Birthday of Victor Chizhikova

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Who invented the Olympic Mishka and Matroskin cat? Birthday of Victor Chizhikova

All of us with children know and love the characters of books Agnes Barto, Alexander Volkov, Korney Chukovsky, Eduard Uspensky, Samuil Marshak. But not all of us know that the images of all these characters, as well as the famous Olympic Mishka came up and drew a wonderful children's artist - Victor Chizhikov!

"Ever since I was born, I asked:" finch-billed murrelet, where were you? "

Viktor Chizhikov - Honored Artist of Russia. He was born September 26, 1935. Even in the age of ten-painted his first drawings in pencil on a greasy oily wall beside his bed. Pencil dad gave him, and since that time with him he did not let go.

While still in school, he began his professional career in 1952 as a cartoonist in the newspaper "The housing worker."

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Draw cartoons and caricatures like Chizhikova since childhood. Often, the objects of her work became neighbors, teachers, classmates. He carefully studied the drawings of artists, published in the journal "Crocodile", which is subscribed to his mother. Memorize their style, tried to imitate them.

Introduction to Kukryniksov changed his attitude toward art. "Let's agree that. No longer imitate. Remember: you - personality! "- Said he Kupriyanov, who in his professional future leader. And remember it well Chizhikov.

After finishing secondary school № 103 in 1953, Victor joined the Moscow Polygraphic Institute in an editorial and publishing department. His he graduated in 1958.

Beginning in 1955, draws caricatures and cartoons for magazines "Crocodile", "Fun," "Murzilka." Since 1959 works in the magazine "Around the World." Cooperates with other periodicals: "Evening Moscow", "Spark", "Pioneer's true," "Young Guard", "Young Naturalist", "Pioneer", "Week". Since 1960, creating illustrations for children's books.

In 1960 Chizhikova take the Union of Journalists of Russia, and in 1968 he became a member of Artists Union of Russia.

"Melts fastest time of miracles. Good-bye, our sweet Misha, go back to your fabulous forest ... "

In 1977, the country starts competition to design a mascot Olympics in 1980. On the advice of the head of the Union of Artists Chizhikov Victor and his friend decided to take part in it.

On the instructions it was necessary to come up with a bear pattern. It is this animal was voted among the elk and sable, deer, bear and seal program chosen audience CT "In the world of animals" as a mascot for future Olympics.

After analyzing all the previous Olympic symbols, Victor Chizhikov creates his famous Teddy Bear - a good, open and looking for the first time the viewer straight in the eye of Michael Potapich Toptygin. It was his committee and chosen among the many thousands of sketches submitted to the contest.

Then the people from the organizing committee Chizhikova once declared that "the author of a bear - the Soviet people!" Forced to sign papers to transfer all fees to the account of the organizing committee of the Olympic Games 80, and after the artist refused to remove the author's signature from the original drawing, did it themselves. And having paid only 2,000 rubles, were not even invited to the opening of the Olympics.

As a result, Olympic Bear, which became a favorite of millions of people has not brought its creator is neither money nor fame, but only experience and a bad feeling in his heart. But despite this, Chizhikov has not lost its goodness, so important for children's artist, and still continued to create beautiful illustrations for children's books.

"I often meet people who tell me, we grew up on your books, thank you that you have fun! It sounds to me as a reward "

"Bear-cad," "It was my grandmother forty grandchildren," "There is a steer, swing ..." "The Wizard of Oz", "Forest Academy," "The country has unlearned lessons", "Victor Maleev in school and at home," " Wasi Adventures Kurolesova "," Faith and Anfisa in the clinic, "" Forgotten Birthday "," Doctor Aybolit "- all of them, like so many other books of our childhood, illustrated Chizhikova.

The artist came up with the images of all your favorite heroes: Uncle Fedor and Matroskin cat, who taught us from childhood right there sandwiches, Cipollino - Gianni Rodari, "Winnie the Pooh and all-all-all" - Alan Alexander Milne, characters and many other great books for children writers.

He created his own unique and recognizable style, "Barmaley my" Doctor Aibolit "sleeping in bed, and from under the pillow pops magazine" Murzilka "- a favorite reading Barmaley! Here's my method, "- says the artist.

Himself wrote several tales for children, "about a girl and doll Masha Natasha", "Good day to you with a brush," "Peter rescues Potap," "Ball and Vaska against ..." "Peter and Potapov," the latter of which entered the series book "Visiting Viktor Chizhikova" publisher "Samovar".

In 2005, Victor Chizhikov together with the poet and novelist Andrei Usachev published the book "333 cat." It became a book of the year. Then came their new collaboration "Planet Cat" and "Kotografiya in memory." And perhaps in the future creative alliance will appreciate our sponsors and other fine work.

The artist many prestigious awards and prizes. He repeated winner of the contest "The Art Book", licentiate named HK Andersen and Academy of Arts, Council on Children's Book of Russia, the prize "Golden Ostap". He was awarded the "Badge of Honor" and has the title of Honored Artist of Russia.

In 2010, Victor Chizhikova 75 years old, but, despite his already advanced age, he still continues to create. "Still, I did a terrible pictures I try to soften the text. I wanted to and I want children to have less fear. Childhood should be carefree, "- says the artist.

And he's great at it, because not for nothing that his illustrations kids love and remember the adults. For all this, as for many others, I want to say to Victor Chizhikova: "Thank you very much!" And I wish him new creative successes!