Dan Christian 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 didn’t 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 eduction, 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 own 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.
Exhibitions, Publications, & Awards
2019
Lovetts Gallery, Enigma Exhibit, Tulsa, Ok
Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Portrait Competition, 2nd Place
Richeson School of Art & Gallery, Small Works Competition, Finalist
2018
International Art Renewal Center, Annual Salon, Finalist
Graduated Ani Art Academies Waichulis
2017
Pauly Friedman Art Gallery, Capturing Realism Exhibit, Dallas, PA
Manifest Gallery, Drawn Competition, Cincinnati, OH
Ani Art Academies Drawing Competition, Third Place
Lovetts Gallery, Red Exhibit, Tulsa OK
Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine, More Than Faces, May/June
2016
Rehs Contemporary Galleries, Synesthesia Exhibit, NYC
International Art Renewal Center, Annual Salon, Finalist
Artists For Art Gallery, Near & Far Exhibit, Scranton, PA
Studio Gallery, Plus One Exhibit, San Francisco, CA
Lovetts Gallery, Cauldron Exhibit, Tulsa, Ok
2015
Pauly Friedman Art Gallery, Capturing Realism Exhibit, Dallas, PA