Chris Groves’ love of art grew from his early experiences with nature and the introduction of a master sculpture in his youth. Groves was born in Boulder, Colorado, but soon moved with his family to Slidell, Louisiana. Those early years in Slidell were spent outside, exploring the woods, swimming in the bayou, boating, fishing, playing with snakes and other wild animals. It was during those years that Groves learned to love the outdoors and nature. At the age of ten, Groves' family returned to Boulder where he continued his exploration of nature with countless hikes, mountain climbs and camping trips. His parents gave him a nature- drawing book and Groves latched onto it as a source of awe and inspiration. He would spend countless hours copying the drawings and enhancing them with his own interpretation. His parents, recognizing their sons’ talent and appreciation of art, hired a private tutor to instruct him in basic techniques. Soon, Groves' interest turned from nature to people. Groves looked to magazines, friends and siblings as a source of inspiration and drew detailed portraits of their faces. In high school, Groves met sculptor, Glenna Goodacre, the mother of a school friend. Meeting with her and seeing some of the success she enjoyed as a artist (Vietnam Women’s memorial, Sacagawea US Dollar design) helped to inspire Groves' own artistic aspirations. After graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.F.A. in Environmental Design, Groves spent the next ten years as an art director for two large companies, all the while continuing to study and hone his fine art skills. Groves has studied at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, the Colorado Academy of Art, the Loveland Art Academy, the Cottonwood Art Academy and the Denver Arts Students League. He also enjoyed a private, two- year mentorship with artist Jay Moore, which he considers a turning point in his artistic career. The artist whose work has most profoundly influenced him in his current iteration is English artist Fred Cuming (1930-2022). Cuming sought to convey “the fleeting impressions of his sur‐ roundings.” Becoming a Royal Academician in 1974, echoes of his moving work can be found in Chris’s soulful paintings. To emerging artists, Chris would reiterate the advice he got from Glenna Goodacre all those years ago. “Study the classical methods, study classical art. Learn all of it, but don’t get stuck copy‐ ing others’ work. Again, nobody can be you, so just be yourself.” Groves paintings hang in numerous private and corporate collections and he is the recipient of multiple awards and recognitions.