Born in the United States, Kendall Gainnes moved with her family to Germany at the age of fourteen. Suddenly immersed in a different culture and lifestyle, Gainnes took advantage of her situation by delving into the art she had dabbled in back in the USA. Particularly inspired by the idyllic landscapes surrounding the small town she lived in, Gainnes was interesting in the natural life of the area. Gainnes studied Studio Arts at the Academy of Fine Art in Munich before returning to the United States. In her native country Gainnes flourished as an art teacher in impoverished inner-city schools, bringing art and its accompanying experimentation, expression, and creative interests to people who would otherwise have been deprived of it.

In 1999, Gainnes decided to focus entirely on her art career, using her talents for depicting details and creative coloring to inspire collectors all across the country.