Jean Dryden Alexander was the youngest daughter of noted watercolourists R.G.D Alexander and Effie Alexander. Born in 1911 at Priest’s Cottage, Shenfield, Essex, her artistic influence stemmed from her parents and their artist circle of friends, who included Mark Fisher, H.B. Brabazon and Sir George Clausen. The whole family spent as much time as possible painting en plein air around Essex and its coastline.
Jean was educated at Queen Anne’s School, Caversham and studied art at Chelmsford Art School (1928-1931). She subsequently won a scholarship to the Slade School of Art (1931-1935). As well as her own painting, Jean Alexander taught art at Brentwood County High School for thirty years. She travelled widely and settled in New Zealand for four years (1970-1974). In 1974 she moved to Norfolk where she lived until her death in 1994.