Dorothy studied at the College of DuPage and the American Academy of Art in Chicago, receiving degrees at both institutions, and took workshops with Clyde Aspevig, Scott Burdick, and Romel de la Torre.

Working as a commercial illustrator for a number of years, she made videos and TV commercials, one being a Billy Joel one-hour TV special.

She is a board member of Oil Painters of America. In addition to teaching painting at Kaleidoscope School of Art in Barrington, Illinois, Dorothy also leads outdoor painting workshops in Provence, France.

Dorothy has been in numerous juried shows, winning awards in both watercolor and oils.  She won the "Award of Excellence" at the Oil Painters of America National Show in 1999. She is included in the book Fresh Flowers: The Best of Oil Painting. She has a freelance business doing private commissions for galleries.

Dorothy has judged shows for the Oil Painters of America, as well as various north side Chicago art leagues. She judged the 73rd Hoosier Salon Annual Art Exhibit of 1997 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Hernandez & Wood began representing Dorothy Hraback in 1998.