Get to know a little bit more about the prolific painter Shana Levenson.
Why have you decided to become an artist? Was there a defining moment in your life when you knew you were an artist?
I’m an artist because there’s nothing else in the world I could imagine doing every day of my life. I wake up and the first thing I do is go in to my studio and paint. It’s hard to say when the defining moment in my life was that I knew I was an artist. As most artists, I have always been drawing. Growing up, my older brother was always the artist and I was the athlete. And now, being married to a successful artist, I find myself constantly trying to fight being in his shadow in some way. Maybe it was the first major sale I had of a painting that was a painting I completed for my thesis while getting my MFA. I realized that people could connect with what I had to say within my work.
What are your ideal conditions for working on your art?
There’s no ideal when you’re a mom of two kids. I have to be able to be accessible so I’ve become accustomed to being able to multitask very well. Some days I get several hours in a row uninterrupted, but other days I might get a little here and there. Either way, I average 8 to 9 hours a day in the studio no matter what.
What’s your background? Do you have a formal art education or are you self taught?
My undergrad degree is in Fashion from The University of Texas in Austin and I received my MFA from the Academy of Art in San Francisco through correspondence with two little kids.
What’s the most important or most memorable advice you’ve been given about either your creation techniques or in marketing yourself?
I remember taking a painting class in college and my brother told me “there are no lines that exist… it’s all value against value”. That seems to have stuck with me early on. In terms of marketing, stay consistent with your brand. Your social media account is your classroom (if you teach workshops) as well as your gallery. Keep in clean and consistent.
What’s your clearest memory from your childhood?
My clearest memory from childhood was sitting in my room with a friend of mine in middle school drawing in our sketchbooks. I used to draw cartoon characters and make up comics or make my friends into characters.
Who is your favorite artist?
My favorite artist living is my husband, David Kassan. My favorite artist not living is Sorolla
What jobs have you done other than being an artist?
I was a make up artist for MAC makeup while I was in school at UT getting my undergrad.
Where do you find inspiration?
I find inspiration from my daily life and from what’s going around me in the world.
What do you think are your strongest abilities contributing to the success of your work?
My strongest abilities that contribute to my success is my work ethic. I am a very routine person and spend a lot of time focused in the studio. I also work well with multitasking as well as reaching out to collectors as often as possible.
What do you dislike most about the art world?
I dislike how shallow the art world can be. The “popular” art might be something that is meaningless but might be liked because of social media or some other person says it’s good.
Do the arts have a place in politics?
Art absolutely has a place in politics. Art can make people see or feel things more clearly. It’s the one-way artists feel like they can have their voices heard.
Name something you love / don’t love, and why.
I love my children because they are the reason for everything I do. I work hard to show them that if you love doing something, you can do it for a living with hard work and patience
What is your dream project?
My dream project would be to create work that is seen in high end fashion magazines by either collaborating with high end brands or painting people that are fashion forward.
Name three artists you’d like to study with, from the past or present and why.
I’d love to study with Vincent Desiderio, Sorolla, and Katie O’Hagan
What couldn’t you do without?
Wine
What do you do when you’re not inspired?
I’m never not inspired. I have a list too long of work I want to create.
