Arthur Braud

Arthur Braud is a Vietnamese American artist born and raised in Kalamazoo, MI. From a very early age, Braud was deemed a young perfectionist by those that surrounded him. He had a strong desire to be perfect at everything, but continually lacked self confidence and self value. His happiness was enshrouded by his own personal dissatisfaction at the mere age of 4.

Heavily influenced by portraiture artists such as Lucian Freud & Giacometti, Braud started to find self value at age 16. This is when he picked up his first drawing tool. After mastering observational drawing techniques in graphite & charcoal, Braud began to use his feeling of dissatisfaction and self destruction for self reflective work. He started with drawing, moved to oil & acrylic painting, then eventually made his way to watercolor in 2013. Though many are often surprised by the solemness in his creations, Braud uses his past struggles with his own acceptance as inspiration for his work.

For the entirety of his career, Braud has constantly juxtaposed the ideas of beauty and devastation. Braud portrays his subjects as psychological existences, rather than social beings. He focuses on the psychological state of humanity to instantly connect individuals through visual representation. Braud’s new line of work is a reflection of self-identity in his social surroundings. Using “feminine” motifs, Braud aims to embrace the beauty of femininity, while also exploring its societal negative connotations and the role it plays on his natural spirit.

Braud has participated over 20 gallery showings, including the Grand Rapids Art Prize, and has curated 10+ exhibitions. He has been the president of multiple fine art organizations and galleries in both Kalamazoo, MI and Portland, OR. Braud's passion for human connection and psychology, has enabled him to provided funded workshops to communities in his hometown. Braud currently resides in Chicago, IL where he works as a portrait photographer, teaches watercolor, exhibits at local galleries, and participates in fairs/events.