Sherman Groenke began painting and drawing in high school under the influence of his art teacher, the late Helen Sawyer. After high school he attended the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, currently known as MIAD. He continued to pursue his interest in watercolors and received his first award at the 1936 Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors annual exhibition at the Milwaukee Art Institute.1

Groenke served in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. Groenke was commissioned to be a combat artist and record the activities of the Coast Guard in various stations of the South Pacific during World War II. When he returned, Sherman worked as a commercial artist at John Goes studio in Milwaukee until he retired.2

During his career he considered himself a Sunday painter; however, many considered him to be a master of the watercolor medium.2 Much of Groenke's work reflects life in Racine County, where he has spent many hours sketching and painting lakefront scenes, landmark buildings, old barns and more. He enjoyed painting the hues of fall and winter the most. Groenke acknowledges the influence of Andrew Wyeth and said he also took inspiration from all of the illustrators at the Brandywine School, including Wyeth and school founder Howard Pyle.3

1askart.com
2Racine Journal Times obituary, published November 11, 2008.
3Lee Roberts, “Gallery Night Celebrates a Star: Cobblestone exhibits watercolors of Sherman Groenke,” published in Racine Journal Times, November 16, 2006.
3http://journaltimes.com/lifestyles/leisure/gallery-night-celebrates-a-star-cobblestone-exhibit-the-watercolors-of/article_ba731fc1-db58-5954-8a1d-29ab07a19763.html