[3][1] After graduating in 1878, Strong traveled to Monterey, California and met Jules Tavernier, who offered her art studio space.

[2] After six months in Monterey, Strong returned to San Francisco and received many commissions for dog portraits.

[2] Around 1881, she traveled to Europe and ended up staying for almost ten years, studying art with many masters.

[1] In 1909, Strong participated in the Alaska–Yukon–Pacific Exposition and won a silver medal for her painting of cattle grazing in the Cragmont Hills in North Berkeley.

One small canvas bears upon its back the writing of Whistler, who coming upon it at exhibit said: "This is Art" whereupon he marked it Class 1.