Meet Our Faculty and Staff – Thailand

Continuing with our introductions, we would like to introduce you to our Thailand team.

Dan Christian, Dean and Instructor, was born in Casper, Wyoming in 1975— a small, working-class town in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, which is largely isolated from the outside world. Dan grew up spending hours admiring the album covers of bands he loved at his local record store. From this point on, dark, fantastical imagery lingered in Dan’s imagination.

Eventually, Dan took an interest in conceptual art and tattoos. Though he did not pursue a career as a professional artist until 2011. Tattooing allowed him to travel the world attending tattoo conventions and build his skills. While doing a guest spot at a tattoo shop in Pennsylvania, he met a fellow artist, who was then attending Ani Art Academies Waichulis in Bear Creek, Pennsylvania.

Inspired by the curriculum of the Academy, Dan applied and soon began his apprenticeship with master painter, Anthony Waichulis. Having studied and mentored as a senior student at Ani Art Academies Waichulis from 2014-2018, he was offered the position of Dean of the Ani Art Academies Thailand in Koh Yao Noi, Thailand, in 2020.

Dan excels in Charcoal Drawing and Art education, but his passion lies in Oil Painting and Realism. His style leans toward the macabre, adopting gothic and horror elements for visual impact. His artistic goal is to impress a quest for ‘beauty through darkness’ upon the viewer. In that vein, his art harkens to the Dark Romanticism of Baroque Period masters, blended with the eerie sensationalism of Victorian Penny Dreadfuls, and the flash of Modern Art.

Having accepted the position of Dean at Ani Art Academy in Koh Nao Yoi, Thailand in 2020, Dan is looking forward to sharing his passion and skills with his students. He is grateful for the opportunity to teach and encourage other emerging artists to achieve their rewarding careers.

Dan’s work has been featured in galleries from NYC to California, and many more in between. He has been a finalist and winner in several International Art competitions. Creativity keeps Dan sane in this crazy world.

Dan Christian’s work can be found at
danchristianfineart.com.

Kedsnee Warayot – Operations Manager, Translator, and Kids Class Teacher

Before joining the ÀNI team, Kedsnee dedicated herself to the field of education through her role with an agency specializing in the placement of foreign teachers in schools throughout Thailand. She served as a liaison between educators and institutions, where her role was instrumental in cultivating a global and diverse learning atmosphere. Kedsnee currently serves as the Operations Manager and Translator at Ani Art Academies Thailand. With a background in operations management and being bi-lingual, Kedsnee has been a driving force in connecting the academy with the local community, fostering cross-cultural collaborations that enrich the artistic experience for students.

In her capacity as Operations Manager, Kedsnee is dedicated to streamlining processes and creating an efficient operational framework. Her strategic initiatives have not only enhanced the academy’s internal functions but have also facilitated seamless collaborations with external entities. Simultaneously, Kedsnee’s linguistic expertise has played a crucial role in breaking down language barriers and ensuring effective communication and understanding among students, faculty, and community members.

In addition, Kedsnee runs a weekly after-school program at ÀNI Art Academies Thailand; this program aims to provide fundamental art education to young children of the community, offering a creative outlet that nurtures their imaginations and artistic abilities.