Joe Draegert (b. 1945) is a painter whose imaginative still lifes and landscapes combine realism with playful explorations of color and composition. Born in Chariton, Iowa, Draegert earned a B.F.A. from the Kansas City Art Institute and an M.F.A. in 1970 from the University of California, Davis. Working primarily in oil, Draegert transforms everyday objects and landscapes into carefully orchestrated compositions that evoke a sense of magic realism. His paintings frequently depict the landscapes of California and Italy. In 1979, he received the Prix de Rome and studied at the American Academy in Rome.