Lee Vandergrift was born and raised in Central Florida.

As a third generation native, his art work reflects the fun-loving, vibrant, lifestyle of Florida. Lee attended the Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, majoring in Illustration with a minor in Photography.

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After graduating he returned to Orlando to begin his artistic career, landing a position as an illustrator and photographer, he worked with “Zelo,” a creative arts magazine in Winter Park. He was proud to became its youngest cover artist ever.

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The opportunity to work at Buster Brown Children’s Apparel in Chattanooga, Tennessee presented itself working as an artist creating designs for children’s clothing. Working with designers and merchandisers producing art for children’s clothing. He loved that line of work, but after almost 6 year he returned to Florida to work full-time with the Walt Disney Corporation as a staff photographer in Disney Photographic Services.  He also won the Kodak International Newspaper Snapshot Award (KINSA) in 1996.

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As Administrative Art Director for the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Orange County, Florida, he was responsible for the layout and design of the quarterly magazine “Court Illustrated” in addition to the overall marketing and design of brochures, signage of the courts.  He was also the official photographer taking the official  judicial portraits of all the Judges in the circuit. The work was more conservative and graphic-design related but he loved the challenge and responsibility. During this time he collaborated on a children’s book “Wilbur the Christmas Mouse" with author Ken Eulo. Illustrating and designing the layout of the yet to be published book.

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