Drie Chapek was born in 1979, in Detroit Michigan with a life of transition and movement ahead. As a child from two homes across many states, perspectives from the airplane as well as the road created views of connectivity in the greater picture. Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Kansas were all in the annual routine as well as additional travel on the east coast, They were born into a life or death family as their older sister had severe health issues and was not expected to live, with on going operations she continues to live. Life and death as well as connection through the human experience on Earth continue to be themes Chapek explores.

In 1993 Chapek began painting murals in their bedroom, various buildings and on theatre sets. She was enthralled with the ability to create a view into an entire world of human relationships and transformation of character on the stage. In the middle of earning their Set Design degree, at the University of Kansas, they were drawn to exploring their own themes in the Fine Arts. Before graduating with a BA from the University of Kansas, where they studied with Roger Shimomura and Tanya Hartman, Chapek was given a full scholarship to study abroad in Stoke-on-Trent, England in 2001. It was there, that Drie learned they had a deep desire to create work that observes the visceral as well as the unknown to allow acceptance of it. While visiting large art museums in Europe she was inspired by the soulful imagery of ancient art, religious art, mandalas, indigenous art and visionary work to find a language that could talk about humanity and transformation with inclusion to the human experience.

Chapek and her family attentively participate in an imaginative, outdoors adventurous, playful, musical and connected life. Moving through the sudden death of their second child proved great practice to Drie’s painting theory. Turning ideas of ways to live close to life and death into a reality. The richness of enjoying their children alongside losses and unforeseen challenges around raising a child with disabilities, has provided rich painting and life.

Some recent solo shows have been “Churning” and “In the Quiet” Greg Kucera Gallery Seattle, WA and “Soul Juice” I.E. Gallery Edison, WA and “In the Quiet” I.E.Gallery Edison, WA and “Emote” Zeitgeist Seattle, WA. Recent group exhibitions include, A Visionary project in Brooklyn, NY, “A Body Among Bodies" Kirkland Arts Center, Kirkland, WA and “Seattle Contemporary Artists” Relish Magazine, Seattle, WA

Drie Chapek has been working and showing in the Seattle area since 2002.