Richard Schmid

Artwork submitted for bid 
at our September 6, 2009 auction:

"Sammy's Pansies"
16"x20", Oil
Gallery Price: Priceless
Minimum Bid: $15,000

"Summer Rose"
12"x8", Oil on Panel
Gallery Price: Priceless
Minimum Bid: $5,000

Richard Schmid was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1934 where he received his education. He was influenced by his grandfather  Julian Oates., an Architectural Sculptor, and began drawing and even painting before the age of ten. Initial studies in landscape painting, figure drawing. and anatomy began at the age of twelve and at fourteen, he studied under landscape painter Gianni Cilfone, who helped him refine his painting skills and introduced him to color theory.

A milestone in Schmid's development came in 1952 when he enrolled at the American Academy of Art in Chicago. There he learned the classical techniques of the early Dutch. Flemish, and Spanish masters from William H. Mosby, who had studied at the Royal Academy in the 1920's and later at the Superior Institute in Antwerp. Mosby was a technical expert on European and American realism and taught Schmid everything he knew about the late nineteenth century Italian, French, Slavic, Scandinavian, and American painters. The emphasis in all periods was on Alla Prima or Direct Painting systems of the time. Fidelity to perception of the subject at the moment of painting was set as the goal of Direct Painting. Extreme accuracy and speed were developed and Schmid's Individual style and techniques emerged as a consequence. 

Developed over many years, Schmid's current methods can be identified technically by a characteristic precision of draftsmanship and lavish color. The content of' hispainting derives mainly from his personal experiences and convictions. He views painting as a unique form of language. Very early in his career, Schmid rejected abstractionas an ineffective method of communication. He chose instead the symbolism inherent in realism to convey his ideas. Schmid draws upon his interest in music. history, philosophy, teaching, traveling and personal relationships for his subject matter.After military service, Schmid moved to New York in 1958 where he painted and exhibited for two years before moving his studio to western Connecticut. There he married and settled down to raise a family, (three girls), and pursue his creative ideas. During this time he traveled and painted extensively throughout tile United States., Central and South America, the Caribbean, and parts of Europe.

Then, after a seven year reunion with his hometown of Chicago, Schmid moved to Colorado in 1991. He currently resides in Southern Vermont , with his wife the talented painter, Nancy Guzik. Schmid says the peaceful setting affords him the opportunitv to paint still lifes, landscapes, and figures exclusively from life. In his painting and teaching, Schmid has championed the idea working directly from nature Using techniques that allow the artist to capture both the color and the details of a subject in one sitting.

During his distinguished career, Schmid has influenced thousands of artists bv his writing, teaching. and artwork. He has long been recognized as a master of direct alla prima (one-session) painting. He is the author of two previous books published by Watson Guptill in 1971 and 1973. Both books became best sellers is well as standard textbooks in the United States. His first volume on landscape painting, was summarized in an August 1971 article in American Artistmagazine, and his 1973 book oil painting the nude, sold 250,000 copies in China. Unfortunatelv, this book was reproduced without his permission.

His latest volume entitled, ALLA PRIMA- Everything I Know about Painting, was published in 1998 by Stove Prairie Press. It has been sold to artists in 30 countries throughoutthe world as well as to painters. collectors., libraries, and museums in America. The 4th printing, is scheduled for publication in the summer of 2000.

Since 1958 Richard Schmid has won every major art award in the United States, including, the American Watercolor gold medal. In 1987 he was honored with the $100,000 National Arts in the Parks award for his oil painting, "Rocky Mountain National Park- Mountain Stream". The painting is featured on the first official 1988 National Park Stamp. In recent years, Schmid has conducted an ongoing series of lecture demonstrations and has established art scholarships from the proceeds.

Richard Schmid has had fifty one person shows including a major retrospective at the Thomas Gilcrease Museum of Art.His works have been acquired by important private and museum collections nationwide and his work has been a part of group exhibitions in the United States and China.

SELECTED EXHIBITIONS & MUSEUM COLLECTIONS

-The Smithsonian Institution
-The Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
-The Art Institute of Chicago
-The Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts
-The National Academy of Design
-Beijing Exhibition Center, Peoples Republic of China
-The American Watercolor Society
-The Thomas Gilcrease Museum of American Art 
-The Frye Museum 
-The Allied Artists of America 
-The Colorado Historical Society 
-The Butler Institute of American Art 
-Project Hope Exhibitions 
-The Holter Museum 
-The Palette and Chisel Academy of Fine Arts 
-St. Louis Artists Guild 
-The Loveland Museum 
-Southern Vermont Art Center

Other links to Richard Schmid:
http://www.richardschmid.com/

 

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