Victor Chizhikov - Russian children's illustrator, author of the Olympic Bear

Chizhikov Victor Alexandrovich - People's Artist, drew illustrations in Murzilka, Around the World, Funny Pictures, worked on books and in various periodicals. The author of the famous Olympic Bear - the mascot of the Summer Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980.

Amazing illustrations of Chizhikov

Virtually everyone from childhood knows the pictures of Viktor Chizhikov. However, this does not mean that the artist's illustrations are the same: they have a unique style, they preserve their individuality and at the same time are full of caress and love.

In our time, children's books contain cruel drawings, and Victor Chizhikov tried to make his illustrations intolerable, and he, no doubt, turned out. The world he created was full of good and harmony, you can be in it without fear. Victor Chizhikov, an artist with a good heart, often said that meeting with a brutal world harms children, he said, the child's psyche should grow stronger before learning about horror stories and horror stories. He tried to make even the negative heroes ridiculous. Remember, for example, the illustration of the Wolf, who ate the Little Red Riding Hood.

Victor Chizhikov, whose biography is full of amazing stories, often read Chukovsky, whose novels strongly influenced his work. One example is Dr. Aibolit. In the book, which went to the artist, there were many terrible pictures, especially those moments where the boy lost his father, and scenes with pirates. Chizhikov still keeps that same book and admits that it was scary to read it. His daughter, he read a book with his own illustrations, and she was not afraid at all! Of course, because there's a terrible Barmalee sleeping with the magazine "Murzilka" at his side.

The beginning of the career of the famous artist

It was for the illustrations for Doctor Aibolit that Chizhikov was later awarded the Andersen Diploma. The artist recalls that at the ceremony he was given a diploma and a carnation, so it was according to the rules. And he remembered how he met Chukovsky in his childhood, and he gave him his bouquet.

It is not surprising that this event so strongly influenced little Victor that he was fond of Chukovsky and adopted from him the ability to understand children, love of children's literature, critical attitude to their work and sincere curiosity and admiration for the surrounding world.

Therefore, in the 1960s Viktor Chizhikov began to illustrate children's books. He remembers this time with love: then the books were allowed to re-enter the fantasy and allowed the artists to take the initiative. His first drawings were published in such magazines as "Crocodile", "Around the World" and "Week". Later, his talent was recognized as "Murzilka" and "Funny Pictures". From the very beginning of the work Chizhikov was enthralled, they were so bright.

Work in the Murzilka

Once the favorite magazine of the majority of Russians was "Murzilka". Victor Chizhikov has been working there for over 50 years and often shares his memories of how it all began.

When he and his friends were young, they often gathered in the morning at work and brainstormed. Any ideas that came to my mind were voiced without fear of being mocked. So they got original, memorable numbers. For example, Chizhikov's favorite number was called "Big and small rivers". One of the artists just invited everyone to describe their favorite childhood river, and the team began work on the idea.

Like everyone else, Victor drew Murzilka. Many probably noticed that this character always looked different: Murzilka lives by himself, and artists paint his life's path. For example, in one room Murzilka has a scarf of flowers of the Russian flag, and in the other - just blue. The artist simply explains this by the fact that the character often changes his mood.

Restriction in creativity

Several times, however, Chizhikov was reprimanded for disobedience. For example, he was commissioned to draw an illustration of the famous poem by Agniya Barto "There were grandmothers of 40 grandchildren." He drew 15, the rest just did not fit. The magazine came out with a circulation of more than 6 million, and letters poured into the office with questions about the remaining grandchildren. Then the editor-in-chief came and said: "40, it must be 40". Now Chizhikov smiles, remembering this, and says that he finished the grandchildren and the dog in addition.

History of the Olympic Bear

Chizhikov recalls that one of the leaders of the Union of Artists told him that a competition for the mascot of the Olympics is taking place. At that time, the creators of the contest had already received 40,000 options and could not find the right one. However, children's artists did not participate. Chizhikov and his friends gathered at work and began drawing bears. At that time, these were just sketches, friends drew about a hundred pieces.

A lot of sketches would have been lying on the table if the head had not been called up and asked to provide an option for the Olympic Committee. So he did. And when he returned, he said that Viktor's image had been approved, and a month later he was put to the vote.

Now, very few people remember that in the late 1970s a vote was taken for the best talisman, and Chizhikov's bear was almost caught up with the drawing of an elk. However, in the end, the work received the most votes, and Victor Chizhikov won. The artist did not yet know what this creation would turn out to be.

This image brought Chizhikov many problems. After the Olympics, it was used everywhere, without asking permission from the author. For example, he even had to sue NTV for the exploitation of the image. That court Chizhikov lost, his authorship was not recognized. Television operators used the bear in a very extravagant way: then as a tattoo, then as an image of a stripper. Total talisman was in 33 editions.

Chizhikov is the kindest artist

According to Victor, in our time children, spoiled with a lot of toys and gadgets, appreciate sincerity and kindness. I want to believe that he is right and his work will continue with new artists who will give children new fairy tales.