Lon Brauer

Lon Brauer

Lon Brauer is an award winning American artist known for his work in figure and plein air landscape. He has a BFA from Washington University and an MFA from Fontbonne University – both in St. Louis, Missouri.

Early interests were in biology and earth sciences that offered subject for his artwork as he developed. Starting college as a biology major he soon switched to art as a primary focus concentrating on both painting and graphic design. “Dad was a pharmacist and I was tapped to do the same but I had leaned heavy on art throughout my early years and that was where the passion lived.“

in 1980 Lon landed a gig with a photography studio that eventually turned into a 30-year career as one of St. Louis’s top shooters. Through the years he worked with both advertising agencies and design firms in the St. Louis area shooting product and photo illustration for print. Working with large format cameras set up a unique way of seeing imagery through the rectangle of a ground glass.  Upside-down images, swings and tilts, lenses of various focal lengths, dramatic lighting, multiple exposure, and darkroom razzle-dazzle. Theatre in the making. 

Then the digital age of photography came along. By 2005 film was out and JPGs were in. Lon saw this as the perfect time to finally throw his full weight into making paintings and leave the photo days behind. After all, that was the original plan! A career change has its challenges but the great foundation of image making with camera and viewfinder supported the transition. The language of painting came back and Lon was off and running building a new and exciting portfolio!

Lon Brauer has shown his work both nationally and overseas. He holds signature membership with Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society, Pastel Society of America, Outdoor Painters Society, and American Society of Marine Artists. He travels extensively with top plein air events each season. When home, he is in studio painting and sculpting. He holds frequent workshops where he teaches drawing and painting through figurative themes. Lon Brauer Studios is in Granite City, IL where Lon lives with his partner, quillwork artist Djuana Tucker.

About the EPAT Ranch Fellowship...

I have had the good fortune to participate in several past EnPleinAirTexas competitions. San Angelo and the surrounding area has become a home away from home for me. The people I have met and the things I have seen have played a big part in how I have developed as the painter I am today.

A typical plein air event carries with it certain limitations. There are rules that each artist must follow to keep within the constraints of the event. These limitations, although necessary, compel the artist to make compromises in his approach to the art making.

This fellowship, however, will offer an opportunity for me to truly stretch. It will allow me an avenue to incorporate all the skills that I have developed over the years, both in and out of the studio, and then take it all into new directions. Painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, and perhaps even video can all be brought into play if there are no guard rails.

My forte is in figure. The figure in painting tells a story. A story that we can all relate to.

The landscape of the west is closely tied to the men and women that live and work upon it. I feel that one cannot truly be represented without the other. I am drawn to the spirit of the working individual and the imagery that exemplifies the activity.

I feel the responsibility of an artist is to strive to bring something new to the table. If the artist can combine traditional imagery with a contemporary sensibility, new and exciting work will land on the wall.
- Lon Brauer

'Boot Maker', ML Leddy's

Ranch cactus

'Cowboy Girl', Heartsill Ranch