Luke Lehenbauer is a multidisciplinary contemporary artist from Cincinnati, OH. He has been creating variations of his figures since childhood, whether sketched in the corner of a textbook or across countless pages of a sketchpad. However, it wasn’t until later in life that he understood why these figures manifested so naturally. For Luke, they offer a space for mental respite, akin to drawing a maze to pass the time or calm the mind. They also allow him to express his internal feelings through movement and color, especially when writing proves difficult. It wasn’t until he began sharing these figures through murals, prints, and other media that he realized how much others connected with them, often in their own unique ways. The figures transcend gender, race, and age, focusing on everything from simple pleasures to the more complex experiences of life.

For over a decade, Luke has also worked in the Motion Design and Animation field, where principles like Silhouette, Line of Action, and Appeal guide the creation of expressive and captivating motion. This influence is evident in his figures, whether they are dancing, skateboarding, or simply posed in a unique way. Occasionally, Luke wonders if the flow of ideas for these figures will cease, but for now, he continues to create them in every way he can.