Bailey Piechota, a seventeen year-old honors student from Northeast Pennsylvania, showed little artistic ability in her early years. Like most parents, her mother and father always told her that her drawings were beautiful, and proudly displayed them around the house.  She notes, looking back, they weren't all that good.  You can only rave so much about stick figures.In elementary school, Bailey was discouraged from drawing as she repeatedly heard that it was ‘just an ability some are born with.’  As a teen, Bailey came to understand that there is no reward without hard work and she decided to start drawing again.  Her hard work sparked her excitement and love for drawing again.In 2014, Bailey started looking for an art instructor, and stumbled across Ani Art Academy in an internet search.  It was there that Ani Art Academy's head instructor, Anthony Waichulis, introduced Bailey to Victoria Steel, an artist enrolled as an apprentice in his program. Bailey soon became enrolled as a Long Distance Apprentice. Victoria has since taken Bailey under her wing where she continues on her art-filled journey- continually improving while doing something that she loves.  It never occurred to anyone, looking at Bailey’s colorful drawings hanging on the refrigerator door, that one day her work might be on display on a gallery wall.Bailey will be graduating high school in the year 2017. Whether or not she will choose a career path that includes art still remains to be seen.  One thing that is for certain…art will always be an important part of Bailey’s life.  From refrigerators to galleries, the path has been nothing, if not, rewarding.

(b.1999) Emily Reynolds has always loved drawing, painting and creating art.  She constantly works to improve her abilities through study and observation.  Emily has been surrounded by art and artists through her family and their close relationship with Ani Art Academies.  Both Emily's father, Tim Reynolds, and brother, Max Reynolds, have studied art at her side as the three of them have watched each other make great strides.  Emily has been fortunate enough to study with Anthony Waichulis, Kevin Moore, Brandon Drake and Timothy Jahn.  She is currently working on a drawing for the upcoming show at the Rehs Gallery in New York, whom represented her in the sale of her last work "Dark Kingdom."

(b. 1999) Justin grew up in NJ and started his self-taught drawing course when he was 4 years old. He began drawing in super realism when he was 8 years old and has committed himself to reviving classical art through realism. He believes that it is his privilege to contribute to realism and introduce this classical art to a younger generation in the current digital world. He became the youngest student ever accepted by Tim Jahn at Jahn Studios in 2007. His drawings have won many competitions and have been exhibited at The United Nations NY.Justin also loves other artistic areas; he began to learn piano and oboe at 7 years old and started his first music composition in middle school. His latest piano solo piece is entered in the Golden Key Music Festival Piano Composition Competition 2015.His artistic talent and creativities are fulfilled with his love of nature and classical realism. He gives his artisic skills back to the community via drawing pets for his community’s senior citizens who lost their pets. Aside from drawing and music, Justin enjoys reading history stories and biographies. Through reading historical stories, he felt it is his duty to impact other students to learn how to become successful individuals with diverse and inclusive mindsets.  To assist in this, he founded and became the captain of the first ever History Club at his high school.Justin was accepted to the Academically Talented program in his elementary school and is currently taking the most difficult courses his high school offers. He also enjoys traveling, civics and photography.Justin is currently a sophomore student at Mountain Lakes High School New Jersey and studies drawing with the Long Distance Learning program at Ani Art Academy Waichulis. He is still considering his college choices and plans to pursue a career with his passion of art and strength of academic intelligence.

(b.1997) Since Max was very young, he has been surrounded by artists. From his father, Tim Reynolds, to his grade school friends, many admirable people instilled a passion and appreciation for art that inspired him to draw on anything from napkins to his bedroom walls. When his father started studying with Timothy Jahn, Max was shaken with the realization that the only things between him and creating important art were education and dedication. That changed everything.Max currently studies with Ani Art Academies' Kevin Moore and has been fortunate enough to receive extensive instruction from Anthony Waichulis, Brandon Drake, and Timothy Jahn.Max, now a Senior at Rumson-Fair-Haven High School, is eager to continue his artistic journey for many decades to come as he prepares for the next step in his education.