Lon Brauer
Biography
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. 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, 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.
Education
MFA – Painting 2007
Fontbonne University St. Louis, MO
MA – Painting 2006
Fontbonne University St. Louis, MO
BFA – Painting 1980
Washington University St. Louis, MO
Memberships
Oil Painters of America – Signature
American Impressionist Society – Signature Outdoor Painters Society – Signature
American Society of Marine Artists – Signature
Heartland Art Club – Signature
Portrait Society of America
Awards
Best of Show – Art Saint Louis, Sin City – 2024
EPAT Plein Air Founders’ Award – Plein Air Texas – 2023
Peoples’ Choice Award – Plein Air Texas – 2023
3rd Place Award – Cape Ann Plein Air – 2023
Best Western – Plein Air Salon – August 2023
Best of Show Peer Review Award – Bath County Plein Air – 2023
Medici Award – Bath County Plein Air – 2023
2nd Place Nocturne – Paint Annapolis – 2023
Artist Choice – Mountain Maryland – 2023
Best Use of Light – Mountain Maryland – 2023
Award of Merit – First Brush of Spring – 2023
Best Plein Air Oil – Plein Air Salon – Oct 2022
Award of Excellence – NOAPS, International Online Show – 2022
Award of Excellence – Art Saint Louis, The Exhibition – 2022
Best Western – Plein Air Salon – September 2022
Impressionist HM – Oil Painters of America National Exhibit – 2022
Artists Choice – Paint Annapolis – 2022
1st Place Nocturne – Paint Annapolis – 2022
Award of Merit – Plein Air Southwest – 2022
Judges Choice – Plein air Easton – 2021
Best in Show – CLA – 2021
2nd Place Award – Paint Annapolis – 2021
Best of Show – First Brush of Spring – 2021
Best of Show – Cedarhurst Biennial – 2021
Artist Choice – Bath County Plein Air – 2021
2nd Place Award – Bath County Plein Air – 2021
Judges Choice – Lighthouse Plein Air – 2021
1st Place quick paint – Lighthouse Plein Air – 2021
Curators Choice Award – Lighthouse Plein Air – 2021
Best Drawing – Plein Air Salon – May 2021
3rd Place – Plein Air Salon – June 2021
Best Drawing – Plein Air Salon – July 2021
Best Western – Plein Air Salon – October 2021
Best Architecture – Plein Air Salon – October 2021
2nd Place Award – MVIS Online Membership Show – 2021
1st Place Award – OPS Members Show – 2020
Best Drawing – Plein Air Salon – July 2020
