Ep. 175: Casey Drake

Casey Drake is a self-taught artist, author, illustrator, and mother currently based in Orlando, Florida. While always driven by a strong, intrinsic need to create, her artistic journey took an unexpected turn when her whimsical sidewalk chalk creations gained widespread recognition in 2020. Before this, Casey obtained a bachelor’s of science in Biology, served as a Peace Corps volunteer in South Africa, and taught in under-served schools in Arizona and Florida. However, this sudden and extreme attention to her art ignited a newfound passion within her for illustration, as well as the motivation to pursue an artistic career path. Her diverse background in biology, education, and humanitarian work has led to an unique artistic perspective and irreverence in her work. In 2021, Casey unveiled her debut children's picture book, 'Hi, My Name is Why!', a passion project that resulted in a fully funded Kickstarter campaign and physical book. Currently pursuing a graduate degree in Business of Art and Design at Maryland Institute College of Art, Casey's vision extends beyond her personal artistic endeavors. She envisions establishing a combination community art and maker space—a convergence of art, creation, and community—in her future home of Washington State. This space will fuse a coffee bar with a maker space to cultivate a haven for creativity and connection. As she navigates through grad school and cultivates her artistic identity, Casey Drake stands poised to leave an indelible mark. CaseyDrake.com instagram.com/caseydrakemakes