About Don Brandes
Don Brandes grew up riding his bicycles in Wright City, Missouri (population 943) and decided to be an artist in 2nd grade. He received his Bachelors of Fine Art degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia but had no idea what he would do as an artist. Hallmark Cards in Kansas City saw his work and hired him on as an illustrator of cards. There he met his wife Katy (also an artist); they have two sons Alan and Hank. After earning his Masters degree at Syracuse University in New York, teaching part time at the Kansas City Art Institute, doing some gallery work and freelancing on the side, Don was asked to teach in the illustration department at Ringling College of Art and Design. So he moved his family to Sarasota, Florida. Dons' freelance work includes editorial illustration, Public art, Poster design, logo design, Travel Journals/Sketch books, corporate reports, and just about anything you want to "throw his way."