Biography

Alexander V. Orlov was born in 1959 in the ancient town of Danilov in Central Russia. In 1981 he graduated from the Moscow Military Academy as a Lieutenant.

Life as a soldier was at times fatiguing, and Orlov would occupy every spare moment to draw and paint. After years of service in the inhospitable Soviet Far East, he was able to pursue his art more seriously when he was posted back to Moscow. Eventually he resigned his commission as a Captain and began to pursue his true passion as a full time artist.

In Moscow, Orlov became acquainted with a pair of tourists, Arlene and David Ray, who were influential collectors from Beverly Hills, and after seeing his paintings and recognizing his accomplished talents as an artist, the Rays felt Orlov should come to the United States where his work would receive the recognition it deserved. Thus, in 1991 Orlov moved to California where he continues to reside in the Los Angeles area.

Orlov’s style is unique in his well-crafted approach and can be considered ”poetic realism.” While he captures minute details of each scene, while interpreting the overall atmospheric effect and sense of poetic mood. He paints landscapes of the open steppes and deep forests of Russia, scenic beaches of California, urbanscapes of European cities, as well as formal portraits of dignitaries. The common thread in all of Orlov’s paintings is that they are each carefully observed and exquisitely detailed.

In 1994 the historic California Art Club awarded Orlov with the Gold Medal for Best Painting at the Gold Medal Juried Exhibition. Among Orlov’s distinguished list of collectors are the Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver; film producer John Davis; sports program producer and 1993-99 NBC West Coast President Don Ohlmeyer.

Alexander V. Orlov is a Signature Member of the California Art Club.