Alexander "Sasha" Selytin was born in the small Russian town of Zolotuchino, not far from Moscow, to the family of an engineer who loved art and encouraged his son to pursue an artistic career. Selytin was fascinated with painting from an early age. He left his first masterpieces on fences, the walls of his parent's apartment and the pages of his school books. After high school, he decided to dedicate his life to painting. In 1978, he entered the Art School in Zeleznogorsk, Russia and after four years of training, graduated with honors and received an art teacher's diploma.

Starting his professional career by teaching at the school and working for various institutions as a commissioned painter, he later entered the most prestigious art school in Russia, The Academy of Fine Arts. Entering at the top of his class, in 1989 he had several paintings selected for student exhibitions in Moscow and New York. In 1989 and 1990, he was invited to exhibit his work in the United States.

Now living in Provo, Utah, Selytin enjoys working in all genres of painting, still life, landscape, or portraits.