J. Everett Draper

DRAPER J. Everett Draper, painter and writer, passed away peacefully at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach on October 22, 2006. Mr. Draper was born October 17, 1915 in North Atleborough, Massachusetts to Anna F. Petersen and Harold W. Draper. He was a graduate of Pratt Institute in New York City and attended the Grand Central School of Art studying illustration under the late Harvey Dunn. He also studied with Edgar Whitney, Paul Strisik, and John Pike. During WWII he served in the U.S. Army Intelligence where he developed strategic maps used in the invasion of Normandy. He returned to New Jersey to work and teach advertising design and figure illustration at the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art. He retired in 1972 from the Prudential Insurance Co. where he was an art director. Mr. Draper has had many one man shows and is an award winning signature member of the American Watercolor Society. His paintings have been selected twice for the AWS traveling exhibitions. He is listed in Who's Who in American Art, was past president of the Florida Watercolor Society and past president of the St. Augustine Art Association. He was a member of the Whiskey Painters of America and the Salmagundi Club, New York. He was the author of two best selling watercolor books - Putting People in Your Paintings and People Painting Scrapbook. His paintings are in over 400 corporate government and private collections in the U.S., Canada, South America and Europe as well as in the permanent collections of several museums and universities. Mr. Draper, a master at teaching art, has conducted many watercolor workshops in the U.S. and abroad. Mr. Draper is predeceased by Evelyn, his loving wife of 53 years, who was also an award winning artist. He is survived by son Richard Everett Draper, daughter Pamela Draper Whyte (Robert), grandson William Charles Schmidt (Jen), niece Sally Jean Draper and numerous loving friends and helpers whose love and caring contributed greatly to his quality of life. A Memorial Service wil be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, October 26th in Christ Episcopal Church of Ponte Vedra Beach. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Northeast Florida Community Hospice or the American Cancer Society. Services under the direction and care of. Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com