Born in 1931 in Chicago, John Herendeen has always been fascinated by the visual arts. This interest led him to pursue a career as an architect, earning a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Illinois. After receiving his architect’s certificate in 1961, Herendeen lived in the Chicago area and worked for several major firms for nearly three decades. Concurrently, he painted recreationally, beginning in 1977. As might be expected, the two arts often overlap and many of his paintings reflect his work as an architect.

While professionally Herendeen designed new, fresh buildings, he prefers to paint old homes, farms, “and landmarks of bygone days.” He has traveled all across the United States in order to find inspiration in the architecture of decades and eras past and his paintings frequently portray stately Southern mansions and intricate Victorian homes of the Midwest. A common image in his work is an old, dilapidated building that was once a majestic mansion. Often, he depicts the buildings as blending into the natural wildlife that seems to be overtaking it; the houses almost become one with their natural surroundings. This unique blend of man-made artwork and natural environments is a poignant characteristic of his work.

Although Herendeeen is currently a full-time artist, he will occasionally accept a particularly interesting architectural project. He has received acclaim in the United States and abroad both for his work in architecture and in painting and his work can be found in private and corporate collections around the world.