July 7, 2023
Interview with Julian Bruere
In this video, Emilio Longo interviews Australian realist watercolourist, Julian Bruere. Julian is an accomplished Melbourne-based watercolour painter and teacher who is well regarded for his workshops and demonstrations which he has delivered in art societies throughout Victoria since the early 2000s. Regularly exhibiting his work around Australia and internationally, Julian focuses on a range of subjects that vary from marine and maritime scenes, as well as portraits, however, he is best known for his landscapes that feature alpine snow gum trees. Receiving his formal training in graphic design from RMIT University in 1980, Julian’s formative years were spent working as an illustrator in various jobs that involved advertising, animation, storyboarding and retail illustration, as well as being a children’s book illustrator. In 2010, Julian made the decision to leave the commercial arts field altogether and thereafter, dedicated himself to painting and teaching full-time. Since then, he has passed on his wealth of knowledge on the watercolour medium to countless students through art societies and online teaching.
As well, Julian has become a distinguished art show judge around Melbourne, primarily at the Victorian Artists Society and local Rotary Art Shows. Julian is a past treasurer of the Victorian Artists Society, the Watercolour Society of Victoria and the Australian Watercolour Institute. He was also a member of the Twenty Melbourne Painters Society until February 2019. Julian has accumulated an impressive number of awards over the years, some of which include receiving the Best Traditional Work Mission to Seafarers ANL Maritime Award in 2009 and 2016, The Kenneth Jack Memorial Award in 2010 and 2014 and being the medallion winner of the Australian Guild of Realist Artists for 2013 and 2015. In 2020, Julian was the winner of the Australian Watercolour Muster and his watercolour paintings have been featured in The Art of Watercolour and Australian Artist magazine numerous times. Julian is also a regular Australian representative watercolour artist at the Fabriano Watercolour Biennial International Prize in Italy. In 2023, Julian was made the Victorian President of the Australian Society of Maritime Artists and currently, he is an Executive Committee Member. Topics discussed include, Julian’s early childhood and his interests in reading books such as 'Treasure Island' that sparked his interest in maritime art, having an encouraging artistic mother and his experiences with early teachers when studying graphic design in the late 1970s. Julian explains his time working different jobs during the pre-digital graphic design era, his philosophy on teaching and his thoughts on artists’ societies and rotary shows. His experiences of travelling, painting and exhibiting work around the world are also discussed in detail. Julian provides his professional insights into the craft of the watercolour medium, as well as sharing his idiosyncrasies on the handling of the medium and more generally, on his process of creating a painting. The professional side of an artist’s life is discussed and Julian shares his tips on developing as an artist, exhibiting and selling work. The interview is concluded with Julian providing insight into sharing a life in painting with his spouse, Australian artist Mary Hyde, as well as what lies ahead for a painter once they reach their prime.
Julian’s artist profile on the Victorian Artists Society’s Website: www.vasgallery.org.au
Julian's Email: julianbruereartist@gmail.com