[4] In 1904 Groll made the first of several trips to the American Southwest, travelling to Arizona with ethnographer Stewart Culin of the Brooklyn Museum,[1] and later going to New Mexico with his friend the artist and illustrator William Robinson Leigh.

[3] He mostly focused on oil paintings of the Native American lands, which were mostly realistic, however, encompassed some abstract shapes as well.

The Laguna Pueblo people were impressed by Groll's paintings and gave him the name "Chief Bald Head Eagle Eye".

[7][6] This medal was awarded in the annual exhibit of National Academy of Design from 1901 to 1918 to the best landscape paintings.

[2] The musical quality of his works was recognized by contemporary musicians, and a painting by Groll inspired by an Edward MacDowell symphony was kept by the composer in his bedroom.