Mies Drabbe showed a clear talent for drawing and painting at a young age. She received painting lessons from the Middelburg marine painter W.J. Schutz and then went to the academy in The Hague. In 1895, the Drabbe family settled in Domburg, where Mies married Paul Elout in 1902. He was later to be appointed director of the Domburgse Zeebadinrichting. Both supported Toorop's plans to hold summer exhibitions at Domburg, and Mies Elout-Drabbe played a central role in the organization. The artist painted pointillated landscapes and village views with a strong poetic touch. Her work is influenced by her friend and teacher Jan Toorop.