Senior Moments, Gifted Hands:
November 19, 2009
Artist Carl Braun
Senior Moments. By Carol Hutson
Looking to the sky many simply see blue or gray depending on the weather. Artists observing this scene would be inspired by the beauty of the different colors captured within. Studying the sky you will find shades of blue, purple and sometimes green. Windblown clouds stretched across the horizon like angel hair flowing in the wind. Storm clouds cast shadows of gray, charcoal, silver and purple from one to the next, as sunbeams gently find their way to the ground, as God’s radiance flows gracefully down to embrace his earth.
I have had the pleasure of making the acquaintance of one such artist, Carl Lawrence Braun, an ex-marine fighter pilot of five years, retired Xerox executive of 34 years, and now the director of a non-profit horse farm where Autistic and handicapped children, and military veterans with PTSD benefit from their equine therapy. Horses have now taken on a different meaning for this very talented artist.
Carl grew up in southern Connecticut and received inspiration from his mother who was well known in the community for her oil and pastel paintings mostly portraitures. From an early age, Carl was encouraged to draw and take lessons. Carl took several painting lessons with Frank Sexton of New Haven. While attending college at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY, Carl briefly switched his curriculum to architecture, which brought him into contact with the works of Ted Kautsky, who drew amazing renderings with the broadside of the pencil.
Finding inspiration from a variety of artists such as French Impressionists Pissaro, Boudin, Sisley and Monet, Carl was also influenced by artists Sanford Gifford, Albert Bierstadt. John Constable and Emile Gruppe as well, Carl was led to become an avid collector of many of his favorite artists works.
In 1996, anticipating retirement, Carl enrolled in an oil painting class with artist Diane Tessler, a faculty member of the Art League School in Alexandria, Virginia. Diane became his mentor and teacher for the next 10 years also studying with Kurt Schwartz, Robert Liberace and Susan Abbott rounding out his art education. Carl states, “My favorite subjects are found in nature and I find endless challenges in the limitless variety of scenery and lighting effects that transform ordinary subjects into breathtaking drama.” Carl has exhibited his work at the Torpedo Factory gallery, has won some awards and has sold his paintings to private collectors.
While on a recent trip to Nova Scotia, Carl found beautiful coastal scenery in Mahoney Bay and Penny’s Cove, stating “I have enough photographs to keep me busy in the winter but it will entail a plein aire trip back there in the spring before I can finish them.”
Very recently Carl placed three of his paintings for sale in our now very popular antique shop and art gallery, Timeless Trends, located on Main Street here in Thurmont. Carl states, “It is my aim, after some encouragement, to actively market my paintings.”
Carl has also recently become a member of the Frederick Arts Council, located on Market Street in Frederick City and will exhibit his work in the Members Only exhibit, during the month of December.
Treasured Moment for Carl: ” The look of astonishment and pleasure when he gave his brother, Ted, a painting he completed of a waterfall on Mt. Washington where they had hiked the year before.
Senior Moments for Carl: He has recently completed a waterscape of Great Falls of which he is very excited,”In my opinion, it represents a new level of accomplishment and I hope my subsequent paintings will continue this pattern”, Carl states with enthusiasm.
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