Louise Woodroofe

Life Louise Woodroofe was the oldest child of Walter and Mary Woodroofe. Her mother died in childbirth in 1897, and her father moved to Chicago, leaving five-year-old Louise in Champaign to be raised by her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John G. Miller.

Louise Woodroofe studied painting (and exhibited her works) initially at the University of Illinois (1913-1917), where she was a member of the Iota sorority and drew for the Illio yearbook, and continued the education at Syracuse University, graduating with a bachelor's degree in 1919. Initially leaning towards Impressionist techniques, she also learned from Hugh Breckenridge at the Breckenridge School of Art in East Gloucester, Massachusetts, who taught her Fauvist techniques and usage of color. She also traveled to Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and Milwaukee before settling in the Chicago around 1927.

Despite her shyness, Louise Woodroofe was a member of the North Shore Arts Association (1931-1937) National Association of Women Painters and the American Watercolor Society. and 40s She died aged 104 in Illinois, well respected as an artist and teacher.