Born in Altai, one of Russia's most remote and off-the-beaten-track towns, Viktor Shvaiko grew up surrounded by the beauty of the wilderness. His natural inclination for fine arts and his strong urge to share his vision of nature drove him to find a way into the Novoaltiask Artistic school, one of the two best schools for the arts in the former Soviet Union. Four years of strenuous studies enabled Viktor, a very diligent student, to acquire the skills of a true artist.

Eventually, Shvaiko wanted to escape the Russian bureaucracy that affected the careers of young artists. Unable to obtain a visa to a western country, in 1992 Shvaiko obtained permission to travel to Yugoslavia. In the confusion of the civil war, he escaped to Italy with his paintings strapped to his back.

Having arrived in Italy virtually penniless, Shvaiko survived by selling his paintings on the streets of Rome. He managed to build a following for himself and save some money. He eventually returned to a now more liberalized Russia and was able to obtain passage to America.

Soon after arriving in this country, Shvaiko's career began to flourish. It was here that he developed his penchant for painting the little cafes and other intimate places that we continue to see in his work today, and that have become his trademark.

His enticing mix of beauty and mystery has drawn the interest of collectors from around the world, and he now has over 25 sold-out one-man shows to his credit. A more comprehensive biography of Mr. Shvaiko is available in the 128 page full-color monograph, "Victor Shvaiko-Journey to the West" available through Hanson Gallery.