Ed Gittens was born 1950 in LaCrosse Wisconsin. He developed an early interest in Art that has continued to the present. Ed is a combat Veteran of VietNam whose decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star and Combat Infantrymans Badge. After the service, Ed studied at LaCrosse State University, Winona State University and Western Wisconsin Technical Collage and did artwork on his own. Ed and his brother Dan Gittens operated “Gittens Brother Gallery” during the early1970′s in Winona. The small gallery/studio featured local talent; well known sculptor Leo Smith carved the Gittens Brother sign and sold his first works there. Ed took Art classes and painted intensely at home. It was during this period that the artist started his diorama of Charles Dickens, ” A Christmas Carol”. This project has spanned over forty years and is still in progress! The project was featured in numerous newspaper accounts and in several LaCrosse T.V.interviews. It was designed to be a holiday fundraiser. From the late 70′s on, Ed’s interest in nature and the outdoors manifested in his work, this shift was reflected in subject matter. He also did fantasy, science fiction material and expressionistic peices. Ed’s interest in wildlife and his graphic arts skills landed him a job with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, where he worked making signs for the wildlife refuge systems. From mid 80′s til the early 90′s Gittens won a number of awards including a national special achievement awards. Service-connected issues led Ed to a medical retirement from the USF&WS. Ed has since pursued personal projects and Community Service efforts. His “Scrooge project” and an annual Deer Show/fundraiser exemplifies this phase of his work. Ed is working on paintings and illustrations for several books. One will pertain to Bluffland deer and management, another is related to the artists military experiance. Ed’s also worked with local historical societies in LaCrosse and LaCrescent on special displays. This year 2011 annual Deer Show raised about $3000, which was targeted toward mentored youth hunting programs. Ed and his son-in-law started “SHARE” (Share Hunting and Recreational Experience) to bring the outdoors to disadvantaged youth. The men have been involved with new youth hunts for Minnesota since thier inception, with excellent results. Ed currently resides in Reno, Minnesota with his wife Debbie.