Nikita Budkov
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Biography
Contemporary Russian-American artist Nikita Budkov was born in Zvenigorod, a suburb of Moscow, Russia on August 16, 1995. As a young boy, he enjoyed reading classic fairytales, science fiction novels, and comics, which all helped shape his imagination and eventually inspired him to express his thoughts through pencil drawings. During his teen years, he became a fan of British and American rock and was later exposed to various genres including symphonic music. Budkov says, “Music is an eternal companion on my career journey.”
As a child, Nikita received his training at the Children’s Art School Program in Odintsovo and successfully graduated with honors. He then enrolled in an architectural course at the Moscow Architecture Institute with the goal of becoming a professional architect. However, his life changed greatly after he had an opportunity to come to the United States of America in 2012 as an exchange student. Upon graduating from Cotter High School in Minnesota, where he was crowned Homecoming King, Budkov was awarded an honorable mention in Scholastic Art & Writing from the state of Minnesota. From this point, he was inspired to pursue a career in traditional fine art.
Budkov traveled to Los Angeles to study traditional painting from a different perspective and to master his artistic skills. For three years he studied full time at the Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art and taught two classes at LAAFA during the summer of his senior year. Budkov graduated with top honors from LAAFA and is now a member of the widely recognized and prestigious California Art Club as well as Assistant to the renowned California plein air artist Peter Adams.
Nikita Budkov’s painting style is based on contemporary realism, and his visual storytelling often includes mythological and ancient symbolic elements. Artist Statement: “Above all, I appreciate ambient atmosphere, and pursue the mystical and the beautiful qualities of life.”
Press and Publications
Nikita Budkov Awarded Top of Class “Artist Under 30” in Plein Air Magazine, December 2021 Issue
Diane Waterhouse, owner of Waterhouse Gallery, gives high marks to these paintings from the August Plein Air Salon competition.
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Nikita Budkov Featured in Fine Art Connoisseur On-Line Magazine, May 5, 2020
There is a lot of superb contemporary realism being made these days; this article by Allison Malafronte shines light on a gifted individual. NIKITA BUDKOV (b. 1995), a Russian-American painter …
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Nikita Budkov chosen for the Winners’ Circle , Artist Under 30, Plein Air Salon by Plein Air Magazine, December 2019
WINNERS’ CIRCLE Kathryn Mapes Turner, owner of Turner Fine Art, crowns her picks for the top paintings in the August-September competition.
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Nikita Budkov Recognized as 21 Under 31 by Southwest Art Magazine, September 2019
It’s time one again to celebrate the next generation of artists! In the following pages you’ll meet 21 artists under the age of 31 who are worth watching. Some are …
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Nikita Budkov Featured as “Three to Watch” in Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine May/June 2019
There is a lot of superb art being made these days; this column by Allison Malafronte shines light on a trio of gifted individuals. NIKITA BUDKOV (b. 1995), a Russian-American …
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Nikita Budkov in Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art Blog Post, March 2019
Once again, LAAFA shined at the 108th Annual Gold Medal Exhibition held b the California Art Club. This year brought an array of diverse artworks as well as a handful …
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Nikita Budkov in Colorado Boulevard.net, March 3, 2019
Here is one more occasion for art lovers to enjoy the wonderful building formerly hosting the Pasadena Museum of Contemporary Art. From March 3 to March 29 the main gallery …
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Nikita Budkov in Winona Daily News, January 2019
Nikita Budkov, a 2014 graduate of Cotter High School, is getting rave reviews as an artist in the highly competitive Los Angeles art scene.
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Nikita Budkov in California Art Club Newsletter, Fall 2018
It has long been observed that talent is an all too common commodity, and that talent alone can almost never lead to success. In fact, undisciplined or misdirected talent can …
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Nikita Budkov in Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art Blog Post, October 2018
On the evening of September 29, 2018 Our LAAFA Alumnus – Nikita Budkov had his first solo show with us here at LAAFA! His show was titled, “Nikita: The Song …
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Nikita Budkov in Plein Air Today Online Magazine Publication, November 2017
American Legacy Fine Arts in Pasadena, California, recently opened a splendid exhibition of plein air works by some of the most collected and celebrated painters in the United States. Who’s …
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