Alexy Kriukov was born in the U.S.S.R. in Frebruary 1944 during World War II. He left home at age 16 in order to study Fine Arts at the Dnepropetrovsk Art School. He later studied easel painting at the Kiev Art Academy, the most prestigious school in the Ukraine. Alexy is a very prolific artist and his work is exhibited regularly, gaining him widespread acclaim as an oil painter. All of his works are signed with his nickname, Kriuk, which means 'Hook' translated to English. His paintings create a feeling of serenity and calm and they are held in numerous collections the world over.