Beginning in 1983 Nancy Guzik studied at The American Academy of Art in Chicago and The Lyme Academy of Fine Art in Old Lyme, Connecticut. However, it was her close association and ensuing relationship with Richard Schmid that brought her painting to its full potential. She first met Richard when he awarded her first prize from the Midwest Pastel Society. She later witnessed his work when he gave demos at the American Academy and subsequently studied with him for many years at the Palette & Chisel Academy of Fine Arts.

Says Guzik, “Learning from Richard is to understand how to question your way through your painting. I am always learning from Richard, both in art and life. However, having found my voice now, I take all that I have learned, place that knowledge in the oven, while I cook my new painting in front of me.”

Nancy and Richard married in April of 1998.

Her art has been recognized with many awards, including The Award of Excellence from the Women Artist's of the West, a national art association at their 38th annual exhibition in Chicago. She also won the Grand Prize from International Artist Magazine, three Gold Medals from the Palette & Chisel Academy, and First Prize from the Midwest Pastel Society.

Guzik is also a member of the Cecilia Beau Forum, and is invited into their prestigious Exhibition being hosted by The Portrait Society of America at the Butler Institute of American Art in September 2010.

Her painting, “Oscar” was chosen for one of the 2009 covers of The Portrait Society of America’s Journal that also featured several of her best figurative works. In addition, Guzik’s art has been celebrated in major publications such as International Artist Magazine, Fine Art Connoisseur, American Artist, Art of the West, Art Talk, and Southwest Art.

In addition, her paintings appear in the best selling book, Wisdom & the Dreamer: Achieving Fulfillment in the Arts (published by West Wind Fine Art) and Patrons Without Peer: The McCloyCollection (published by Collector’s Covey).

As one of the directors of the Putney Painters of Vermont, she has transformed the careers of many aspiring painters. In addition to appearing in many noteworthy exhibitions, her paintings grace the collections of art lovers worldwide.

Selected List of Exhibitions:

* American Masters Exhibition, Salmagundi Club, May 2010
* Quiet Expressions of Joy, Paintings and Drawings by Nancy Guzik, presented by West Wind Fine Art, March 2010
* Richard Schmid & His Influence, Exhibition theme: Childhood Innocence, presented by West Wind Fine Art, June 2009
* The Richard Schmid Art Auction, Bellvue, Colorado West
* Wind Fine Art Gallery, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
* The Governor's Invitational Show, Loveland, Colorado
* Settler's West Invitational, Tucson, Arizona
* The Boston International Fine Art Show, Boston, Massachusetts
* The Harvard Club, Boston, Massachusetts
* Salon d'Arts, Denver, Colorado
* The Manchester Invitational Exhibition, Manchester, Vermont
* Palette & Chisel Academy, Chicago, Illinois
* The Southern Vermont Arts Center, Manchester, Vermont
* The Hollister Corporation, Libertyville, Illinois
* The Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, Vermont
* The Village Arts of Putney, Vermont

In addition her paintings grace the collections of art lovers worldwide