Len Chmiel’s evocative paintings push the boundaries of realism, while preserving the beauty of the landscape and infusing it with palpable emotion. Chmiel makes his home in Hotchkiss, Colorado, where he not only paints, but also gardens, tends his vineyard and makes wine. Gardening profoundly affects his art. He has a strong yearning to get his fingers into the dirt. Nurturing a living thing from a tiny seed and watch it grow into a beautiful plant stirs such a deep emotional response within him. To Chmiel, gardening encourages optimism. If a plant fails this season, then perhaps in the next season he can do better. He finds the same is true with painting. At first a concept for a painting may not work. However, seeing it through may reward the painter with a painting that captures the essence of his subject and move him to tears. In this episode of the Artful Painter, Chmiel explains that successful paintings start with a clear concept and good design. He talks about the importance of painting on the spot and how doing so forms a connection with the place and subject - connections and memories that still inform larger works completed in the studio years later. Len Chmiel does not like to call himself an artist - he prefers to call himself a painter. Many artists who I have spoken with agree that Len Chmiel is one of the finest painters – yes, one of the finest artists – in America today. I’m glad to be able to share with you this conversation. Links: Len Chmiel Website: https://lenchmiel.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lenchmiel/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lenchmiel/ Book: An Authentic Nature (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/2IIXef8 About the Artful Painter: Artful Painter website: https://theartfulpainter.com Send me an email: https://carlolson.tv/contact Artful Painter Sketchbooks: https://carlolson.tv/artful-painter-sketchbooks Carl Olson on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.creative/