Michael Ananian

Michael Ananian is a Full Professor of Art at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG), where he has taught since 1994. He holds a BFA in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design (1987) and an MFA in Painting from Yale University (1990). His artistic practice encompasses traditional media (oil, casein, charcoal) and digital painting/drawing since 2022. His work integrates themes from Old Time music, which he actively plays on the banjo.

Research focuses on portraiture, figurative painting, and storytelling through visual art. His teaching includes Figure Drawing and Digital Painting. Notable works explore narrative sequences and cultural themes, with exhibitions and a documentary by John Thornton (2018). His wife, Dr. Jennifer Keith, is a Professor of English at UNCG, specializing in 18th-century poetry.

Key contributions include oil portraits like Covid Self-Portrait (2021) and Bluebeard (2020), reflecting his exploration of human expression and contemporary contexts. His art often pairs visual work with written narratives, enhancing viewer engagement.