Meet Don Drake the Artist
Art has always been a part of who I am.
Ever since I was a kid, I was hooked—spending hours copying Norman Rockwell’s portraits of Nixon and Kennedy, trying to figure out how he made them come alive. But it wasn’t until I saw the work of Aaron Shikler that it all really clicked. That’s when I knew I wanted to paint portraits—not just to get a good likeness, but to capture something deeper: the soul, the character, the story behind the face.
Over the years, that same passion has carried over into landscapes, figures, still lifes, courtroom art, and even caricatures. No matter the subject, I’m always chasing that spark—that feeling that something real and honest is coming through the paint.
I feel incredibly fortunate to do what I love: putting brush to canvas and bringing moments, people, and places to life.
Passion for Resilience
Art That Reflects the Soul and Honors the Sacred
I fell in love with art because it speaks when words fall short. I’ve spent countless hours studying the luminous watercolors and bold oils of Sargent, the soulful weight of Rembrandt, and the anatomical grace of Raphael and Michelangelo—not just to improve, but to connect. Their work carries a quiet power, and I long for that same pulse in my own.
But the more I paint, the more I know: technique alone isn’t enough. Art must say something.
For me, it’s about resilience—not the dramatic kind, but the quiet strength it takes to keep going when no one sees. My work honors those who have fallen and gotten back up, who carry unseen burdens but keep showing up with courage and softness.
My art is a way of honoring that strength. I want it to hold space for people who have struggled, survived, and kept their hearts intact. I want it to say: You’re not alone. You’re not finished. And there is still beauty in you.
Where Faith and Art Converge
I am a passionate follower of Jesus Christ, and everything I create—with my hands and heart—is for His glory. From the beginning, my deepest desire has been to honor the Lord through the gifts He’s entrusted to me. Like the great masters before me, I long to reflect His beauty, truth, and grace in my work.
My journey with Christ began when I was a pre-teen. Two college students shared the Gospel with me, and though I was afraid, God held me fast. That night, I surrendered to Jesus, and my life was transformed from darkness to light.
In time, I wandered—but God was patient. Though I resisted His call to ministry for years, His grace never let go. When I finally surrendered, I discovered my true purpose.
For nearly forty years, I’ve had the privilege of serving as a pastor, walking with extraordinary people whose kindness, courage, and faith have deeply shaped me.
Now, I feel called to tell their stories—and His—through art. With each painting, I seek to capture glimpses of God’s presence in His people and His creation. A weathered face, a bent tree, light breaking through clouds—each image is a testimony.
My prayer is that my work draws others not just to the art, but to the heart of the One who inspires it all.
Peggy
My wife Peggy and I have shared life’s journey together for nearly 50 years. From the very beginning—back in high school—she’s been my biggest supporter, especially in my pursuit of art. Over the years, she’s worked in banking and in the laundry industry, always with integrity and dedication.
Together, we made the decision for Peggy to leave the workforce to stay home and raise our three children—Katy, Donny, and Mike. It was a sacrifice, but one we never second-guessed. Today, as we look at their lives and families, and our seven wonderful grandchildren, we are overwhelmed with gratitude.
Peggy has also been a remarkable partner in ministry. Though she never imagined herself as a pastor’s wife, she stepped into that role with grace and willingness. And now, in this season of life, she manages most of the day-to-day operations of our art business—something I couldn't do without her.
I am deeply thankful for her steadfast love, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion. She has been my partner in every sense of the word, and I am beyond blessed to walk through life with her by my side.
Honoring a Life of Courage Through Art and Faith
Inspiration for much of my work flows from my deep admiration for my earthly Dad.
He grew up poor in rural Maine, facing hardship and rejection from an early age. At just 16, his mother publicly disowned him—a wound that could have broken many. But instead of giving up, he enlisted in the Army that very year and eventually became a fighter pilot.
He went on to fly with General Claire Chennault, commander of the legendary WWII Flying Tigers. On his very first mission, he was shot down and declared dead by the War Department. But miraculously, he was rescued by the Chinese resistance in the China-Burma theater and returned safely to his base.
Undeterred, he completed the war as a decorated and successful pilot. His courage and skill didn’t end with the war—he later became the first squadron leader to fly the F-86 fighter jet from the United States to Europe.
Through war, hardship, and the trials of everyday life, my Dad remained steadfast. He never gave up. He instilled in my brothers and me a simple but powerful rule: “Never be a quitter.”
His resilience shaped who I am. His story—marked by adversity, courage, and triumph—continues to inspire my life and my art.
Each brushstroke in Don’s work is a conversation between spirit and form, resilience and beauty—a visual reflection of a life richly lived and deeply seen.
A Life in Art, A Heart for Meaning
Don Drake’s artistic journey spans decades, mediums, and callings—with a brush guided by both technical mastery and deep spiritual resonance.
In 1981, Don was awarded the Merit Award at the National Portrait Painters’ Seminar in New York City, selected from a prestigious field of artists representing all 50 states and five nations. His award-winning portrait was featured in the March 1982 issue of American Artist Magazine, marking the beginning of a career that has balanced classical training, expressive power, and enduring relevance.
Early in his career, Don painted portraits of business leaders, academic figures, and children throughout the Northeast and in Europe. But over time, his attention turned to the rugged, soul-stirring landscapes of his home in Maine. Today, he works in oil, pastel, and watercolor, capturing the enduring strength and quiet poetry of coastal rocks, tidal shifts, and forest light.
Don’s landscape painting “The Least of These” has received multiple honors, including an Honorable Mention at the Northeast Fine Arts Exhibition in Ware, Massachusetts. His work has been exhibited in the Art Salon Juried Winter Exhibition, and the Pastel Society of Maine’s Annual International Exhibition, where he also received the Honorable Award at their Bowdoin College show.
His work is held in both institutional and private collections, including TD Bank North, St. Joseph’s College (Windham, ME), Mercy Hospital (Portland, ME), and the Elizabeth Noyce Collection.
Don holds a Master of Fine Arts from American University in Washington, D.C., and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Boston University. He studied under some of the 20th century’s most influential American artists: David Aronson, Arthur Polonsky, Reed Kay, Robert D’Arista, and Stephen Pace. He was also mentored by Gardner Cox, the renowned portraitist of Supreme Court Justices from the 1950s to 1980s.
Later in life, Don followed a second calling to ministry, serving for many years as pastor of Deering Center Community Church in Portland, Maine. Now retired from the pulpit, he devotes his time fully to painting—his true first language.
