Vladimir Kush was born in Russia, near the Moscow forest-park, Sokolniki. Vladimir began attending art school at age seven, where he would stay late and eventually became acquainted with works of great Renaissance artists, Impressionists and Modern artists. When he was 17, he began his education at the Moscow Higher Art and Craft School. However, this venture was short lived because a year later he was drafted for the Army. After six months of military training, his unit commander thought it was more fitting to use Vladamir's artistic talents for more peaceful tasks, primarily creating propaganistic posters. Upon finishing his military service and graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts, times were very hard in Russia, and he supported his family by painting portraits on Arabat Street.

In 1987 Vladimir began partaking in his first exhibitions organized by the Union of Artists. In 1990, at an exhibition in Coburg, Germany, almost all of his displayed paintings were sold. After the exhibition's close, Vladimir flew to Los Angeles, CA, where 20 of his works would be exhibited. This began his journey as an artist in the United States, his "American Odyssey". While in Los Angeles, he worked from a small rented garage, but had a difficult time finding places to display his paintings; he, therefore, began drawing portraits on the Santa Monica pier to earn money. Once he had raised enough money, he was able to buy a ticket to Hawaii, Vladimir Kush's "Promised Land".