James Brandess is a local Michigan artist who runs a studio in Saugatuck, MI. As a student he attended the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago, Illinois. He strives to bring his love and support of art to his community, largely by tutoring elementary students and contributing to Ox-Bow in Saugatuck as a member on the Auxiliary Board, which includes a yearly scholarship that bears his name. Along with his own painting and print making, he also teaches painting workshops at his studio.