Aleksander Litkevych was born on August 26, 1951 in Vilnius, capital of Lithuania, in the family of a clerk.

His parents' affectionate, tender upbringing and amazingly beautiful world of Lithuanian nature with its ancient coniferous forests and amber coasts of the Baltic sea harnessed reverent attitude and love to the beauty of nature in the future painter.

In late sixties his family moved to Ukraine and lived in Kharkiv and its suburbs. Quiet Ukrainian nights, exuberantly blossoming gardens, oak forests and beautiful winter evenings impressed Aleksander forever. He graduated from school and two institutes and worked as a clerk, but he still reverently looked at the world that surrounded him.

In 1985 Aleksander's life was changed completely. Onсe in the evening he drove his car and got into an accident. His survival was a God's marvel. After convalescence Aleksander felt that world around him changed. This world with its sunsets, dawns, rains, yellow leaves became so beautiful that he had to capture it on canvas. It was like a fairy tale. Acquaintance with famous marine painter Nikolai Schepilov, oil paints, canvasses, art studios, pencil, coal, sanguine, plainairs, the smell of paint and lacquers. All this filled consciousness completely. But Aleksander's condition was the main in it. Later he will read about this state in the books and memories of great painters. It cannot be described in words. His head burned, his hands burned, he wanted to paint, paint and paint. Canvas, paints finished too quickly. He bought more and more, but it was not enough. He bought all books about painters, made acquaintances with painters, discussed painting, creativity all nights through.

He showed his first work 15x20 cm on cardboard with oil paints to his friend from previous work who was fond of painting, and then to a teacher from college of painting. Their comments were positive, and he dared to give one of his works to a salon in Kharkiv which he often visited to admire works of other painters. He continued to work. A small work 18Ñ…24 cm was estimated in a sum equivalent to salary of a high-ranked official. He did not have to wait long. The next day Aleksander was told that his work was sold. He was invited to exhibit his works again. What a joy! Money were not so important. It meant that somebody appreciated his talent. He felt dizzy with happiness. So it started. Exhibitions, salons, meetings. Days were too short. Work, work, work. Exhibitions in Kharkiv, Kyiv, other cities of the former Soviet Union. Then galleries in Western Berlin, Germany.

Aleksander regularly organizes his personal exhibitions, as well as common exhibitions with other painters. His works always attract both ordinary visitors and specialists. All these works with their unique coloration and inner energy are created on canvas with oil paints and palette-knife. Palette-knife gives creation freedom and aeriality.

One more thing. If you happen to see works of Aleksander Litkevych you will never confuse him with other painters. Painter is not a profession, he says. Painter is a condition of Soul, created by Image and Likeness.

By the critic Monica Lagner.