Glorinta Surenyan was born in Istanbul, Turkey in 1938. She was born into an Armenian family. Her childhood was plagued by WWII where there were limited resources for all citizens such as basic necessities of food and water and other day to day items The times were fearful, especially for Armenians living in Turkey. As a Christian living in a Muslim country, her options were limited as to what she could dream to be. Her resources were bound by societal expectations. However, Glorinta was a dreamer and she didn’t let the politics of her circumstances limit her goals. She was an artist, talented, quiet, and determined. She enjoyed drawing with black and white pencils. Later it went beyond that, where she drew on fabrics and hand embroidered table cloths, napkins, and quilts. She wanted to grow as an artist and create her works on canvas paintings with oils. This was nearly impossible for her to do in Istanbul. Her passion to grow as an artist inspired Glorinta’s longing to get out of the country where she was born. She was introduced to pictures of America from magazines and newspapers. She loved the idea of moving to Hollywood. She collected memorabilia of movie stars in a scrapbook. She knew that in her heart that’s where she wanted to be and paint.
In her late teens, Glorinta was presented with an offer to go to Los Angeles, California where her cousins lived.Her parents were not fond of the idea of her moving. They were grooming her to get married and have children. Glorinta wasn’t interested in the suitors that her parents had in mind for her. She had a friend, Vahan who wanted to marry her and help her carry on her dream to come to America. Even though the seeds were planted of her future goals, it wasn’t until she was in her early 30’s when she finally came to America. She had to wait to marry Vahan; he was a few years younger than her. She had to wait until he did his military service before they could be married. Her parents were nagging her to marry one of her suitors. When she finally married Vahan in her early 20’s, America was still a long way off. She wasn’t able to get her visa out of Istanbul until 10 years later. In that time she and Vahan has two children, Tatyana and Alfred. Finally in 1973 with her husband and two small children Glorita had the opportunity to move to Los Angeles, California. She and Vahan settled in the San Fernando Valley raising their two children. As a housewife and mother, Glorinta had the opportunity to paint. She was prolific from 1973-2016. She was able to to create the paintings she always dreamed of doing. In the United States, she had the resources and the time. Her house was filled with her paintings, wall to wall. Vahan and Glorinta moved to Palmdale, California in 2000. Glorinta joined the Santa Clarita Art club and many other art clubs. Her paintings were put on display in local businesses and she also won many blue ribbons in Art contests. During her lifetime, Glorinta rarely sold her paintings. She passed away on February 24, 2017. She left behind her legacy for her children.
Alfred Surenyan is Glorinta’s second child. He formed The Andromeda Electric Orchestra in 2020, right at the start of the pandemic. His orchestra has been growing, but like most creative adventures, an orchestra needs financial support to fund for concerts and other expenses. The Andromeda Electric Orchestra is now selling Glorinta’s work. Her oil paintings are all original, one of a kind pieces that would light up any room. Purchasing a painting from Glorinta would let her live on her dream in the United States and support her son who is honoring her legacy with his music.
