Daniela Nikolaeva (DaNi)

Award winning artist working in traditional and digital media, interested in education, travel, biking, nature, languages, technology and innovation.

President of DaniDesignArt: graphic design, web design and multimedia.

Founder of Balkan Treasures - arts and crafts

Professor at the Art Institute of California - San Francisco

I was born in Bulgaria, Europe. As a child, I had 3 big aspirations: to travel, to become an artist, and to fly. In old, communist Bulgaria, the only way to accomplish the first one was to master the last one. At the age of 8, I finally realized that despite of the numerous bruises and cuts on my knees, the flying part was not going to happen. So, I focused on my second aspiration - to become an artist. At 10, I started taking art classes. Then, I studied languages. At 25, I spoke 4 languages and had a Master's degree in Art. That later on led to traveling and exhibiting my paintings in various parts of the world: Italy, France, USA, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, etc. So, I could fly after all, but on the wings of my imagination. And occasionally, on airplanes, hot-air balloons, with parachutes, etc. Currently, I am a professor at the Art Institute of California, where I teach art and design classes. I also teach online classes and at two other campuses in the area: Berkeley City College and Laney Collage.

In my spare time I blog about art and design and travel. I am working on 2 books and I am developing an idea for a travel magazine, where people could publish their amazing travel experiences.