Richard Schmid was born in Chicago, Illinois in 1934. His
earliest artistic influence came from his maternal grandfather,
Julian Oates, an architectural sculptor. Richard’s initial
studies in landscape painting, figure drawing, and anatomy
began at the age of twelve and continued into classical
techniques under William H. Mosby at the American
Academy of Art in Chicago.

Mosby, a graduate of the Belgian Royal Academy in Brussels
and the Superior Institute in Antwerp, was a technical expert
on European and American realism. Studies with him involved
working exclusively from life, at first using the conceptual and
technical methods of the Flemish, Dutch, and Spanish masters,
and eventually all of the late 19th century European and
American painters. The emphasis in each period was on Alla
Prima, or Direct Painting systems of the various periods.
However, Richard’s individual style and the content of his work
developed along personal lines.

In 2005, Richard Schmid was presented with the Gold Medal
award from the Portrait Society of America during their annual
portrait conference held in Washington DC. Richard is also the
recipient of an honorary doctorate degree from the Lyme
Academy College of Fine Arts in Old Lyme, CT.

At ceremonies hosted by the American Society of Portrait
Artists in the Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium in the
Metropolitan Museum of Art in 2000, Richard Schmid received
the John Singer Sargent Medal for Lifetime Achievement.
Richard Ormond, Sargent’s grandnephew, presented the award.
In May 2005, Schmid received the prestigious gold-medal award
from The Portrait Society of America at their annual conference
held in Washington, DC.

Throughout his career, Richard Schmid has promoted art
education through his books, articles, workshops, seminars, and
television presentations. He travels widely in the Western
Hemisphere for his subjects, and currently lives in Vermont with
his wife, the painter Nancy Guzik. Richard Schmid’s work is
represented by West Wind Fine Art. For more information
contact: Kristen Theis, Co-owner of www.WestWindFineArt.com.

Casey Baugh’s early interest in his art played a key role
in laying the groundwork for his future artistic career. After his 4
year tenure under the great master Richard Schmid, Baugh’s
apprenticeship and friendship with Mr. Schmid further prepared
him for his future artistic destiny.

Explains Baugh, “I’ve been studying Richard’s work since I was
13. And I decided at one point that I would do whatever it took
to meet him. So, I drove from where I was living in Georgia to
Vermont, showed him my portfolio, and he invited me back the
next weekend to paint.” The rest, as they say, is history. As they
painted together, Schmid recognized Baugh’s talent and
commitment. In time, Schmid offered to mentor Baugh on a
one-to-one basis. As he matures as an artist, Baugh is gaining
recognition in his own right. He won the 2005 Drawing Cover
Competition and was a finalist in the 2008 American Artist
Cover Competition. He was most recently a finalist in the 2008
Portrait Society of America’s National Portrait Competition.
Baugh has taught workshops in various venues.
Casey Baugh's work is represented by Wendt Gallery. For
more information please visit www.WendtGallery.com