An Inspired Chat with Judith Braun

Judith Braun shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Judith, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is a normal day like for you right now?
First, I feel fortunate that I can have what one might call, a “normal day”, as nothing seems normal right now. At least I’m not expecting to be grabbed off the street by masked agents—yet. So, for now, I’m an early-riser, waking up about 5 a.m., when I lay in bed and gather my thoughts. It seems to be an important time for me when ideas and solutions clarify. It’s as if I’m in touch with a broader level of my own consciousness when I first wake up, maybe things have been dreamt or sorted out in my sleep. Then, after some morning routine, I enter my art making zone, mentally and physically. My studio is in my house so it’s easy to begin working. From about 7 am to 4 pm I am usually free to work, which is often a mix of trial and error, thinking and problem solving— always reaching for degrees of satisfaction by the end of the day. I like to leave the studio feeling good. Aiming for that has a way of making it happen.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
As an independent artist I don’t really think of my work as having a “brand” in the commercial sense of the word. It’s my contention that if an artist is thinking of the consumer then they are making a product, not art. So, I don’t like to categorize what I am doing, but with that said, I think there are some things that make my work recognizable. For over twenty years I’ve been using carbon mediums and symmetry as the parameters of my work and this has led down several seemingly divergent trajectories. For example, I do small, abstract symmetrical drawings with graphite pencils on paper, and I also do large-scale charcoal fingerprint wall drawings, using my symmetrical body as a drawing tool. And I also use photocopying (aka Xerox) that uses carbon-based toner, filling walls with individual prints to form a large image. Another aspect of my work that might be considered my “brand” is my “bad girl” persona, stemming from my being in the iconic Bad Girls show, at New Museum of Contemporary Art, NY, in 1994, curated by the late Marcia Tucker. That attitude winds through much of what I do, even if it is just in the titling I use. For example, “Read My Pussy”, and “Crazy Bitch” are two of my exhibition titles.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who taught you the most about work?
I think I got this key message from my father…that freedom comes through self-discipline. In our conversations about the “freedom” I was seeking in my early twenties, it became clear to me that freedom actually involved making choices, not just leaving things to passing whims. I realized, paradoxically, that free will meant the freedom to choose. This philosophy underlies my work now because I choose to work within rules, but they are rules of my own choosing. I hope that circular thinking make sense!

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
This is a common issue for artists—overcoming the most discouraging periods and not giving up. For me I literally did give up in 1995, even though I had arrived at “emerging” artist status in New York City. But at the same time I had also gotten divorced and was facing financial insecurity. At first I took (what I thought would be) a short break, but it ended up being nine years before I felt confidently solvent. At that point I was 57 years old and I feared it was too late to return to my earlier art life. So, facing this dilemma, I inquired in my “2003 Tarot Card Life Evaluation” about what to do and I got “The Lovers” card, which can represent making a decision around “love”. At that moment I knew I had to choose to return to my first love —Art. So, I committed myself to a 3-year plan to make new work, new friends and to show again. The rest is history! I soon succeeded in all those goals, by determination, dedication, and no second guessing.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think that my closest friends see me as committed entirely to making and sharing art. I think they would also note that I go to as many events as I can—to share my friends’ exhibitions and to see as much art as possible, locally and in New York City. And, I am known to be open and express my opinions and I like the same from my friends.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
Haha…I hope people say I was an innovative, devoted, and courageous artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.judithannbraun.com
• Instagram: judithannbraun
• Facebook: Judith Ann Braun
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=judith+braun++edirp+and+ecidujerp
• Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/showcase/4842554