Looking for some soothing sights during this busy holiday season? You will be quickly washed away upon seeing the current exhibit at the art studio at Cardinal Point Oakmont Senior Living Center. Alameda’s very own local artist Mandar Wagholikar is displaying his artwork during  the month of December. 

Many of his paintings are inspired by Alameda’s natural beauty captured at local yacht clubs, Crown Beach and Shoreline. 

Based in Alameda, Wagholikar is inspired by the magic of nature. He is said to have found his creative inspiration on his daily walks and bike rides by the bay as he witnesses the quiet morning sunrises and the popular Alameda sunsets. The eye catching colors featured in his paintings are the work of acrylic and soft pastels. His work has landed him features in two recent publications, Alameda Magazine and Alameda Architectural Preservation Society’s quarterly newsletter. He was also the winner of the People’s Choice award at the 2017 Plein Air Paint Out event in Alameda. 

Although Wagholikar worked in the corporate world for 16 years and was formally trained as an MBA and a mechanical engineer, he has been an artist all his life. After more than a decade of living and working in New York, Wagholikar moved to Alameda in 2015 and was taken aback by the beauty of the island. He began taking art classes and his new life as an artist officially started. Wagholikar now teaches students of all ages and skill levels. In his demonstration led classes, he strives to enable students to tap into into their own creative spirit. He currently offers art workshops at Frank Bette Center for the Arts and Cardinal Point Oakmont Senior Living Center. 

His students have enjoyed his classes and found them to enrich their own artistic experiences through his teachings. 

He plans to offer a painting class at Otis Elementary School through the Alameda Education Foundation program in the New Year. He will also be offering regular weekly classes for kids and adults alike at his art studio. Check out his website to sign up at mandarfineart.com and message him at mandarfineart@gmail.com for inquiries.