David Najar

David Najar views nature as a subject in perfect harmony, full of beauty and near God. His artwork captures this balance through a serene combination of movement and color, mixing imagination with reality. Born in 1962 in Israel, Najar’s early artistic talents went largely unsupported by his family, leading him to pursue other paths. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences from Bar-Ilan University from 1987 to 1990, and spent 20 years teaching Krav Maga, the hand-to-hand combat system used by Israeli defense and security forces. His mentor, Krav Maga creator Imi Lichtenfeld, prophetically told him he would be surprised by what he’d find inside himself.
In his 30s, after viewing a painting by Pierre-Auguste Renoir in a museum, Najar’s passion for art reawakened. He began painting classes while still teaching Krav Maga, though his independent style eventually led his instructor to ask him to leave. Undeterred, Najar found mentorship with renowned Israeli artist Itzchak Tarkay in 2003, painting together until Tarkay’s passing in 2012. He also learned from Lithuanian artist Moshe Rosenthalis.
Najar calls his vivid portrayals “Contemporary Expressionism,” characterized by coiled brushstrokes, rippling patterns, and saturated hues. Using impasto and rubber brushes, he creates landscapes, figures, and still lifes that explore light, shadow, and reflection. His paintings are sold worldwide and have been featured in exhibitions throughout Israel, Canada, and the United States. Represented by Park West Gallery, Najar continues painting at his studio in Israel.