Nelda Gruenthal

Nelda, originally from Brooklyn, New York, adopted California as her home at the tender age of four, embodying the essence of a true California girl. 

From early on, Nelda found herself drawn to the arts.  She immersed herself in drawing and painting classes at school, took up ballet, tap dancing, and piano lessons.  Her creative spirit extended to set designing and painting for high school musicals and plays.  Despite her passion the arts, societal expectations limited her options after high school.  Back then, the prevailing notion for females attending college was to secure a husband or pursue traditional roles like teaching, librarianship, nursing or secretarial work - none of which appealed to her.

Marriage, motherhood to four children, divorce and the demanding life of a working single parent consumed Nelda's days.  It wasn't until retirement that she found the opportunity to reconnect with her creative side.  She started with silversmithing classes at Pierce College, which sparked a renaissance of artistic exploration.  From sketching designs to drawing and ultimately discovering the allure of pastels, Nelda found joy in painting without the hassle of extensive cleanup and relished the vast array of vibrant colors pastels offered.

Though she prefers the controlled environment of studio painting over plein air, Nelda acknowledges the unmatched beauty and atmosphere of nature.  She occasionally ventures into the great outdoors, braving the elements - be it cold, wind, heat, or bugs - to bask in the natural wonders that photography alone cannot capture.  For her, experiencing nature firsthand in an invaluable and enriching pursuit, offering a treasure trove of inspiration freely available to all who seek it.

Note: "One Eyed Jack," by Nelda Gruenthal can be seen on the Gallery

and in the slide show on the Home page.

To return to the Gallery, click on "One Eyed Jack."

To return to the slide show,

click on the "Home" button at the top of this page.