Meet the Artist!

Evelyn Grothendick’s love of art began early in her life. At age 3, her parents couldn’t help but notice her ability to recreate the things around her using pencil and paper. They nurtured her talent, and when she became old enough, they enrolled her in private classes. There she was introduced to art concepts, pastels, oils and acrylics.

Evelyn continued her study in high school, where she decided to specialize in oils. After high school, she was put under the wing of Menis Garribian of Garribian Studios in Chicago, where she was tutored for the next 2 years. During that time, she participated in several local art shows and drew pet portraits to augment her living expenses.

Although marriage, family, and her profession in X-ray, soon took up the majority of Evelyn’s life, she continued to upgrade and refine her talents. She renewed her interest in pencil and ink drawing. She furthered her abilities by taking pencil courses under Cynthia Knox, Robert Kogge, Kerry Brooks, and Alan Woollett. Wood burning also piqued her interest and she took several courses in pyrography under Susan Walter and Lora Irish. As time permitted, Evelyn subsidized her income with sales and commissions. Those included drawings, wood burned valances, and shelves, painted furniture, and outdoor life pictures for homes and businesses in Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.

Recently retired, Evelyn now looks forward to becoming fully involved in the love of her life – creating pictures and art objects for others with her own unique life touch.

“Art has always been a dear friend to me and has helped me through all the ups and downs of my life. My favorite subjects are animals and people whose eyes seem to express their souls. They speak to me in their own way. I try to have each picture, each scene, each object tell me a story. It’s my wish to have them also tell a story to you.”

-Evelyn Grothendick