Known nationally for his sensual figurative paintings Bill Brauer grew up in Queens, New York knowing from an early inspiration that he would be an artist. He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York and was a protégé of renowned surrealist painter, Federico Castellón.
Brauer’s first years as an artist were as a successful illustrator where competition pushed him to rigorously apply his intellect and imagination to his work. He continued to use the design concepts he learned as an illustrator throughout the remainder of his career. In the early 1960s, Brauer became involved in printmaking. His first major show was in 1974, with the Associated American Artists New Talent in Printmaking exhibition. From this starting point, he gained increasing acclaim. His work was selected for the permanent collection of the Brooklyn Museum and was featured in the 19th Annual Print Exhibition. In 1976 he received an individual grant from the Vermont Council of the Arts. Having long harbored the deep desire to be a serious painter, Brauer began to concentrate exclusively on painting. By the late 1980s, his work had won mounting success and was exhibited extensively across the United States in both solo and group exhibitions.
Brauer’s paintings are highly evocative and moody, with deep intense colors and beautifully rendered curves of fabric or human forms. His works depict women and are often suggestive of a charged and compelling narrative. The pieces are usually illuminated by a single light source, which cast long translucent shadows that seem to take on a presence of their own, adding yet another layer of mystery.
Bill Brauer was one of Vermont’s most successful artists; highly popular with private collectors around the globe. He was also a gifted and generous teacher who enjoyed helping others become better artists. He taught classes at The University of Vermont, Goddard College, and Vermont College and, for 40 years, inspired numerous students in a weekly private life drawing class.