The Art of Publishing

Nestled away in the foothills of the great Rockie Mountains, just outside Roosevelt National Forest, lies a magical place. It's filled with cowboys, carpenters, scientists, artists, writers, ranchers, abundant wildlife, tall trees, and creeks that turn into raging rivers when it rains. It is a place that is both quietly and dramatically beautiful. During the 1990s, it was home to my father, Richard Schmid. He lived off a quiet mountain drive called Stove Prairie Road. When he was not painting the people and places around him, he wrote an extraordinary book relaying everything he knew about painting - Alla Prima.

In 1998, after 15 years of preparation, My Father was finally ready to share his painting book with the world. The big publishing houses did not want to touch Alla Prima with a ten-foot pole. They didn't think his audience was big enough to turn a profit. They didn't get it! He did not write Alla Prima to make a publishing house rich. He wrote Alla Prima to give back to the community that had given him so much throughout his life. Alla Prima was his opportunity to pay it forward. In his words, "I have always felt I was a custodian of this knowledge rather than its owner. Painting has been my dearest friend for almost 50 years now. My skills and the freedom to use them are the most precious gifts I have. They opened up a world that few others ever have the opportunity of experiencing. I hope that this book will help open the door to that world for you as well. Godspeed." With those words, Stove Prairie Press® was born. Richard's newly formed independent publishing company became the vehicle to launch Alla Prima - Everything I know about painting, by Richard Schmid.

Thanks to the tremendous success of Alla Prima, Stove Prairie Press® added five additional books, ten videos, and 26 limited edition lithographs to the repertoire of Schmid publications. Stove Prairie Press® proudly supports American Industry for production, and we ship worldwide. Three simple but powerful concepts drive the company: promote excellence in art, place the customer above the company and make it in America.

After 16 years and 13 printings, Alla Prima was retired and replaced with Alla Prima II - The Expanded Edition, a major revised and expanded edition of the original Alla Prima. Once again, Alla Prima II's success exceeded all expectations prompting a second printing one week after its official launch. There was an audience for this information, after all.

On April 19, 2021, my father passed away peacefully at the age of 86. He spent his life living his dream. He left behind his wife Nancy Guzik, three wonderful daughters, and three grandchildren.

Thank you for supporting our efforts to promote excellence in art. It is a pleasure to serve this great family of artists, students, and art lovers.

Best regards,

Molly Schmid

Vice President, Stove Prairie Press®