawing-shading-techniques.htmlPainting workshops are also available.


Pricing based on instruction (Students will need to provide suplies)
$60 per hour 1 student
$75 2 students per hour

2 hour 1 student $75
2 hours 2 students $120

Add additional students for $10 per hour per student.



If you are interested in lessons this summer  contact me! See more of my student's pieces below:

Watercolor tutorial

Acrylic 8 week workshop 

Classical Drawing tutorial still life

Fabric sketches

Posture and drawing

Student drawing from life tutorial

Mosaic Experiment

I have been dying to try mosaics and today I started my first mosaic project I thought I would complete it over the course of a few days but once I started I literally could not stop, it is addicting!! Although this table looks small it can actually seat 4-5. I can't wait until it is grouted tomorrow can't wait to see the final piece!

Goodbye tribute

I was asked to paint this mural as a tribute to our principal who was leaving the school, we wanted a visual for her to remember us. This was the least I could do as the principal really was such a wonderful person and I think that the quote really sums up her wonderful spirit.

New Position

I recently finished out the year and am going to be entering a new year at a new school. I will still teach Art and Spanish K3-5th. I am glad that the school is less than a mile from home and I have previously substitute taught there so I have an idea about how things are run. This news came at the very last week of school so I was unable to let students and many staff members know about the new position. I leave with mixed emotions as this past year was the best job I have ever had... by far!

I am hoping that next year will be another amazing year!