Ivan was born in Nairobi, Kenya the early 1970's. His paternal grandparents had immigrated to East Africa, from Czechoslovakia, to get away from the Nazi invasion during World War II. Ivans maternal grandfather had brought his family to East Africa, from Denmark, in search of gold, in 1937.
Ivans parents met in Kenya. They married and started a family there. Ivan grew up surrounded by the natural beauty of Kenya and the bold patterns and designs of African tribes. One of Ivans first artistic memories was the Magna Doodle he was given at the age of six. He was enthralled with the infinite possibilities he could create.
Due to the unstable government of Kenya, Ivans family could not remain there. The government seized his familys passports in 1978. During this time, Ivans father, Milan Vesely, had been detained in prison, on several different occasions near and within Nairobi, on the count of false charges, which were later dropped. The Kenyan Air Force attempted a military coup in 1981 and at the same time Ivans mothers passport was returned, without explanation. This unrest posed immediate life threatening circumstances for Ivans family. Ivans mother fled to the United States, taking Ivan and his younger sister, leaving behind Ivans imprisoned father, their home, and all of their possessions.
In 1982, the false charges were dropped, Milan was released from prison and reunited with his family. Ivans family first lived in Arizona and became U.S. citizens. They then came to Texas.
Ivans terrifying experiences as a child, left him anxious and confused. Ivan was 9, or 10 when he first came to the States. Adjusting to a drastically different culture was not an easy task. Ivan found ways to fit in, but not always with the right crowd.
Ivans artistic ability became more evident during his High School years. He was given the opportunity to take Advanced Placement Art Classes. From there, Ivan took two years of art courses at a local junior college, thus ending any formal training.
Continuing to excel in creativity, Ivan works out of his home studio in the evenings and on his days off. He has shown in galleries, art shows, and fine arts festivals throughout the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. Ivan is determined to continue to paint and create art for the rest of his life, no matter what his circumstances are.