Leonid Afremov was born in Vitebsk, Belarus in 1955. Displaying an aptitude for art at an early age, Afremov was encouraged to pursue his natural talent. Afremov then attended the Vitebsk Education Institute where he studied in the arts and graphics department. During his years at school, he was introduced to the works of Chagall, Picasso, and Dali, all of whom would heavily influence Afremov’s work. After completing his studies, Afremov worked as a label designer for a local beer and liquor factory and as a set designer for the local theater. The Cold War climate and the Communist regime was not a nurturing environment for Afremov’s creative process, and in 1990 he moved to Israel with his family. In Israel, Afremov also faced hardship for being a Russian immigrant, so Afremov moved his family again, this time to Florida. 

While in the United States, Afremov was able to find a market for his work, and he was able to express himself more artistically. Like Chagall, Afremov favors the use of a palette knife rather than a paintbrush, and he has painted prolifically since leaving Israel. Currently, Afremov lives and works in Play Del Carmon, Mexico where he spends much of his time painting in quiet.