ABOUT ME

I'm Jeanette Harpe

From the Frontlines to the Front of the Canvas

My path began in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving on active duty from 1991 to 1998. That foundation of "Semper Fi" stayed with me through a decade-long government career with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of the Interior. Along the way, I fueled my love for visual storytelling, earning degrees in Digital Arts & Animation and Multimedia Arts and Design.

In 2021, after years of dedicated service in administration, I chose to retire early due to health reasons. Today, I reside in Houston, Texas, with my husband and caregiver, retired USMC Gunnery Sergeant Darius Harpe, and our youngest daughter, Erica. We are a proud military family with a blended home of five children, three girls and 2 sons, including our eldest son, Staff Sergeant Darren Pizarro, who carries on the legacy in the U.S. Air Force.

For years, I moved through the world in camouflage, learning the true meaning of resilience, discipline, and strength. But life, in all its complexity, eventually called me toward a different kind of bravery: the bravery of vulnerability. I’ve spent a large part of my life defined by "the lines." In the U.S. Marine Corps, the lines were my mission, my uniform, and my discipline. But after transitioning to civilian life, a new set of lines appeared, ones I didn't choose.

I transitioned from Camouflage to Canvas, trading my uniform for a palette of vibrant acrylics, flowing watercolors, and rich oils. What I discovered was life-changing, art wasn't just a hobby; it was a sanctuary. It became my most powerful tool for healing from personal trauma and navigating life as a disabled veteran and a Lupus Warrior.

As a Lupus Warrior, I live with a daily reality that requires immense resilience. Some days the lines are drawn by physical pain or exhaustion; other days, they are drawn by the "camouflage" we all wear to convince the world we are okay. In this journey, my husband, Darius—a retired Gunnery Sergeant—has been my rock and my caregiver, standing by me as I navigate the complexities of this disease.

Marine. Artist. Lupus Warrior. Unfettered.

I’ve spent my life navigating the intersection of discipline and creativity. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, with deep Puerto Rican roots, my journey has taken me from the front lines of Desert Storm to the serene, detailed world of fine art.

Beyond the Studio

When I’m not at the easel or in front of a design screen, I am a mother to a beautiful blended family of five, wife to a retired Marine and a proud Marine veteran myself. I believe that no matter what "camouflage" you’ve been hiding behind, there is a masterpiece waiting to be revealed.

Beyond the Studio, I serve my community as:

· Author: Sharing raw truths in my books, including Camouflaged Shame, a short story in the Scars to Stars series and my upcoming book, Out of the Blue.

· Advocate: Member of the DAV, Marine Corps Association, Psi Zeta Phi Military Sorority, Inc. and TheWomen Marines Association.

· Leader: Media representative for Colors of Lupus Nevada and Gamma Pi Rho Lupus Sorority, Inc., and Secretary for The Realize Foundation. Member of Women's Council of Entrepreneurs (WCE) and People 4 People.

· Creative Partner: Freelance designer helping small businesses find their visual voice through logo and website design at JJP Harpe LLC.

Through my podcast, Camouflaged Table, my blog and my workshops, I strive to show that beauty, love, and resilience persist even in the darkest times. We are all masterpieces in progress.

Artistic Influences

Artistic Vision

Artistic Purpose

When I pick up a paintbrush, I feel a deep connection to the masters who saw the world not just for what it was, but for how it felt. My journey as an artist is a path of healing, and I find so much strength and inspiration in the legacies of Vincent van Gogh, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Claude Monet.

The Heart of My Inspiration

Vincent van Gogh: I am moved by the raw, soulful energy of his brushwork. His ability to pour his deepest emotions onto the canvas reminds me that art is a powerful tool for transformation and finding light in the heavy moments.

Georgia O’Keeffe: Her bold, intentional focus on the intricate details of nature, especially her magnified flowers, has taught me the beauty of slowing down. She inspires me to look closer at the world and find the extraordinary in the "small" things.

Claude Monet: I’ve always been captivated by his gentle dance with light and color. There is a peace in his landscapes that resonates with my own soul, capturing those fleeting, quiet moments of beauty that often go unnoticed.

For me, creating art is more than just a hobby; it’s a way to translate the nuances of nature and the resilience of the human spirit into something vivid and evocative. These artists serve as my guiding lights, encouraging me to lean into my own style and share my heart with every stroke.

I envision a collection of art that serves as a gentle testament to the incredible beauty and heart of the natural world. My goal is to create pieces that do more than just show the delicate petals of a flower, the tiny wings of an insect, or the sweep of a landscape, I want them to wrap you in a sense of wonder and deep connection.

There is so much magic in the details we often rush past. By focusing on these quiet, "small" wonders, I hope to encourage everyone to slow down, take a breath, and truly appreciate the life surrounding us.

To me, art is a powerful way to show how we are all interconnected. When we see the delicate balance of our ecosystems and how every living thing depends on the next, it reminds us of our shared responsibility to protect and cherish this beautiful planet we call home.

I truly believe that art speaks a language of its own, reaching past barriers to bring us together in empathy and unity. Through my work, I want to ignite that same passion for nature that fills my soul, inspiring each of us to be kind stewards of the environment and to find healing in the earth’s embrace.

I truly believe that art can be a beacon of hope, a soft light that shines through the darkness we all face from time to time. When I sit down to paint, I want to create more than just a picture; I want to build a sanctuary. My hope is that when you look at my work, you find a peaceful place to rest away from the noise and chaos of the world, a quiet corner where you can breathe and find comfort in the simple, profound beauty of nature, people and the world around us.

For me, these paintings are a heartbeat. They are a reminder that no matter how heavy life feels, beauty and love are still right here, persisting through it all. In a world that can feel divided or overwhelming, I try to offer a glimpse into a space where compassion and peace take center stage. I want to encourage us all to look through a new lens, to find the extraordinary in the ordinary and to find that steady balance within ourselves.

Even when things feel uncertain or frightening, my art is my way of sharing a message of resilience. It’s my way of saying that there is always light to be found if we look for it. By showing how we are all connected, every living, breathing part of this earth, I hope to inspire us to walk together with a little more harmony and a lot more heart.

After all, when we see the beauty in each other and the world around us, we can’t help but want to create a future filled with hope.