Join artists David Kassan and Shana Levenson in a transformative 5-day in-person painting workshop where you’ll delve into both classical and contemporary oil painting techniques.

This immersive experience will involve a deep exploration of the formal elements of representational painting such as form, tone, value, color matching, edges, proportions, and composition. Shana & David will also offer guidance to students exploring conceptual art, using representational portraiture as a launching point.

The workshop features a photo shoot for image referencing, ongoing demonstrations by both Shana & David, and personalized one-on-one guidance, catering to artists of all levels.

About the Artists

David Jon Kassan is an internationally recognized contemporary American painter, filmmaker, and philanthropist best known for his life-size representational paintings, which combine figurative subjects with abstract backgrounds or “tromp l’oeil texture studies, ”Of this dual representation strategy” Kassan notes, “my effort to constantly learn to document reality with a naturalistic, representational painting technique allows for pieces to be inherent contradictions; paintings that are both real and abstract.”

Kassan is a much sought after drawing and painting instructor because of his steadfast commitment to the age old discipline of working from life and creating compelling expressions of the human condition. He has given painting/drawing seminars and lectures at various institutions, and universities around the world. In 2013, he founded the Kassan Foundation in hopes of giving grants directly to underprivileged talent in both the visual and musical arts. Kassan works can be seen in many public and private collections worldwide.

Shana Levenson is an accomplished representational painter based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her artistic journey began with a BA in Fashion Design from The University of Texas, Austin. After the birth of her children in 2009 and 2010, she pursued and completed an MFA in Fine Art Painting from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her work primarily focuses on portraiture and the figure, often capturing people who are significant in her life. Levenson aims to tell each person’s story in an authentic and meaningful way, drawing inspiration from her own experiences.

Levenson is known for her hyperrealistic style, where she emphasizes delicate and feminine details in her subjects, like body shape, lace, and jewelry. Her background in fashion has notably influenced her latest series of paintings featuring lace. Additionally, she incorporates surrealistic elements in her current work, highlighting the strength and beauty of women.

Beyond her painting career, Levenson is deeply involved in education. She teaches workshops out of her studio, mentors students, and conducts workshops worldwide. These teaching experiences have shaped her patience and approach as an artist, allowing her to tailor her guidance to each artist’s individual journey.

Levenson’s exhibition experiences have been significant and memorable throughout her career. Her first exhibition in Louisville, CO, was a pivotal moment, where she realized the potential for her work to connect with a broader audience. Her artwork has been featured in numerous exhibitions across the United States and internationally. She exhibits in galleries around the United States including Rehs Gallery in NYC, Sugarlift gallery in NYC, Corey Hellford Gallery in LA, and Abend Gallery in Denver.

Shana Levenson’s work has evolved over the years, and she continues to challenge herself with each new piece, striving for growth and improvement. Her commitment to her art and her community, both as an artist and an educator, makes her a notable figure in contemporary realism.