I’m happy to introduce featured artist, and my friend, Karrie Drake. I met Karrie at church in Florida, and although I knew she was a talented photographer, I had no idea how talented until we had both relocated from Florida. (Thank goodness for Facebook!)
Karrie now lives in beautiful North Carolina, which gives her plenty of inspiration for her work. She’s a wonderful mom to two busy boys, and successfully manages her growing business–Karrie Drake Photography.
A few months ago, I noticed via Instagram that Karrie and I were both illustrating our morning devotions. Even more intriguing was that many mornings we were using the same scripture reference. I knew I had to get back in touch with Karrie and learn what all God’s been up to in her life.
Karrie chooses to cling to God’s promises, even when life is messy and uncertain. Her artwork allows her to share this belief with others. I know you’ll enjoy reading Karrie’s story below.
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My parents retell the story often, especially during family gatherings. “Karrie, you have never known a stranger.” The story starts with a 3 year old Me at the grocery store with my mom. I sit down on a bench next to an elderly woman. I talk her ear off; the ramblings of a child are very important, you know.
Karrie offers FREE printables on her blog!
The woman laughs out loud and looks over at my mom and says, “You need to watch out for this one. She’s so young and talking to strangers can be very dangerous for a sweet little girl like yours.” My mom nodded, smiled, and answered, “Yes, ma’am, I know. That’s the way God made her though.”
I am still this way. Smiling and talking to strangers, whether in passing in line at Starbucks, sitting on an airplane, or just posting on my Instagram feed. I will talk your ear off. The ramblings of an artsy Mom of boys are very important, you know. Let’s call it “Outgoing Extrovert.” This personality trait has gone hand in hand with my art journey. It starts here…
A favorite of mine, Karrie’s
TUESDAY-HUESDAY. Follow
her on Instagram to see more!
Art has always been a love of mine. Since I was a school aged child I can remember loving my Art class above all other subjects. Even in my English classes where I would have to write a story or write a summary for a book report, I included an illustration even if it wasn’t required. I wanted to create all the time.
At the beginning of my college career I actually wanted to go into nursing. It didn’t work out because once I took my first college drawing class, I changed my major to Fine Arts.
My concentration in college was pottery. I loved throwing clay on the wheel to create functional pieces. Photography, painting, and illustration were the other main art courses I took. Since graduating from college, my art journey has included all 4 media.
With the accumulation of 4 states and 6 moves, the constant relocating has afforded me new creative opportunities. Each move has drawn me closer to one of the 4 art media I mentioned above. I have taught middle school Art in the North Carolina public school system, and I traveled to different areas in the state to sell my pottery at festivals.
While living in Illinois, I began collecting rubber stamps to make my own greeting cards because, for me, handmade is so much more personal. My photography business began in Georgia, as did my idea for illustrated Biblical promises.
One morning, while reading my devotions, I came across a Davidic Psalm when a vision of a painting appeared in my mind. I quickly sketched out my ideas and painted the promise based on Psalm 56:8 – “Record my misery; list my tears on your scroll–are they not in your record?” The footnotes read, put my tears in your wine skin.
The Davidic Psalms are my favorite. The poetic verses and raw emotion speak to my spirit. I can relate to them so well. The painting is a depiction of myself crying, my tears rolling into the wine skin, which is also shaped like a tear. The painting was completed in 2009.
Most recently, I have been posting my Indexcard Verse Art via Instagram. Most of my Indexcard Art is from my morning devotions.
Sharing my everyday life, my experiences, and my heart are all connected to my creative process. My desire is to love–to love The Lord and to love people. My God who created me as an artsy Outgoing Extrovert gave me a big open heart to love people, and to share His promises with them. I am thankful and I am blessed!
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Go see more of Karrie’s work on her blog.
She has written and illustrated her own children’s book, Autumn, and offers a 2014 calendar featuring her landscape photography.
Follow Karrie on Instagram: @karriedrake and Twitter: @karrie_drake
The moral of this story is Girl Scout Cookies are anointed and should be brought into the home of all true Believers. The end.
A Little Happy 