Pradeep Bangalore
Visual Artist
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Do what you love and do lots of it. Be curious about what you haven’t yet mastered.

That’s what drives Pradeep Bangalore to always create art and learn new ways to express what he visualizes.

“I love creating. If what I imagine comes true, that makes me happy,” he said.

The unique artform prominent in most of his recent work involves layers of colored paper, each laser-cut and stacked on top the sheet below, adding depth and contrast with each layer. He calls his art business Laser Cravings.

How did he discover this technique?

“I was always interested in technology, and I have been experimenting with many, many different media. I thought I would get stuck in one, but I've never got stuck.” Always experimenting and always curious, when he first saw a laser cutter, he thought he could do something artistic with it. “We used to cut stencil with hand. Laser can be much more intricate.”

He continues to bring his visions to life on paper, wood, clay and other materials. He’s found himself studying anatomy and items like a human skull to better understand the shapes and expressions. Themes in his work include wildlife and nature from around the world and here in Kansas. He also creates portraits of historical figures and pop culture icons. Michael Jackson and Bob Marley stand out in his collection.

“I love music, particularly those artists. As soon as Michael Jackson was introduced in India, he became famous. And Bob Marley – my friends who liked reggae blasted it in their house, especially Buffalo Soldier.”

Pradeep spent the first 40 years of his life in India and was introduced to the art business by retouching pictures for his uncle, a portrait photographer. Since moving to the United States, he’s lived in Burlington, Vermont; Upstate New York; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Topeka, Kansas. When his wife’s work brought them and their two kids to Topeka in 2013, he wasn’t sure he’d be embraced by an artistic community. He found out he was wrong.

“I was not expecting any art to be present here, but I love Topeka. I’m really happy to be here – the community, the artists.”

"I love creating."

“I was always interested in technology, and I have been experimenting with many, many different media. I thought I would get stuck in one, but I've never got stuck.”

"If what I imagine comes true, that makes me happy.”