Meet Our Faculty and Staff – Sri Lanka

Rodney O’Dell Davis, Dean and Instructor, followed his passion for fine art, to New York City, where he was accepted into the prestigious Grand Central Academy of Art core-program. After some years diligently studying representational art- he applied to the ÁNI Art Academy Waichulis; where he met and apprenticed under Anthony Waichulis. Upon completing this challenging and rewarding program, he was offered the position of Head Instructor at ÁNI Art Academies Thailand. After four years of Deanship at ÁNI Art Academies, Rodney is ready to embark upon an exciting new chapter. The O’Dell Studio is the logical next step in Rodney’s journey, designated to launch new and exciting opportunities for students seeking careers in Fine Art.

Rodney O’Dell Davis’ aesthetic could be described as a veritable carnival of serenely macabre, romantically gothic beauty- a slow, graceful stroll through evocative, melancholic memory. At once darkly fantastical, haunting, dignified, and sublime. As if unable to rouse oneself from a dream—Davis’ work will linger in your thoughts, long after the experience.

I.G.M. Dilshan, Instructor, discovered his passion for drawing and painting from a young age. After completing high school at the age of twenty, he earned a coveted spot at the then newly-opened ÁNI Art Academies in Sri Lanka, studying directly under ÀNI Co-founder and seasoned instructor Timothy W. Jahn. Over the next few years, I.G.M. would continuously hone his artistic skills and showcase his endeavors in several prominent galleries. Publications and accolades would soon follow, notably Beautiful Bizarre Magazine in 2023 and taking first place in the BoldBrush August 2023 Art Competition.

Specializing in dark fantasy oil paintings, I.G.M. remains deeply dedicated to his craft, which has grown into a significant passion for mentoring fellow creatives when possible. He sees ÁNI as an incredibly advantageous resource for creative skill growth and is excited to continue his own artistic journey while helping as many others as he can along the way.

Nuwani Gunawardhana – Administrative Assistant

Nuwani is a native of Sri Lanka whose passion for art ignited at a young age. Despite not having the opportunity to study Art formally in school, her passion for realistic art resurged after high school. Learning about ÀNI Art Academies through her art teacher, Nuwani eagerly joined ÀNI Art Academies Sri Lanka, aspiring to refine her skills.

Under the esteemed mentorship of Timothy W. Jahn at ÀNI Art Academies, Nuwani feels immensely grateful and joyous to be part of the ÀNI family. Joining in 2020 as an apprentice, she assumed the role of a translator in 2021, translating the curriculum textbooks and videos into Sinhala. Balancing her role as a translator while dedicating herself to studying as an apprentice, Nuwani aims to enrich her artistic abilities further and support her fellow apprentices in their journey. Her aspiration remains to continue evolving as an artist and contributing to the artistic community.

Indralal A. Gunawardena – Operations Manager

Indralal, born in Matara, Sri Lanka, embarked on a professional journey that spans diverse roles across various industries. Following the completion of advanced-level examinations, Indralal began as a Costing Valuation Officer at a reputable food manufacturing company in Matara. Concurrently, pursuing a Diploma in Civil Construction at a technical college in Colombo added to his skill set.

Transitioning to a role as a civil construction work supervisor in Bahrain, he completed a fulfilling five-year contract before returning to engage in a telecommunications project in Greater Colombo, organized by a Japanese trading company. During this period, he augmented his expertise by acquiring a diploma in logistics and material management.

Subsequently, he assumed the position of business manager at a Singapore-based trading company operating in Sri Lanka. Following the devastating tsunami in 2004, he opted to remain in his home country and accepted a job offer as a project officer specializing in infrastructure and community water supply for an Irish INGO in the southern region. Later, he joined a French INGO in Colombo, serving as a country logistics officer focused on operations in the northern province.

Drawing upon his diverse experiences within various NGOs, he was honored to be offered the role of Chief Operations Officer at ÀNI Art Academies. Deeply appreciative of the rewarding opportunities presented by his work in the NGO sector, Indralal is immensely grateful and privileged to contribute to the ÀNI family. His dedication lies in supporting aspiring young artists, guiding them to manifest their aspirations into tangible realities.

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