Artist Alexei Antonov

I was born in Russia in 1957, and I have been trying both hands (I'm ambidextrous) at art ever since. I can remember myself from the age of two, and when I was three, I was the terror of my mother's make-up kit, as I loved to draw murals on the wallpaper with her lipstick.

All through my childhood I continued drawing, and in high school, although I left much to be desired in my other classes, I excelled in art and singing. I think that I was not a good student in other areas because I prefer to teach than to be taught. Eventually though, I learned to learn.

The most beautiful work of art is the one that reaches your mind and heart without the help of art critics.

— Alexei Antonov