Jeanette Drake
Watercolor
Contact
Biography
Jeanette Drake was born and raised in Miami, Florida. Even as a child and teenager, she was keenly interested in sketching and painting. In her spare time she visited as many art festivals as possible. It was clear to Jeanette that upon retirement from her first career as a human resources administrator at Miami Dade College she would devote more time to sketching and painting. Jeanette was drawn to the beauty of watercolor and she enrolled in classes in Botanical Illustration at Fairchild Tropical Garden in Miami. It was in this class that she discovered a real talent for detailed painting. Now retired in Melbourne, Florida, she pursues her passion of sketching and painting, enjoying her second career as an artist.
Jeanette gathers inspiration and subject matter from her photographs of the local wildlife and tropical flowers. Jeanette uses many washes and layers in her paintings to create the delicate and subtle translucency that can only be portrayed in watercolor. But it is the detail that appeals to Jeanette and that which makes her paintings come to life. Jeanette is a member of the Brevard Zoo and spends many hours there hanging out with the residents and taking pictures for future paintings.
Jeanette is an active member of the Florida Watercolor Society, the Strawbridge Art League Inc., the North Brevard Art League and the Brevard Watercolor Society. Jeanette also participates in the “Art in Public Places” exhibit program courtesy of The Brevard Cultural Alliance. Jeanette was one of the previous owners of the Art Gallery of Viera. After 10 years as an owner, Jeanette and Helen Wheatley decided to close the gallery’s doors on December, 2019 to get back to spending more time on their art. Shortly after closing, the gallery was purchased by Jill Blue and re-opened October 2, 2019. Jeanette will now be a member of the new Art Gallery of Viera.
