A lifelong resident of Cincinnati, where she taught at the Oakhurst School, Mendenhall also traveled widely, incorporating scenes of Europe and North America into her work.
[1] She was the niece of Cincinnati art patron and philanthropist Mrs. Larz Anderson, a connection which helped her become a part of local society.
[2] Mendenhall attended classes at the Art Academy of Cincinnati from 1890 to 1914, where she studied with Vincent Nowottny and Frank Duveneck.
[4] Mendenhall taught at the Oakhurst School in Cincinnati, but she also traveled extensively with her friend and fellow artist Dixie Selden.
[5] The pair traveled to France, Mexico, Denmark, Spain, Portugal, China, Japan, Morocco, England and the Holy Land.