Menka Desai

Hi! I am Menka Desai-Crawford, an Architect turned Artist and the face behind Mantis Shrimp Monocles. After exploring the possibility of a career change to Art while in New York City, I pursued it full-time in Mumbai for three years. Not only is Mumbai my hometown, but also where I really learned about alcohol inks, and where a whole new avenue opened up for me as an Artist.

Fast forward to 2021, I now live in Portland, Oregon with my husband, David. I have explored and continue to explore a variety of mediums such as Gouache, Watercolors, Resin, and surfaces like handmade papers, synthetic sheets and wood, among others. The small art business that started way back in 2018 has now become Mantis Shrimp Monocles LLC, registered with the State of Oregon.

I love a good composition on everything - whether on paper, in spaces or in imagination. I look forward to this exciting journey and hope my artwork will bring as much joy to you as it has brought me while creating it.

By Education and profession, I am Architect and an Urban Designer. I did my bachelors of Architecture in Mumbai where I stayed for the first 25 years of my life. After graduating and working for two years in a corporate firm, I was itching to go back to school. So I did and got myself a Master's degree in Urban Design in New York.

Even though i have no formal education in Arts per se, I have held a paint brush and immersed myself in colors throughout my life. A year ago, I decided to take my hobby and passion for colors as my full time job.