Hello there and welcome!

My first name is Marydean, but everyone calls me Mary. The “Draws” in my website name comes from literal and figurative drawing based on this verse: “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3).

I wrote my first blog post in 2014 out of a desire to share some beautiful truths coming out of a hard season, and then I just never stopped because God and His word never stopped being beautiful and rich and deep.

I live here in the lovely Shenandoah Valley, Virginia with my husband and three kids. I grew up all over the U.S. thanks to my dad’s Navy career (eight states and two foreign countries).

I’m an artist and illustrator, and former ESL teacher. I love working in watercolors and pastels, and with my iPad.

I learned a deep faith in Jesus as a young child from my parents. I am always growing and learning, and am 100% reliant on the grace and kindness of God in Jesus.

Besides art, I love thrifting, reading, and eating good food. My favorite foods are sushi, Thai, and Vietnamese.

I am a strong introvert, and an Enneagram nine. I am inspired by color, flowers, nature, friends, good conversation, good books, and God’s Word.

For glimpses of my daily life and art, you can find me on Instagram @marydeandraws. 

You can listen to me tell more of my story in my interview with Sarah Rieke on the Heart Lessons Podcast (from 2016) or watch this interview with my friends at Visual Faith below (2021), or my podcast interview with my friend, Dawn, of Virginia is for laughers HERE (2023).

You can see my full privacy policy HERE.