Born in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1967, Misti started drawing and pastel painting when he was just 5 years old. Immediately he was noted for his tremendous talent with color. Recognizing this ability, his mother took him to the youth department of the world famous Hermitage Museum where Misti was accepted into the painting program for gifted children. The General Curator of the Hermitage, Professor B. Piotrovsky, saw Misti's paintings during an exhibition and requested to become his teacher. Misti was only seven years old then. In 1979, he began extensive studies at the prestigious art school, organized by the Academy of Fine Art of St. Petersburg, acknowledging gifted children of the arts. At age 17 he was accepted as a student of the Academy, and the Academy President, Professor B. Uvarov, chose Misti as his personal student. Graduating valedictorian from the Academy, his graduate work consisted of a series of seven paintings titled "Porch" for which he received the award of "Best Graduate of the Year". Misti began frequent travels abroad in 1993. He explored the countryside of France, Italy and Spain carrying his brushes and easel, sleeping in his sleeping bag at night and painting the glorious landscapes by day. He so enjoyed surrounding himself in the environment of Moret sur Loing and Bourron-Marlotte, where his favorite painters Renoir and Sisley had created their best paintings. It was during his travels through Spain that Misti developed his interest in the Art Nouveau style of such artists as Gaudi and Montaner. Only then did he try his hand painting portraits.