Throughout his career as a painter, author, and teacher, Richard Schmid has pursued what is known as the Grand Manner — a certain mingling of virtuosity and joy in art — and that nowhere is the Grand Manner more effective than when painting is done from life. This idea, stemming from The Golden Age of Painting, is the core of his art and his teaching. After more than 50 one-man exhibitions, numerous articles, books and workshops, he has demonstrated that Art can be beautiful and meaningful at the same time. He currently has three new books in progress. Richard lives with his wife, the painter, Nancy Guzik in rural New England.