Today we’d like to introduce you to Lynn Lehenbauer.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My path has been a bit of a winding one, and I’ve come to really appreciate how all the different chapters have shaped who I am as an artist today. I graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1996 and spent more than a decade working in IT sales. Later, I earned a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Texas at Dallas, which opened the door to work in both the private and public sectors.
Teaching became another meaningful part of my life. I had the opportunity to teach economics at several colleges over the years, including Grayson College, Northwood University, the University of the Incarnate Word, and most recently Our Lady of the Lake University here in San Antonio. I’ve always loved helping people connect ideas, history, and human experience and in many ways, that same curiosity shows up in my art.
Art has been with me since childhood. My first teacher was Maria De LaJuen a local freelance artist, a master oil painter and former gallery owner in Oklahoma City. I studied with her from an early age until I left for college, and she gave me a deep foundation not only in technique, but in seeing the world closely.
For many years, art stayed alongside my career, something I continued to explore and return to on my own. But in 2022, it began to feel less like a hobby and more like a calling. I set up a small studio, took a leap of faith, and started painting full time. Becoming a freelance artist has been a new chapter, one that feels both exciting and deeply true to who I am.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The transition has not been easy, but it has been deeply rewarding. I had to learn to think like a solo entrepreneur. While I came into this with a fairly strong background in both business and painting, I wasn’t particularly familiar with the art business itself. I’ve had to learn many new skills, and it continues to be an ongoing process. Much of my time and effort has gone into establishing my name, understanding different markets, and finding the right ways to show and sell my work, all while continuing to hone my craft as an artist.
Although my background might seem somewhat disconnected from the traditional art world, I’ve found that it’s actually been very helpful. In economics, for example, we’re trained to think in terms of costs, trade-offs, and the efficient use of resources. Those perspectives have helped me navigate the practical side of building a sustainable creative life.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m probably best known for using bright colors and a lot of detailed work. I’m especially proud of my experiments with pointillism, inspired by the style of Georges Seurat. I love how painting with small dots of color can create something that really catches the eye through contrast and light.
Up close, the work can feel abstract or even a little scattered, but when you step back, it comes together into a composition that is both clear and softly blurred in just the right places.
Regardless of style, though, my art is always meant to offer something the viewer can take away. You never know what a small ripple in the pond of humanity can become, and I hope my work creates a few positive ripples along the way.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Social media and local art communities can be a great way to find a mentor and build connections. The best advice I can give is simply: show up.
Half the battle for emerging artists is that we often work in isolation, alone in a studio, or out in a field somewhere. That’s why it’s so important to connect with others in the art community. Build a network, stay consistent, and keep showing up to events, gallery openings, meetings, and conversations. Not every contact has to become a mentor, but over time the right people will find you, because like minds really are drawn together… no pun intended.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lynnsartshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lynnsartshop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558254940068
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynn-lehenbauer-b5749160
- Youtube: lynnsartshop
