Originally from Seattle, Washington, Kerrie Brandau has lived and pursued her creative passions in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 25 years.
She currently studies both plein air and portrait painting in the oil medium, participating in weekly plein air painting sessions as a member of The Los Gatos Art Association. Her latest plein air paintings are currently on display at The Gallery Saratoga.
Some influences include 19th century Parisian impressionists and 21st century California plein air impressionists. The main inspirations behind her art are people and our ever changing environment.
Exploring the joys and challenges of these different painting styles has led Brandau on a journey of study through numerous workshops and private instruction. Currently she studies life painting (figurative and portrait) in San Francisco with portrait master Bob Gerbracht. Brandau has also attended the West Valley College art program, studied privately with former San Jose State Professor Lucy Sargent, and plein air artist Susan Hall.
Her work has been shown in juried shows at The Los Gatos Art Museum and The San Jose History Museum. Brandau’s latest achievement was winning first place in the oil painting category at a juried show for The Los Gatos Art Museum.
When asked what inspires her Brandau says, “The moment! You never know what life will bring into view which can evoke so many different feelings; be it a child’s smile or a simple landscape. Beauty is all around us. So truly my inspiration is the moment.”
Kerrie Brandau has private collectors throughout the U.S.