Author: Anya Dribas

One of the most valuable aspects of the Smartermarx and Artist Roundtable communities is the willingness of artists to share the tools, materials, and techniques that help them work more effectively. During our discussions, members exchanged recommendations on everything from brushes and mounting techniques to printers, framing supplies, and studio lighting. This installment of Tools of Practice, part 2 gathers many of those resources into one place. Beyond Traditional Brushes Many conversations began with a look at some unconventional brush options that artists have adapted for studio use. Pinstriping brushes, originally designed for automotive detailing and lettering, have become favorites…

\ÀNI Art Academies Waichulis apprentice Randy Leoncini has won first place in the drawing category of the 16th Annual Salon Art Prize for his charcoal work, A Saturday Morning. Formerly known as the PleinAir Salon, the competition is regarded as one of the premier international awards for contemporary representational art, attracting submissions from highly accomplished artists around the world. The competition exclusively accepts work created in traditional media, with photography and AI-generated imagery excluded from consideration. Leoncini’s drawing has continued to gain widespread recognition across multiple exhibitions and competitions. A Saturday Morning previously earned First Place in the Monmouth County…

Artist Debra Keirce has once again been recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard Art Program, with three paintings accepted into the 2026 U.S. Coast Guard Art Collection. Her works, Unplugged, Launching Is a Group Effort, and Shoehorned, were selected among just 35 artworks chosen for inclusion in this year’s collection. The paintings are based on Keirce’s experiences aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stone, capturing the challenges, teamwork, and daily operations of life at sea. Each of the accepted works offers a unique glimpse into the realities of service aboard a Coast Guard vessel. Through carefully observed details and dynamic…

ÀNI Sri Lanka Apprentice Jindari Bandara recently had two of her pastel drawings selected for display in the inaugural exhibition at Eterno Art Gallery in Sri Lanka. Her works, Hope in the Hay and Shades of Umber, were chosen alongside artwork by 22 other artists and featured in the exhibition. The exhibition showcased a diverse range of contemporary realist artwork, with a strong emphasis on Classical Realism and Photorealism. Visitors were also able to experience selected contemporary and abstract works, creating a dynamic presentation that highlighted the breadth of artistic expression currently emerging within Sri Lanka’s art community. Eterno Art…

As part of the ongoing exhibition Inspirations: A Global Cascade of Influence — From Old Souvenirs to New Voices, Anthony Waichulis from ÀNI Art Academies will participate in a special panel discussion at the John F. Peto Studio Museum on June 25, 2026. Titled “Inspirations as a Continuum,” the discussion will explore how artistic influence can be cultivated without sacrificing individuality. Panelists will examine the role of structured training in developing an artist’s voice and discuss how mentorship, observation, and personal experience contribute to creative growth. The event is part of the museum’s Peto Presents lecture series, a monthly program…

ÀNI Art Academies Dominicana is expanding its staff team! In addition to our current instructor, Fraelo Lantigua Garcia, the academy will soon welcome a new Dean and an additional instructor. At the end of May, Juanairis Collado will officially step into the role of Dean. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Juanairis came to the United States to study under ÀNI co-founder and curriculum designer Anthony Waichulis. Through years of dedicated training and mentorship, she developed the skills and experience necessary to help lead and support the Dominicana campus. Joining the instructional team will be Francisco Collado as an additional instructor…

The 2026 Almenara Art Prize is now accepting submissions. This prestigious competition highlights work from some of the finest living artists worldwide. Artists may enter work in the following categories: figurative, portrait, plein air, landscape, drawing, still life, wildlife and animal, religious and spiritual, fantastic realism, from life by graduate students, and young artists. All submitted work must be created using traditional materials. Digital artwork, photography, and AI-generated images will not be accepted. To verify authenticity, artists are also required to submit work-in-progress images alongside the final artwork. Full submission guidelines and rules can be found on the Almenara website.…

Debra Keirce has been awarded Best in Show at the Small Works National Competition at Mena Art Gallery. The exhibition, known for attracting a highly competitive pool of entries from across the country, showcased an impressive range of small-scale works. This year’s selections were particularly strong, making Keirce’s top honor even more significant. Juried by Amy Holmes Scoggins, the competition recognized outstanding technical execution, composition, and visual impact. The awarded painting (Lead the Way, 8×10″, Oil) features a meticulously rendered Western scene, capturing both narrative and atmosphere with remarkable precision.

Three apprentices from ÀNI Art Academies recently participated in a unique artist retreat at Erik’s Ranch in Paradise Valley, Montana. Surrounded by expansive landscapes and mountain views, the retreat offered a focused environment for artistic exploration, reflection, and community engagement. Representing ÀNI Art Academies Dominicana and ÀNI Art Academies Waichulis, Patricia Alonzo Diaz, Angel Young, and Steven Griffin were selected based on their dedication to the program and the strength of their work. Each artist engaged with the setting in a personal way, allowing the environment to influence both their process and perspective. The Montana landscape became a key source…

ÀNI Art Academies is proud to celebrate an outstanding achievement by young creative artist Ella Chen, whose work has been selected for national recognition in the prestigious Congressional Art Competition, organized by the Congressional Institute. Ella is one of ÀNI’s young creatives and a dedicated long-distance apprentice studying under Mitchell Bagnas. Her accomplishment highlights both her individual commitment and the strength of ÀNI’s extended mentorship model. Her drawing, Sweet Dreams (9 × 14″, Charcoal), has been chosen for exhibition in the United States Capitol, where it will be displayed for one year in the Cannon Tunnel in Washington, D.C. This…