Bret Bradford

Bret Bradford (born 1963) is a sculptor and painter.

He was raised in Birmingham and baptized at Huffman Baptist Church.

Bradford's father and brother, along with two friends, drowned while duck hunting on the Elk River near Decatur when he was nine. A year later, Bret was kidnapped by his uncle and held for ransom. He was also sexually molested by a male neighbor, making him believe he was homosexual.

In his 20's, Bradford learned he was HIV positive and descended into drugs, nearly dying of an overdose when he was 27. In 1992 he moved to San Francisco, California and volunteered at a medical clinic while working in a photo lab. While there, he took an art class from a Chinese sculptor and began creating angels, directly inspired by a truck explosion he witnessed out the window of his apartment.

In 1996 he returned to Birmingham. He suffered a stroke, but was misdiagnosed with brain cancer. After a second stroke he began rehabilitative therapy.

On December 31, 2005 Bradford married a woman he befriended at a spirituality workshop. They reside in Thorsby where he continues making angels which are sold in local stores and on his website.

References

• Garrison, Greg (December 9, 2006) "Sculptor's climb out of darkness culminates in creativity and finding happiness with a life partner." Birmingham News.

External links

• Angel of Prayers website