Helene Grenness-Atkins, great-granddaughter of Johannes Grenness (Norwegian Impressionist painter, 1875-1963), was born in Manchester, U.K. She grew up primarily in the United States, but also spent a portion of her formative years in Wales and Denmark.

Helene received her M.P.S. from the Maryland Institute, College of Art, and her B.S. in Digital Art and Design from Towson University. Currently, she is following in her great-grandfather's footsteps and adding her focus to drawing and painting. Helene's work was featured in the Senior Exhibition at Towson University in 2010. Helene also received first place in the home goods email-marketing category of the 2012 MDDC Press Association's Advertising Contest for an email she created for one of the Baltimore Sun's advertisers. Additionally, Helene's illustrations have been featured in some Baltimore Sun sponsorship and promotional materials.

Helene lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her saxophonist husband.