Vladimir Derkach was born in the small town of Lubertsy, outside Moscow. The beauty and the diversity of Crimea with white huts and orchards of sun-drenched walnut trees; oven fires for long, cold winter nights; large and tasty pies; thick fog; and clear as-a-bell skies were to shape his vision as an artist and provide inspiration for his paintings.

Although it wasn’t clear to him as to the profession he should choose as a young adult, an encouraging word from his commander in the Soviet Army convinced him to take the examination for the Moscow Art Academy. After seven years of study, his path as an artist was set.