Although beloved in this country for his fanciful yet exquisitely detailed, realistic images of cats in repose, Bralds’ illustrious career includes many other accomplishments in both national -- and international -- commercial, as well as fine art. It all started in The Netherlands, where Braldt grew up in Rotterdam, fell in love with art, and impressed his countrymen with one success after another in the advertising art field. His fame preceded him to the United States, where, on a two-month visit during 1978, he was commissioned to do a cover for Time.

It was a prestigious start that gave Bralds a “feeling of good fortune,” so he moved to America. His work appeared in everything from Newsweek to TV Guide and from Rolling Stones to National Geographic. But, in addition to his advertising and illustration work, Bralds was also dedicated to fine art.

And he has more than his share of muses. While one inspires him to paint whimsical cats, another urges him to express his more serious, contemplative side. Bralds’ series of remarkable “rock paintings” which explore relationships and romance, has been honored with a one-man show at the eminent Gerald Peters Gallery in Santa Fe.

Bralds has received three gold medals as well as the Hamilton King Award from the Society of Illustrators. One of the artist’s highest honors was being inducted into the Holland Illustrators Hall of Fame in 1998. Braldt has also served on the International Advisory Board of the Art Institutes International, which established a Braldt Bralds Illustration Scholarship in 1993.

Northern New Mexico

Published by
The Greenwich Workshop
since 1995

Preferred medium: oil

Cat.as.trophy

“Even as a kid I loved looking at the detail in Old Masters’ paintings and I believe this has translated itself into my work. I don't know how not to paint detail! Being that I have this ongoing affection for cats, it was bound to happen that these two interests often would meet in my painting.”

Whimsical Realism