My Bio

Lenahe Koenig: An Artist's Journey

Born in 1985 in Norfolk, NE—the hometown of Johnny Carson—Lenahe Koenig’s artistic story began early. Growing up in Norfolk until the age of 21, she developed a deep passion for art, rooted in her childhood obsession with horses and big cats. Her earliest memory of wanting to draw stems from a moment in second grade, when a textbook with a horse on the cover sparked her creative imagination.

Though unable to convince her mother to let her have a horse, Lenahe channeled her fascination into her art, drawing and sketching endlessly throughout grade school. Her love for art ebbed and flowed during her teenage years but reignited in 12th grade, when an art teacher recognized her talent and handed her a pamphlet for an art institute. This moment marked the beginning of her artistic pursuit.

The journey to choosing art as a career wasn’t easy. Feeling uncertain about her abilities beyond art, Lenahe initially opted for vet tech school at a local community college. But her passion for creativity couldn’t be ignored, and in 2004, she took a bold leap, enrolling in a two-year fine art program—a decision that opened many doors and solidified her love for the arts. She later moved to Omaha, NE, where she completed a two-year graphic design program, graduating in 2008.

In 2011, Lenahe relocated to South Dakota, where she married and founded her own dog grooming business. Rediscovering her passion for art, she began painting pet portraits for her grooming clients and expanded her creative endeavors to include teaching painting classes for all ages in her charming barn studio. Lenahe explores a wide variety of mediums, including chalk pastel, acrylic, pen and ink, watercolor, and airbrush. Her love for art continues to grow, fueling her creativity and keeping her focused on honing her craft.