Bradfield was
born in White Bear, Minnesota, in 1924. He launched his career with
the advertising agency Batten, Barton, Durstine and Osborn in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. He then spent several years working in England and France,
where he did humorous illustrations for Punch and Good Housekeeping
magazines. He returned to the U.S. and opened his own commercial
art studio in 1953. Among the many awards garnered at this stage
of his career was the prestigious National Fashion Academy Gold
Medal for his work in package design.
A successful
creator of children's books, he has won awards for his writing and
illustration in this field and has had his books chosen as Junior
Literary Guild selections. Bradfield is perhaps best-known for writing
and illustrating the comic strip Dooley's World, which was syndicated
world-wide by King Features.
Upon retiring
in 1988, Bradfield has been able to spend a great deal of time painting
- mostly in watercolor. Since then he has sketched in Greece, Norway,
Portugal, Italy, France, Spain, China, and Mexico, gathering subjects for
his paintings. He says, "When someone looks at one of my paintings
I want them to get the impression that I had fun doing it and that
I did it almost without effort. That's really the hardest part -
making it look easy.
When asked of
what he was most proud Bradfield answered easily, "My kids. There
are five of them and they are all happy, successful and well-adjusted.
More importantly, they love one another...and each has found a wonderful
mate." When asked what he valued the most in life, he replied, "Same
answer - my kids...along with my wife, Joan. I have absolutely no
doubt that she is the sweetest, most agreeable person in the world."
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