Aleksander Titovets was born in Siberia, educated in St. Petersburg, Russia, and now resides and paints in Texas and New Mexico. His classical art skills reflect the Russian School of Oil Painting, a style that combines a powerful realistic involvement with the soft, lyrical looseness of impressionism. Another vital aspect to his paintings, which is beautifully translated in his figurative pieces, is his unceasing determination to capture, in his own words, the graciousness of the soul. Although some of Aleksander's more recent work is influenced by his surroundings in the southwest desert, the majority of his images are still inspired by his Russian homeland. His reserve of some 100 sketches, precious documents of earlier travels, is the basis for these nostalgic creations. “Like all artists, I am more comfortable painting what I know,” explains Aleksander. Through his visual creation of the physical depths of shadow and light within his Russian landscapes, one can feel the grace inspired by such exquisite translations of natural beauty. Being in the USA for a quarter of a century, his art has inspired, mesmerized, and uplifted the spirits of art lovers everywhere. His body of work has earned him many awards and honors such as his portrait of the First Lady Laura Bush, which opened a new gallery within the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C, entitled "First Ladies’ Gallery" in the National Portrait gallery. Aleksander's painting on the Biblical theme of Judith with the head of Holofernes earned him the Crystal Eagle, the highest honor from the "Artists of America" invitational exhibition in Denver, Colorado. As a guest of "Great American Artists" in Cincinnati, Ohio, his works became part of the Proctor and Gamble as well as Cincinnati Bell collections. His art is also in numerous private and corporate collections including the King of Spain's private museum, Sophia Loren's collection, Sam Walton family, Smuckers Corporation. Many others proudly own one or more of Aleksander's pieces. Aleksander has participated in competitions with the National Academy of Design in New York and the Oil Painters of America. He has won Best of Show six times in the International Fine Art Competition. In June 2004 the Salon d’arts Invitational Fine Art Exhibition in Denver, Colorado featured his artwork. For many years running, he has been selected as guest artist for Great American Artists of America, which honored him in 1998 with the Artist’s Choice Award. At the National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society, he received the Monteverde Commemorative Award. Of his most prestigious honors, Aleksander was chosen by the Smithsonian to paint First Lady Laura Bush’s portrait for the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. This painting was the initial portrait that opened the “First Ladies Gallery” there. In October 2010, the El Paso International Museum of Art inducted Aleksander into The Artists’ Hall of Fame. He was also selected for the exclusive article, “Color Magicians” among six other artists by “Art of the West” in December 2010. His thoughts and works were published in “Sketch Book Confidential: Secrets of the Master Artists,” by Northern Light Books in Cincinnati, OH, 2011. Aleksander has also been included in the El Paso Museum of Art’s “Desert Modern and Beyond. Art from 1960 to the Present” exhibition and book, Summer 2012. Most recently, he had a solo exhibition at the El Paso Museum of Art entitled, “Past and Present”. His work and name have appeared in many publications, such as Best of Portrait Painting, Art of the West, Art-Talk, Southwest Art, and International Artist, which described Aleksander as “one of America’s leading Impressionist painters.” His paintings are included in public and private collections worldwide, including those of Sophia Loren and the King of Spain, His Majesty Juan Carlos.