Biography
Born in 1984, Alex Kasyan is a realist artist whose portraiture is animated through a soulful point of view that transcends geography. His fascination with painting people began at adolescence and since then, his focus and fascination with art has appreciated with each day. Kasyan remains ardently committed to the practice of representational painting and drawing rendered with a high sensitivity of tones, shapes, design and colour. His collections of paintings and drawings all stem from his love and devotion to human anatomy, painting, drawing and the exploration of light. Kasyan studied Illustration at Dawson College and was hired by a publisher to illustrate posters and books. In 2007, Kasyan left Montreal to paint and draw in New York City where he attended classes at the National Academy of Design, the Water Street Atelier under Jacob Collins, the Grand Central Academy, as well as the Arts Students League under Nelson Shanks.
Kasyan’s paintings are executed in oil and his drawings in charcoal and graphite. In his eyes, realism is art created in its purest and most truthful form. When he paints or draws a subject, he recreates them and gives them a second life. His passion for representational painting and drawing comes from the satisfaction he receives when he makes his subjects come to life on canvas. Through Kasyan’s works you can sense his appreciation and fascination for the human form, anatomy and the way light illuminate his subject matter. His paintings are characterized by his level of sensitivity and his refined approach in tone and color selection which breathe life into them. His graphite and charcoal drawings are distinguished by the thoughtful hatching he uses to separate the contrasts in tones of the chosen subject matter.
Kasyan has taught painting workshops at Stewart Hall and Dawson College in Montreal. Since 2010, he teaches realist painting and drawing in his Montreal studio. Kasyan has exhibited his works at Museum of European Modern Art, among other prestigious galleries, was selected as finalist and semi finalist in competitions worldwide.
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Art Competitions
2021 38th Open Division of the IAPS 2021, Zhou B. Gallery in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
2021 Pastel Society of Canada, 30th Annual Juried Exhibition – Purely Pastel, Finalist, Vancouver, BC, Canada
2021 Royal Society of Portrait Painters Exhibition FInalist, Mall Galleries, London, UK
2021 ModPortrait Finalist, catalogie
2020 Art Renewal Center Salon 2020 Finalist, catalogue
2020 Portrait Society of America, Select 50, online exhibition
2019 Figurativas 2019 finalist, Museum of European Modern Art, Barcelona, Spain
2019 BP Award 2019 semi finalist, National Portrait Gallery, London, UK
2019 Art Renewal Center Salon 2019 semi finalist, catalogue
2018 Art Renewal Center Salon 2018 semi finalist, catalogue
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Group Exhibition
2021 38th Open Division of the IAPS 2021, Zhou B. Gallery in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
2021 Pastel Society of Canada, 30th Annual Juried Exhibition – Purely Pastel, Vancouver, Canada
2021 Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Mall Galleries, London, UK
2021 DRAWING2021 online exhibition, John B. Aird Gallery, Toronto, Canada
2020 Annual Pastel Society of Eastern Canada International Exhibition (online)
2019 Figurativas 2019, Museum of European Modern Art, Barcelona, Spain
2018 In Praise of the Model, AmeArt gallery, Montreal, Canada
2018 Figure and Space (Exhibition Curator and Exhibitor) , Atelier Galerie 2112, Montreal, Canada
2017 Art Cru, Atelier Galerie 2112, Montreal, Canada
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Solo Exhibitions
2016 Portraits of India, AmeArt Gallery, Montreal, Canada
2013 InMoods, Musée du bronze de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
2008 Études, Warren G.Flower gallery, Montreal, Canada
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Studies
2010 – 2012 Concordia University, Painting and Drawing
2007 – 2008 Art Student’s League
2007 – 2008 Water Street Atelier
2004 – 2007 Dawson College, Illustration&Design
LINKS:
Pastel Society of Eastern Canada
Royal Society of Portrait Painters Exhibition
Portrait Commission
The Process: What can be expected from start to finish?
As a first step, a meeting between the artist and the client is booked to discuss the vision of the final artwork, its dimensions, who will be featured in the painting as well as the budget. Kasyan’s goal is to understand his client’s vision. His objective is to provide the best options to his clients that will allow him to create a timeless representation of the subject(s) featured within his portrait paintings. Kasyan offers portrait painting service done from life, based on a photo session or client may choose to provide a photograph for the painting.
Once the direction of the portrait painting is approved by the client, in case of painting from life option, a live session is booked between the artist and the subject(s) of the painting. If the client prefers not to participate in a live session for the portraiture, a photograph can be used instead. In situations where the client is unavailable to pose from life and chooses painting from a photo option, a photo session is arranged between the artist and the client. Kasyan uses top of the line photography equipment to assure the best quality reference photo to create the painting from. During the photo session, the subject(s) of the painting will be asked to pose in multiple angles (as seen in the example above) to find the poses that best suit the vision of the client. Once a reference photograph is approved, Kasyan begins to create the artwork.
The client may choose the option of providing their photo as well. In this case the entire process can be arranged online.
Upon completion of the artwork, the client will receive a digital photo for their final approval.
Timeline and Delivery of the Artwork
The time required to complete the portrait painting depends on its complexity, dimensions and the number of people featured within it. As an estimate, clients can expect to have their portrait painting completed anywhere between five hours to one month. Please note, that if the subject(s) select to pose in person they will be able to witness the progress of the artwork firsthand and get to know Alex Kasyan personally. With both options, once the painting is fully dry and varnished, it is carefully packed and delivered to the client. In addition, Kasyan can assist his clients with framing options for the artwork to provide frames that complement the artwork as well as suit space within which it will be hung.
Budget
Prices include art materials and painting service. Framing, shipping and travel exenses are not included. *Please note that a pastel piece requires to be framed behind glass. Prices are in CAD.
For price quotes please email info@alexkasyan.com
For visual chart and price list please click HERE
Portrait Drawing: Head and Collar … $ 1,850
11×14 Graphite
extras: Additional person $ 1,500, Advanced Background $ 1,000
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Portrait Painting: Head and Collar … $ 3,750
11×14 Oil on canvas or pastel on paper
extras: Additional person $ 2,000 Advanced Background $ 1,000
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Portrait Head and chest (no Hands) … $ 8,500
24 x 18 Oil or pastel
extras: Additional person $ 3,000 Advanced Background $ 1,000
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Portrait Half Body … $ 15,000
40 x 30 Oil on canvas
extras: Additional person $ 7,000 Advanced Background $ 2,000
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Portrait Full Length … $ 25,000
60 x 40 Oil on canvas
extras: Additional person $ 10,000 Advanced Background $ 4,000
