As Real As It Gets

This innovative artist has overcome adversity to become successful in his craft.Leonid Afremov is a Russian-Israeli modern impressionistic artist all the art collectors of the world should know, if they don’t already. His unique technique of using a palette knife and oils is distinct and unmistakable in his work. He is also a unique artist because he promotes himself and sells his work exclusively online, with very little exhibitions and involvement of dealers and galleries. Before his big break, Afremov was a typical struggling artist, trying to make ends meet and get his name out in the world.He was born in Vitebsk, Belarus to Jewish parents and was raised in a traditional Jewish home, despite living with anti-Semitism in Soviet Russia and the constant threat of being killed or attacked because of his heritage. He overcame adversity and graduated high school as the top tenth student and was admitted to the Vitebsk Education Institute where he studied the arts and graphic department. During his years at the institute he was introduced to world renowned artists such as Chagall, Picasso, Dali and Modigliani as well as the era of 19th century French impressionism. He participated in various school exhibitions and sold some paintings during his time at the Vitebsk Education Institute. After graduating, he worked as a label designer in a local beer and liquor factory and briefly as a set designer in a local theater.Afremov and his family moved to Israel to pursue a new life and fresh start. Because he was a recent immigrant, the locals considered his art to be of little value and he wasn’t taken seriously as an artist. He was only given a small price for each painting to keep food on the table and was exploited and discriminated by the galleries. Once again, he overcame adversity and went to sell his paintings door to door. This was an effective method and soon enough Afremov opened his own gallery and frame shop. Afremov now lives in Boca Raton, Florida with his family and enjoys his life as a successful painter.info source: http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/leonid-afremov.htmlPhoto source: http://www.thecoolist.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Leonid-Afremov-Art_1.jpghttp://artboom.info/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Leonid-Afremov-Paintings-10.jpg