Kenn Backhaus was born in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, and grew up on the family farm near Burnett, Wisconsin. His fondness for nature became the catalyst for his art. Backhaus attended the Layton School of Art in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, graduating in 1973, and pursued a career in design and illustration. However, in 1984, his interests shifted towards the historic tradition of plein air style painting. He found that capturing true color, value, and the mood of a subject was best done on location or through direct observation.

Backhaus is a Signature Member of the Plein-Air Painters of America, the Oil Painters of America, and the National Academy of Professional Plein Air Painters. He served as the President of the Plein-Air Painters of America from 2000 to 2001. His artwork has been juried into many shows across the United States and his paintings have received numerous awards, including: Judges Award of Excellence at the Susan Kathleen Black Foundation, 2007 Blossom-Art of Flowers Exhibit, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston (TX), and First Place at the 2007 Bucks County (PA) Juried Paint-Out and Exhibition.  Kenn's work is featured in the six-series PBS program, Plein Air Painting, The American Landscape, airing in 2007.  Kenn also believes in giving back to the art profession, and as an instructor for several artist workshops, he continues to share his knowledge across the country.