That’s what you call a young entrepreneur who launches his own car and a motorcycle custom painting business at the tender age of fourteen.
Meet Ray Drea, the award-winning artist behind the stunning cover of DESTINATION FLORIDA’S 2026 Jimmy Buffett Tribute Edition. Renowned for capturing the essence of some of the world’s biggest rock stars, Ray Drea is also revered for harnessing his deep passion for Harley-Davidson motorcycles into powerful works of art.
Believe it or not, Ray’s only “disciplined” art training occurred when he picked up a box of Crayola Crayons at age six. It was also around the time that Ray first hopped onto the saddle of his brother’s 1958 Harley Panhead Dresser. That first thrilling “Bro Bike Ride” sealed his lifelong love affair with Harley-Davidson.
Little did Ray know that his first gig airbrushing, pin-striping, lettering, gold leafing, and even spray-painting candy and pearl over entire cars would soon open the door to much bigger things to come. The young prodigy was still in high school when he caught the eye of Willie G Davidson of the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Davidson was so impressed with Ray’s work that he hired him as a graphic designer and stylist.
Before long, Ray was running Harley’s entire Design Studio. It was during his years at Harley-Davidson that Ray honed his craft and became instrumental in shaping the brand’s signature look. But by 2022, Harley Davidson’s rising star was anxious to get back to his creative roots.
So, Ray Drea left H-D and struck out on his own. It was time for him to “channel his artistic spirit” into his own projects. Ray’s years of working with enamel paint on metal propelled him into an exciting new direction. Inspired by the brilliantly colored, expressionist paintings of the great American artist, LeRoy Neiman, Ray Drea cut loose.
He leaned into painting celebrity icons with a particular focus on famous rock stars. But how, pray tell, do you paint music? For Ray Drea, it all starts with vibrant colored liquid enamel paint. Poured onto a surface, the paint’s fluidity lays the groundwork for his loose, soulful interpretations. Like a rock star, Ray Drea’s brilliantly colored expressionist paintings capture a moment in time and evoke a deep emotional connection.
In addition to Jimmy Buffett, Ray’s signature series of musicians and celebrities and cultural icons include Bruce Springsteen, Bob Marley, Mick Jagger, Stevie Nicks, Prince, The Beatles, Ernest Hemingway, and many other greats. But his range of subject matter doesn’t stop there. In addition to his acclaimed Icon Series, Ray Drea’s Studio showcases an eye-popping collection of automobiles, motorcycles, and boats; landscapes, wildlife, and abstracts; as well as pop, portraits, and more.
Whether it’s his original art or his commissioned artwork, Ray Drea’s creations touch the free spirit inside all of us. See more online at raydreastudios.com.
FYI: If you’re in Key West, you can also see many of Ray’s amazing works at Zazoo Fine Art Gallery, 622 Duval St. He’ll also be painting live at the gallery from 9:30 am –10 pm on October 22 – 24 during Fantasy Fest.
