SERGEI V. CHERNIKOV
Chernikov primarily works in oils, but he also enjoys creating pastel portraits. His art is realistic, yet it is unmistakably a painting—not to be mistaken for a photograph. He loves to incorporate pets, additional figures or any elements that best highlight the subject. In his still life compositions, he often includes personal mementos that help convey the subject’s story to future generations.
His process begins with a three-hour meeting and photo session to get acquainted with the subject. While Chernikov can create portraits from existing photos—such as in the case of posthumous portraits—he prefers to control the lighting and take his own reference photos. Afterward, he retreats to his studio just outside of Chicago, where he paints the portrait, which typically takes two to four months to complete. Throughout this period, the client receives digital image updates via email.
Professor University of Alabama Law School Birmingham, AL
President Manhattan College New York
Private Commission
Professor University of Alabama Law School Birmingham, AL
Sergei V. Chernikov has been a professional artist for over 25 years, creating art in various forms since his early childhood. He identifies primarily as a portrait artist, stating, “People are the most fascinating and challenging genre of painting due to the fluidity of expression that reveals a person's inner life.” He believes that “a portrait is not just a static arrangement of features but rather the subtle manifestations of character against the backdrop of outward appearance.”
In addition to portraiture, Chernikov is also successful in other genres of painting, particularly still lifes. He sees still lifes as more than a mere collections of objects; to him, they tell stories and showcase the interaction between nature and humanity, capturing invisible presences or celebrating the richness of taste, color, form and scent—in essence, the beauty of life.
While he primarily works with oils, Chernikov is also adept at using pastels, creating murals (including trompe l’oeil) and working with pencil and charcoal.
SELECTED COLLECTIONS & COMMISSIONS
Albert Einstein Healthcare, Philadelphia PA
Beverage Control Corp, Knoxville, TN
Chattanooga Tennessee Court
Court of Appeals, Knoxville, TN
Duke University, Raleigh, NC
East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
East Woods School, Oyster Bay, NY
EMJ Corporation, Chattanooga TN
Fitchburg State University, Fitchburg, MA
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta GA
Greeneville Tennessee Court
Harvard University, Cambridge MA
Kenosha County Court, WI
Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
Manhattan College, New York
Memphis Academy School, Memphis TN
Morristown Beard School, Morristown NJ
Perimeter College (GSU), Alpharetta, GA
Pilot Corporation, Knoxville, TN
Roosevelt University, Chicago, IL
St. Augustine, Chicago IL
State of Tennessee
Tennessee Supreme Court
University Club, New York, NY
University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL
University of South Carolina, School of Nursing, Columbia, SC
University of South Carolina, Law School, Columbia, SC
University of Tennessee, Health Science Center, Memphis,TN
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Watson & Roach Law Firm, Knoxville, TN
Numerous private commissions