Shtokalo Volodya (1924-2012)

[artwars]

The beginning of his biography goes into pre-war childhood. My father saw the son of seven-painted broom sweep the floor of his mother, said: "The artist will be!" Vladimir painted in school, at the front, seizing the moment. He graduated from the Saratov Art College after the war. '32 Led the studio. He did solo exhibitions. Students come to take lessons from him now. In Vladimir Afanasievich dozens of paintings, which depicted the Volga landscapes. Three of them were included in the exhibition along with an old easel. "Autumn Day at the beach, the former Saratov" knowing how the mood to admire the life of man: light ripple on the water, the trees thin, dull sun ... Unfortunately, the artist has not found many pictures that brought back from the front. Left photo of soldiers on the background of a large, tall as a man, a piece of calico, which displayed the combat path Shtokalo part, painted a division won awards. At the end of the war, in Vienna, he made dozens of soldiers to work on memory. He was in his military works particular episode when he was invited to draw house officers at headquarters, located in the liberated town. In the help they gave him eight men who have the ability to draw. Together they have represented dozens of portraits of famous military leaders in the growth, including Zhukov, Konev. Shtokalo enthusiastically working on a portrait of Stalin, who are all very pleased expression on his face and a strong resemblance. Operated a dry brush and gouache. The officers were extremely pleased.

 But the war Volodya is not so much dropped out happy moments of creativity. He walked hundreds of miles in the rain and mud, and participated in the breakout, followed the artillery barrage. His stories are colorful as his paintings.

 One of the terrible experiences of the war left Poland when released. At the farm, he shot a new barrel when it is brought to the raid on suspected the local houses. Scouts, Newbie to the light, saw that the owners baked a lot of pancakes. For whom? They began to search the attic and basement. In the basement, in the light of a flashlight, they saw the armed Nazis. Our fighter by surprise, threw the grenade nearest officer in the boots of the rich, right in the forehead. The explosion - the whole mess in the hut, just on the floor - boots.

 The bloody war paint in the memory of the artist, not allowed to sleep at night, especially when the look of the TV show hot spots. Nothing in war is not changing, there is the kingdom of death, to his native land can not be allowed again. The news of the victory in his part came on May 2, in the German town are low. To celebrate Shtokalo gave myself two promises: to quit smoking and do learn.
("War Veteran - Artist Shtokalo VA" Irina Trushina 2009).