Leonid Shkipin, Artist, Creator, Visionary.

Leonid was born on the 15th of October, 1931 in Ladva, near the capital of Karelia, Petrozavodsk.

After difficult times in WWII, in 1947 he attended Petrozavodsk Art College. His artistic specialization was the imitation of architectural historical styles.

Later, Leonid attended and graduated from Pedagogic University and became an Art Instructor. From 1957 to the present, he lives and works in Karelia.

Leonid's credits include 3-time participation in exhibitions in Petrozvodsk, and has participated in other regional exhibitions over the last 10 years. Several of his paintings are on permanent exhibition in the Regional Museum of Art and History in Karelia.

Leonid has painted many religious Icons for surrounding Orthodox churches in the area. He has rendered many scenes of famous and unknown chapels and churches in their natural settings throughout the Republic of Karelia.

The Artist has more than 100 paintings in various private and public collections, including many still lives full of vibrancy. Many of these paintings have migrated to the U.S. where Americans can receive views of Russia that they can get nowhere else.

His passion for art has become even stronger with the years. He puts his heart and soul into executing paintings of nature at her best, and at her worst. For more than 40 years he has been exploring the local nature around a small village in Northern Russia. He has been inspired by the tranquil and peaceful nature surrounding him.

Magic Untouched Karelian nature motifs … White nights… Thousands of lakes…all are reflected in a highly talented Artist's life works.