FRIENDSHIP & THE ARTS

PART I

ARTISTS PAINTING ARTISTS

             “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

                                                                                                                   -Eleanor Roosevelt

After my wintertime get-away to experience Nature’s awesome silence and untouched beauty, I returned home to Colorado Springs to find myself surrounded by a barrage of constant political controversy. Even though I’m known as an art dealer, I consider myself to be a “social storyteller.” And, if you, like me have grown tired of social and political disharmony and long to take a time-out, I invite you to read my latest post– a behind the scenes account of long-time artistic friends, Richard Schmid, Nancy Guzik, Scott Burdick, Susan Lyon, and Michelle Dunaway.

A year or so ago, Scott, Susan, and Michelle visited Richard and Nancy’s New England studios and decided to paint together. Scott proposed the grand idea of filming Richard painting Michelle from life during an afternoon session. Richard was all in, and they set up and painted in Nancy’s beautiful north light studio.

During a break, Michelle wandered into the living room to the sounds of Richard playing piano. Here’s Michelle’s comments on her painting.

“Conversations With Chopin” Oil © Michelle Dunaway 2017

“The day I witnessed this moment I was enchanted upon hearing Richard playing Chopin at the piano. I quietly sat and listened as he played with joy, skill, and his typical artistic enthusiasm. Listening to a favorite artist and friend play music by a favorite composer was a truly inspiring moment that I knew must be captured in paint. It was as though, through the lilting melody and rhythms of the piano concerto, a conversation was taking place between two friends, bridging the work of two great artists across time.”

After two days of filming and a year or so perfecting the sound track with professional film editing, their collaborative efforts resulted in a brand-new video download titled: RICHARD SCHMID PAINTS MICHELLE DUNAWAY. In addition, Richard’s portrait of Michelle graced one of the walls in The Retrospective Exhibition I hosted for Richard last September in Denver, Colorado.

“Michelle Dunaway” Oil ©Richard Schmid 2014

When I told Richard about my idea for this new post, he asked me if I’d like a couple more images of his Portraits of Nancy. Needless to say, I graciously accepted…

The first is titled:

           “Nancy Painting” Oil 18″ x 24″ –

Page 58 of Alla Prima II, and the book cover image.©Richard Schmid.

The next is one of my all time favorites:

       “Nancy’s Velvet Cape” Detail, Oil 24″ x 40″ -Page 261 of Alla Prima II. ©Richard Schmid.

Richard said of this piece:

“On a personal note, this is one of the many paintings I have done of Nancy on New Year’s Day as our way of celebrating. We alternate; one year I paint her, the next year she paints me.”

I then asked Nancy for a quote on what inspired her to create her painting of Richard during a trip to our friend’s Inn on Cape Cod.

“Richard Schmid Painting at the Beach Rose Inn on Cape Cod” Oil 14″ x 11″ 2014

“Capturing this awesome day, along with Richard creating his world on canvas, made my heart quicken and my confidence soar.” Nancy Guzik 2017

Although I didn’t get a specific quote from Richard regarding his own inspiration for painting people from life, I believe this beautifully written passage from his chapter titled, “The Magic” reveals his personal view on the subject.

“My painting draws me into what has captivated me. Sometimes when the concentration is intense, my canvas seems to take on an irresistible momentum, unfolding almost as if it had a life of its own, and I become lost in the spectacle of what is occurring. It is like the moment when a runner reaches his or her stride, and running becomes effortless, like flying. Those are heady moments indeed, times to be savored. They are always a dramatic reminder to me that skill is only one of the prerequisites–part of the setup to unleash a poetic act–and my painting, with all of its involvement and complication, seems merely a record of the event.” Page 292 of Alla Prima II.

The portraits posted here by Richard Schmid, Nancy Guzik, and Michelle Dunaway represent their silent moments of joy. And, I am extremely grateful for this time to savor their inspired expressions of immense skill and beauty.

I’m also delighted to announce Richard Schmid will be the recipient of an award of distinction from the Portrait Society of America during the PSA Conference on April 21. The 2017 Excellence in Fine Art Education Award will be presented by Edward Jonas, Co-Founder and Chair:

“Representational Realism flourishes today and into the twenty-first century because of the dedication of accomplished and seasoned masters, such as Richard Schmid, to teaching and mentoring a new generation of rising artists. Such unselfish sharing of wisdom and vision should not only be heralded but also recognized. It is in this spirit that the Portrait Society of America is presenting Richard with its 2017 Excellence in Fine Art Education Award.”

“Portrait of Kristen Thies” Oil 16″ x 20″ ©Richard Schmid 2001

In conclusion, I’m also posting Richard’s portrait of myself inscribed: “For Kristen: The Dreamer.” I assure you I live my life by Eleanor Roosevelt’s noteworthy quote. I hope you too will never stop believing in the beauty of your dreams…

All my best,

Kristen

For more inspiration and to view Richard Schmid’s and Nancy Guzik’s original oils, as well as paintings by Kathy Anderson, Clyde Aspevig, Carol Guzman, Daniel J. Keys, and Judy Stach, and bronze sculpture by George Carlson, please visit my web site www.WestWindFineArt.com

For more information on the new release of Scott Burdick’s film, please log onto  https://RichardSchmid.FlickRocket.com

This production, videotaped by the artist and documentary filmmaker Scott Burdick, was initially done for Richard’s private archives. However, it was clear as the footage was reviewed, that this two-day session of Richard painting Michelle in the beautiful north light of Nancy Guzik’s studio, was far too valuable not to be shared with artists and art lovers worldwide.

The artists retain the copyright to their artwork worldwide…