Len Chmiel

Artful Painter Podcast

Aug 27

Written By Carl Olson

Making it His Own

Episode 42

Episode length: 1 hour, 7 minutes

Also available on:
Apple Podcasts
Amazon Music
Spotify
YouTube

Len Chmiel has no interest in merely copying what he sees. He says that he allows his "intuition to speak.” His intention is to expand the boundaries of realism rather than merely painting a facsimile. While many artists lament having artist’s block or a lack of inspirational ideas, Len is not one of them. He is keenly interested in all that is around him and the possibilities that they present. He says there is more than a life-time of ideas awaiting his easel. He does not let others dictate what he should paint. Rather, he paints what interests him.

Len first appeared in episode 12 of the Artful Painter. I knew in having that first conversation with him that there was still much more to his story and experience. Thankfully Len reached out to me recently and said he was ready to talk. In this conversation Len shares his thoughts on the importance of knowing who you are as an artist. He discusses the importance of doing a mental reset when observing familiar things so that you see them with a fresh eye. He delves into the importance of experimentation and trying new things in order to grow as an artist.

Len’s entries into the 48th Annual Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition and Sale clearly demonstrate his virtuosity in developing new ideas in a painting. His three entries are a diverse range of subjects. One painting features scrub jays breakfasting on the rose hips of a spent wild rose bush (Scrub Jays Breakfast Menu… Rose Hips). Another painting shows aspens aglow with sunlight above a cool mountain stream (Solar Collectors). And another depicts lily pads calmly floating on the surface of a pond, basking in the sun (High Summer). These diverse, gorgeous paintings by Len Chmiel make it clear, he is intent on making each his own.

“I used to try to control everything but now I allow my intuition to speak. My intention is to expand the boundaries of realism rather than merely painting a facsimile.”

— Len Chmiel