File:Shubhada Sahasrabudhe Sand Artist.png

English: When Shubhada Sahasrabudhe gave a sand drawing performance recently before an auditorium filled with colleagues, she revealed a creative side not often associated with quality control engineers.

Sahasrabudhe's day job is developing mathematical models and simulation tools as a reliability engineer for Intel's Corporate Quality Network in Chandler, Ariz. The native of India came to the United States in 1999 to pursue a master's degree in mechanical engineering. Upon graduating in 2001, she joined Intel, where her husband, Shridhar Bendre, is also an engineer.

Sand drawing, which she picked up less than a year ago, is not her only artistic pursuit. She's also an accomplished oil painter and has shown her work in the Phoenix area, selling several pieces. Unlike oil painting, sand drawing has a performance aspect, and drawings are projected on an overhead screen using a light board as they are being created and often accompanied by music. Sahasrabudhe has introduced sand drawing to her colleagues, friends and family, including her 4-year-old son. "There's sand all over. I have to vacuum all the time," she laughed. Recently, she shared why she believes this little-known art appealed to her and the role that her engineering background played.

Intel Free Press story: Intel Engineer Expresses Herself through Sand -- Artist creates granular beauty with silicon and light.