Instructors

ALORIA WEAVER & DAVID HESKIN

 FINE ARTISTS • INTERNATIONAL ART INSTRUCTORS • TRADITIONAL LINEAGES

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
Aloria Weaver and David Heskin have each been oil painting for over 25 years and teaching together internationally for more than 15 years. They both received Master’s Degrees with distinction from The King's Foundation School of Traditional Arts in London, UK. Weaver & Heskin have each pursued their independent studies in a variety of traditional lineages, including:

Atelier training in the sight-size method of classical realism with alumni of the Florence Academy of Art in Italy
Italian egg tempera icon painting and gilding, through an unbroken transmission from master to student dating back to Fra Angelico in 1430
Russo-Byzantine egg tempera icon painting and gilding
Mischtechnik (mixed-technique), an indirect process of painting with egg tempera and oil glazes, as revived by Viennese artist, Professor Ernst Fuchs
V-incised carving in stone through UK artist, Tom Perkins
Stained Glass Painting

SOMA™ Handmade Oils and mediums, which trace their roots back to the old masters, are essential to their classroom oil painting instruction and many of their creative processes. In learning about the natural sources of traditional and modern painting materials, students cultivate a deeper appreciation for the tools, science and evolution of the craft across millennia.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
"We believe in presenting a logical approach to every stage of the process, from start to finish. Although the mediums, materials and processes of any new art practice can initially be intimidating, we help students build relationships with their art by becoming re-enchanted with the elemental materials of our trade. By actively engaging creative and analytical processes in tandem, our students gain proficiency in the Theory & Practice of the Craft, which can be applied to their personal approach to art. We often say that we teach technique based on solid principles rather than style. Our students often have visions for their artwork that lie beyond their scope. It is our work to help bridge the gap between an artist's current skills and future goals.”

SUBJECTS TAUGHT

Intro through Advanced Drawing
Intro through Advanced Oil Painting
Direct & Indirect Painting
Underpainting & Glazing
Egg Tempera Painting
Mischtechnik Painting
Islamic & Western Geometry
V-Incised Stone Carving
Gilding

Portraiture
Anatomy & Figure
Still Life
Dynamic Composition
Color Logic
Color Mixing
Pigments & Handmade Paints
Handmade Mediums

Traditional Methods
Archival Materials
Painting Supports
Surface Preparation
Traditional Gesso
Varnishing & Framing
Best Studio Practices
Materials Safety & Toxicity

Selected Course History

2026
Sacred Geometry: Portals Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, Wappinger NY
Handmade Pigment & Paint The Learning Council, Paonia CO
Drawing Sacred Geometry The Art Gym, Denver CO
Stone Carving - Letters, Symbols & Patterns Driftless Folk School, Viroqua WI
Handmade Pigment & Paint Driftless Folk School, Viroqua WI

2025
Sacred Geometry: Art Forms in Nature Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, Wappinger NY
Alchemical Painting Practices The Learning Council, Paonia CO

2024
Golden Cosmos The Learning Council, Paonia CO
Geometry Drawing Retreat Dar Al Islam, Abiquiu NM
Art of the Sacred Chapel of Sacred Mirrors, Wappinger NY
Oil Painting Techniques & Traditions Luminous Flux - Online

2023
Advanced Portrait Painting Luminous Flux - Online
Summer Drawing Retreat Dar al Islam, Abiquiu, NM
Preparing Gesso Panels for Oil & Egg Tempera Luminous Flux - Online
Surface Preparation for Painting Luminous Flux - Online
Geometry of the Sacred Seattle, WA
Geometric Meditations Paonia, CO
Sacred Pattern Paonia, CO

2022
Visionary Techniques Luminous Flux - Online

2021
The Technical Metaphysics of Oil Painting Luminous Flux - Online

2020
Thriving Artists Luminous Flux - Online

2018
The Alchemy of Oil Painting Praxis Arts Seattle, WA
The Secret Geometry of Painting Chapel of Sacred Mirrors Wappingers Falls, NY

2017
Visionary Alchemy Paradise One Byron Bay, Australia
The Alchemy of Oil Painting Chapel of Sacred Mirrors Wappingers Falls, NY
Visionary Techniques & Traditional Methods Praxis Arts Seattle, WA
Sacred Art & Elemental Magic Symbiosis - Elemental Alchemy Global Eclipse, OR
Advanced Painting Techniques Luminous Flux Gallery + Studios Loveland, CO
Sacred Art in Theory & Practice Sonic Bloom Academy Walsenburg, CO
Visionary Art Atelier Bali, Indonesia
The Alchemy of Oil Painting Luminous Flux Gallery + Studios Loveland, CO

2016
The Art of Oil Painting Luminous Flux Gallery + Studios Loveland, CO
Visionary Techniques & Traditional Methods Luminous Flux Gallery + Studios Loveland, CO
Spring Trimester - The Portrait Vienna Academy of Visionary Art Vienna, Austria
Traditional Painting Materials & Mediums The Hofburg Palace Vienna, Austria
Materials & Mediums The Loveland Atelier Loveland, CO
Geometric Meditations as Practical Magic Chapel of Sacred Mirrors Wappingers Falls, NY
The Art of Oil Painting Luminous Flux Gallery + Studios Loveland, CO
The Alchemy of Oil Painting Luminous Flux Gallery + Studios Loveland, CO

2015
Magical Perspectives II. Luminous Flux Gallery + Studios Loveland, CO
The Artist’s Journey Atlan Center White Salmon, WA
Art Pilgrim Tobias School of Art & Therapy East Grinstead, UK
Expanded Visions in The Mischtechnik Vienna Academy of Visionary Art Torri Superiore, Italy
Geometry In Perspective Luminous Flux Gallery + Studios Loveland, CO
Drawing Courses Luminous Flux Gallery + Studios Loveland, CO

2014
Visionary Techniques & Studio Practice I. Luminous Flux Gallery + Studios Loveland, CO
Visionary Techniques & Studio Practice II. Luminous Flux Gallery + Studios Loveland, CO
Visionary Techniques & Studio Practice III. Luminous Flux Gallery + Studios Loveland, CO
Magical Perspectives I. Luminous Flux Gallery + Studios Loveland, CO

2013
Fall Trimester Vienna Academy of Visionary Art Vienna, Austria
In Quest of the Inner Image Vienna Academy of Visionary Art Vienna, Austria
Painting New Worlds Trace Gallery Denver, CO
Sacred Art in Theory & Practice Griffis Sculpture Park Ellicottville, NY

2012
Mana Prima Painting Intensive Onedoorland Studios Portland, OR
Mana Prima Painting Intensive Oasis Healing Arts Sanctuary Ashland, OR

2011
Sacred Art in Theory & Practice Onedoorland Studios Portland, OR