Vladimir Nasonov was born in 1962 in Russia. After graduation from high school, Nasonov served for two years in the Russian Army where his natural artistic abilities were used to support the activities of the Russian Army. Nasonov painted advertising posters to promote and enhance the image of the Russian Army and in the process discovered a deep desire to study to become a painter.

Nasonov found it necessary to support himself by working as a machinist in a factory as he began to study art and to paint. Even though his artistic talent was recognized, Nasonov was directed into an athletic pursuit for his country and became a successful pro soccer player.

While enjoying his success as an athlete, Nasonov was learning that what he most desired was to become a great artist. Self-education in the history and techniques of great artists became his true passion. While visiting the Pushkin and Hermitage Museums and the National Tretjakov Gallery, Elja Repim, Surikov and Vasnemov along with other 19th century artists, inspired Nasonov as he discovered their abilities to capture the beauty and character of their subjects. Nasonov worked hard at his easel as he taught himself to master various traditional techniques.

As Nasonov read many art books, he became fascinated with the theories of the impressionists-their determination to study and capture light and nature with brush strokes that let the eyes of the viewer complete the impression of the composition. Nasonov was influenced by Monet, Cortez, Blanchard, George Stein and Eugene Galien Laloue.

Before 1985 the political structure of Russia did not permit artists to sell their paintings. Nasonov was so dedicated to his paintings that he found it necessary to sell some paintings on the street to survive. This led to many arrests and subsequent fines from the local police-about 50 in fact! Once Nasonov and his wife traveled into Poland and Hungary. In one day, Nasonov sold a number of his paintings at a good price. Though quite pleased, the Nasonovs were concerned about getting the money back into Russia. So, they went on a shopping spree like never before purchasing clothes, art books, and even a piece of furniture for their apartment. These were exciting times for Nasonov.

Since that time, Nasonov has amassed an impressive library of art books primarily through his U.S. art dealer. Nasonov’s wife has said, "No more art books, Vladimir, we need furniture!"

After 1985, Gorbachev made it possible for artists to officially sell their paintings at outdoor markets set up in designated locations. Nasonov was so happy with his new freedom and began to sell many paintings to foreign visitors. Collectors from the U.S., Canada, Germany and France selected paintings for their personal and corporate collections.

In 1994, Nasonov’s paintings were discovered by a Russian-born American art dealer and introduced into the United States.

Nasonov’s paintings often depict street scenes with glistening wet streets and glowing city lights as people go about their daily lives. Another theme he masterfully paints is rural settings of people working in fields or walking through groves of trees enveloped in the beauty of nature. Nasonov has the ability to captivate the viewer with his compositions that take one to another bygone era filled with romance and nostalgia. Another painting by Nasonov may create within the viewer a sudden experience of the joy of being surrounded by the incomparable glory of nature filled with beauty so complete one can sense an inner fulfillment and even imagine the feelings and smells of actually being in that place.

Nasonov has become quite accomplished as an artist because of his dedication to his painting and his continual self-education. The study of art history and the mastery of techniques used by master impressionist painters as he has developed his chosen path with passion have resulted in a depth easily enjoyed as the collector experiences the museum quality paintings of Nasonov. In fact, Nasonov hopes to share his paintings with future museum visitors as inspiration for future artists.