Valeriy Gridnev was born in the Urals, Russia in 1956. He was educated at Sverdlovsk Art College before studying for seven years at the St. Petersburg Academy of Arts. On completion of the advanced course at the USSR Academy of Arts he won the prestigious Gold Medal with his painting 'Early Years'. The year after he moved to Britain, he won the Frank Herring Easel Award at the Pastel Society Exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London.

 

Valeriy Gridnev was recently made a member of the Pastel Society;  he is also a member of the Russian Aritsts’ Federation. His work hands in collections worldwide as a result of exhibitions in Germany, Russia, London and America and commissions include: Mr Lester Piggot; The Earl of Carnarvon; Lord Porchester; Louis Frosio, Leader of the Monte-Carlo Orchestra; and Mr Richard Compton.

 

Valeriy Gridnev is married to the artist Katya Gridneva, and father to Feodor Gridnev, a young artist (and student architect) who is already showing huge talent - unsurprising in view of his talented parents!