Artist of the Month

Each month we feature an “Artist of the Month”. As we celebrate our artists we hope you enjoy learning more about them.

Richard Drake

Richard was born and raised in Fortville, Indiana. At an early age he began drawing cartoon characters from the Sunday newspaper. His favorite characters were Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. (Grandfather Raible was an illustrator for the Indianapolis Star and mother, Virginia Drake, was also a gifted artist.) Rich’s painting of names and pin striping on race cars, motorcycles, and friends cool cars was in great demand during his high school years. All through school he took all the art classes available and received numerous awards for his works. Rich was president of the FHS Art Club his senior year, 1956-57.

Rich attend the John Herron Art Institute in Indianapolis from 1959 to 1961. His first experience with oils was soon after he entered Herron.

Rich proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1962 to 1964. After basic training he stayed on at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri and became an illustrator/unit coordinator where they made training aids using silk screening, painting, and other media. The unit also made working wooden models of weapons. During off-duty hours Rich worked in the Service Club as an instructor of ceramics, leather crafts, photography, lapidary, and silver and gold casting.

Rich retired from the Guide Division of General Motors in Anderson Indiana after 35 years of service. In the early years he worked in Plant Engineering doing drawings. At this time Rich did the proposed rendering of a new plant building in Monroe, LA. Later, Rich took an apprenticeship and entered the sheet metal trade. It was during this time that he became interest in scrimshaw; acrylics and epoxies; making knives; carving birds; and sculpting figures from acrylics and lexans.

In 2001 Rich and his wife Mary moved to eastern Jefferson County where he enjoys many kinds of art work such as making custom knives, wood carving (mostly birds), making fishing lures, sketching, making stage props and other accessories for his church, sign painting and making walking sticks. Other hobbies include hunting, fishing, trapping, and making furniture for his home.

Rich started making State Fair entries in 1974. Most notable among his blue ribbons was the one for a bowie knife, which won a blue ribbon and the Governor’s Choice Award in 2000. After the fair, this award winning knife was displayed in Governor O’Bannon’s home for two months.

Rich’s personal statement: “I never lack for something I love to do. I thank God for all His blessings and all He has given me. I pray that when this life is through He will let me use these talents for Him.”