I graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX with a BFA. Then I attended Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA where I majored in Industrial Design and Transportation Design.
In 1982 I landed my first job at Spradley Signs where I worked my way up from post hole digger to sign painter and then eventually Art Director.
5 years later, I started doing freelance graphic design and illustration. I also built a reputation in East Texas as a mural artist doing work for various restaurants and businesses. After starving for a couple of years, I decided it was time to move on.
So, we loaded up the truck and moved to Tyler, Texas where I began working with Brookshires Grocery Company in their in-house advertising department. As Art Director, my responsibilities included advertising design, package design, print collateral, and corporate event design and coordination.
In 1990 I joined Design Strategy - a small design studio that specialized in business to business marketing through print advertising.
I took the position in 1992 at Hanson Design as Senior Art Director. This award winning design firm grew to be one of the top agencies in East Texas. We also formed a side company called Wattu Wear “Art for the Human Torso” - designing innovative apparel with a nostalgic twist. Some of our creations were featured in Graphis Design Annual.
In 1995, I took the big leap again and started Brent Hale Artography, later to become Brent Hale Illustration and Design. Currently I am enjoying the busy life of the freelance illustrator, working with some of the best companies in the world on a wide range of projects in the fields of entertainment, advertising, editorial, and publishing. I get to work on projects that challenge me and allow me to draw inspiration from the very things that made me want to be an artist in the first place.
And I still Enjoy the Ride!