Artist Spotlight & Interview with Drea DiPrete

Published about 2 months ago • 2 min read

Drea DiPrete

Artist of the month May 15-June 15

Drea is a multi-disciplinary artist who creates from their home in the woods in Port Townsend, WA. Most recently, their work has been taking the form of surrealist paintings and surface pattern design.

Before returning to the Olympic Peninsula, they spent a decade between Austin and Los Angeles where they worked in fashion illustration, styling, costuming, headdress design, performance art, and interior design.

Q&A with the Artist

How long have you been a member of Zee Tai and what are your favorite things about it?

I’ve been at Zee Tai since April, 2025 when Brighid Grahan invited me into the fold. There’s a lot about art making that happens in isolation, for me at least. From the creation to the release, a painting will go live its own life out in the world without me. What I love most about Zee Tai is getting to engage with the world and with people through art. I’ve so loved hearing peoples own perspectives on what an art piece means to them; I’ve also loved getting to know this incredibly bright group of artists, sharing ideas and collaborating. It’s a really special thing to be a part of.

What inspired this work in the front and is there anything you’d like to share about it?

One of the paintings, Medicine Men, has become one of my favorite images I’ve ever made. I created it in the spirit of healing my relationship to men. I went to a meditation retreat and saw men doing things that aren’t a huge part of the over-culture but were everything I needed to see. This painting is a representation of the version of masculinity that makes me feel safe and happy: pillars of strength combined with gentleness and care for each other and/or the self.

Do you consider your artwork mystical?

Yes! All of my art (so far) is representational of my life experiences, so they reach into realms of mythology and symbolism. Plus being alive is trippy as hell.

I notice a lot of reptiles in your paintings and other animals. Do you have close experiences with snakes or alligators?

I’ve always loved all the animals. I remember growing up in my dad’s Kung Fu school in Portland, there was an exotic pet shop across the street that I liked to visit. I actually just found a picture of myself holding a gigantic snake outside of there. I also lived with and eventually was caretaking a ball python when I lived in Los Angeles. So I guess there’s a few connections there. I just think they’re awe inspiring and when you’re with them they bring you into a place of reverence.