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I was born and raised in Central Florida. As a second generation native, I'd like to think my art reflects the fun-loving, vibrant Florida lifestyle. I have seen things artistically all my life and at the age of 20 decided to harness this artistic energy into a career by attending the Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota. My major was in Illustration with a minor in Photography.After graduating in 1988 from Ringling, while other classmates were drawn to bigger cities such as New York, L.A., and Chicago I decided to return to Orlando to begin my artistic career. Landing a position as an illustrator and photographer, I worked with the creative arts magazine Zelo where I became its youngest cover artist.Opportunity knocked in an unusual way at Buster Brown Children’s Apparel in Chattanooga, Tennessee. A longtime friend and fellow artist Glad Rogers (Goldman) called and told me of a creative position as an artist working with designers producing art for children’s clothing. So after three years with Zelo, I left for greener pastures and the mountains of Tennessee. This venture would keep me away from my home in Central Florida for almost 6 years. Although I enjoyed the work and the great outdoors, it was destiny to come back to Orlando.Currently I work at the Orange County Courthouse as Administrative Art Director. The work is more conservative and graphic-design related but I loves the challenge and the people with whom I work.The Orlando Fringe Festival has selected two pieces of my art for the annual Fringe Festival. See the Awards page on my website (www.LeeVandergrift.com) to see these pieces.My current style of work, which is done in my free time, is an expression of myself and reflects the love of whimsy and brilliant colors. It’s really just about being inspired on what happens from day to day and the happiness of being alive. Some may love it and others may not, but in the end it’s about making yourself happy.My mother Marlene, also an artist, nurtures my love and talent for art. She is the proud owner of the largest collection of my original work besides the work in our home. I still reside in Orlando where all of my immediate family lives. Tim, my partnerand I live just south of downtown with our dogs Sally and Gus, and the lone kitty named Johnny.And here's a slide show of our recent trip to Italy!