Zufar Bikbov

Zufar's interest in painting came early in life from the influence of his father, a well-respected specialist in engineering. His father's dream to become an artist could not be realized in post- WWII Soviet Union during Stalin's regime. Being accepted to the Nicolai Fechin Art School in Kazan, Russia, he had to switch to the School of Engineering and Architecture. "My dad never pushed me into an art career" recalls Zufar,"however albums of my father's watercolors and a library of Russian Fine Art at our home, along with my father's paints and brushes-this environment became fertile soil for my artistic talent to grow."

Zufar starting taking art classes at age 9-he was 11 when he painted his first few plein air works. He found this kind of painting so different from painting a still-life or model in the art school studio. He fell in love with landscape painting and started exploring the language of direct expression of what just in front of him.

When the time came to choose a college/profession, his soul calling for need to help people led Zufar to a medical career. During his study in medical school, residency, and move to the USA, art was never left behind and continued to be an essential part of his self-actualization. Zufar was honored to paint in the exhibit "Doctor's Paint" in the State Museum of Fine Arts in Kazan and at Yale Medical School. Zufar's town and landscapes style lean towards Russian and Soviet era Impressionism. Spur of interest to Plein Air painting in the USA brought him to national level competitions. He most treasures his Artist Choice award at Plein Air Easton among others.