Brandon James Bailey was born on September 19, 1984 in Cheyenne Wyoming. Wildlife art has always come naturally to Brandon, as he has been fascinated by both art and the outdoors for as long as he can remember. He began taking art classes in junior high and it was there that he sold his first drawing for twenty dollars.
During his teens, the Game and Fish Department of Wyoming gave Brandon his first commission. Although only 16 years old, he was commissioned to create cover sketches for all State of Wyoming Hunting Regulation Pamphlets. The Game and Fish has since commissioned Brandon to do many other projects, including numerous benefit and auction items.
Brandon has won many awards in art shows across the country and has participated in shows where he has raised thousands of dollars through art donations for the Wyoming Wildlife Heritage Expo, The Moose Foundation, The Elk Foundation, The Sheep Federation and Safari Club International. It is at these shows that Brandon has met successful artists who have inspired him as well as given him artistic input and advice.
As a member of the Ottawa/Chippewa tribe, Brandon credits his Native American roots for fostering a genuine reverence for nature. Much of his childhood was spent hunting in the woods with his father and grandfather, who taught him to always respect and care for the wild. Accordingly, Brandon is an avid hunter and fishermen, who has hunted and fished all over the country.
In 2006, he was able to hunt in South Africa on safari. Since then, African wildlife has become an increasingly important subject in his works. "Going and living something makes it much more enjoyable to paint and draw that subject. It gives me that passion that I feel is the most important part to a piece of artwork. Seeing the animals and how they react in their natural environment is key in creating an interesting scene that is true to that animal and their environment," states Brandon.
Growing up in Wyoming, it is only fitting that Brandon has an intense interest in western culture. His fascination with rodeo and the old west began during his childhood and has continued throughout his life. From 2004 to 2006, he rode bulls competitively and rode for the Laramie County Community College rodeo team, as well as in the practice pen for fun. Rodeo has also found itself into Brandon`s art, as he has been commissioned to create artwork for various Wyoming rodeo companies. If asked about the dangers of bull riding Brandon jokes, "I figured if I can ride a two-thousand pound wild farm animal, there is nothing I can`t at least try to overcome."
When not outdoors, creating artwork, or attending an art show, Brandon can be found at home enjoying time with his wife Priscilla, his dogs Maggie and Sue, his parents Kathy and Yogi, and his brother Cody. He credits his family with helping him along in his art career. His father has spent countless hours traveling and helping him with shows and basically anything else that has to do with art.
Brandon's most recent achievements include being invited to participate in the The Cheyenne Frontier Days Art Show and Sale in Cheyenne, Wyoming for the 3rd year now (2011, 2012, and 2013). Brandon's artwork titled "Sweethearts of the Rodeo" was chose for the 2012 Cheyenne Frontier Days Poster and was also picked as the People's Choice Award. Brandon was also juried into the Phippen Museum Western Art Show and Sale in Prescott, Arizona, The Mountain Oyster Club Art Show and Sale in Tucson, Arizona, and the Southeast Wildlife Exposition in Charleston, South Carolina. He was also named the North American Moose Foundation's premier artist for 2010. Brandon currently exhibits his work at Mountain Trails Gallery in Sedona, Arizona and Deselms Fine Art in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Brandon has also been featured in Western Art Collector, Art and Architecture, Sporting Classics Daily, and Rodeo News.
