Gregory Strachov was born in Caracas, Venezuela. He and his family moved to the United States in 1955. Strachov receive his first set of watercolors and brushes when he was 8 years old. By age fifteen when he was first awarded by the Mayor of Paterson, N.J. for his painting titled: "Life".

While Strachov received his BS degree in Chemistry and Biology, his artistic skills and education was self taught. After a highly successful one man show in 1979, where he sold-out his works, Strachov decided that he would pursue a degree in art. Due to his already extensive portfolio, Pratt Institute waived the bachelors degree. However Strachov made the decision to still pursue an undergraduate degree, "in order to fill the gaps" in his art education.