Born in Stockholm, Sweden on May 14, 1880. Liljestrom came to the U.S. in 1902. With his older brother, he pursued copper mining in Arizona. Inspired by scenery of the Southwest, he opted to become a painter and moved to Chicago where he enrolled at the AIC. Several years were spent in the Orient studying Chinese painting, sculpture and architecture. Upon moving to San Francisco in 1909, he was hired as a designer and Oriental expert for Gump's. While working there he continued exhibiting locally and making painting forays into the western deserts and mountains. During the 1930s he instituted a series of exhibitions by "The Group of Eight" comprised of Frank T. Johnson, Edgar Payne, Harold Wagner, Armin Hansen, Wm Ritschell, Arthur H

Source: Edan Hughes, "Artists in California, 1786-1940"
California Art Research, 20 volumes; Wasp, 3-10-1934; Gump's Treasure Trade.

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