Ellen

Linda Le Kinff (b. 1949, France) “Ellen” (2000) is a limited-edition serigraph in color on wove paper, framed, hand signed in pencil in the lower right and numbered (1/50) from the hors commerce edition in the lower left. The art measures 26 x 26 inches, and with mat and frame, 31.75 inches square. This image is shown on page 124 of the book, "Linda LeKinff: The Graphic Work," published by Park West Gallery in 2008 and identified as PWG 188. Published by Park West Gallery, Southfield, MI. A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

Ellen is a fiery red-headed woman wearing multiple bright colors and seated on contrasting solid color pillows with bursts of green dotting the image. Her face is horizontally tilted up and a black cat rests at her feet. All this colorful energy is set against a simple background in quiet shades of brown.

Linda Le Kinff was born in Paris from French and Brazilian Parents. She began her painting career when she was 20 years old and over time, traveled and worked and learned from master artists to hone her craft. For 12 years in Italy, she apprenticed and learned ancient techniques of tempera, egg painting and the gold leaf method. She served an apprenticeship in wood engraving, copper engraving, as well as learning the modern techniques or acrylic and airbrushing. In Paris in 1975 she learned lithography. In 1976 she was introduced to the sand and sumi technique. In 1981 she spent six months in Morocco working with an abstract artist. Later she returned to school where she became interested in painted, polished and varnished woodwork, using a special material made of casein.

In 1998, Le Kinff was selected as the Official World Cup Artist and exhibited in the cities where the matches took place, Montpellier, Saint-Denis, Nantes, Marseilles, Toulouse, and Lyon. Her medallion was exhibited at the Monnaie de Paris, where French Nemaic has been minted since the 15th century, and the Euro since 1999.

Linda was honored to be the official artist of the 2010 Kentucky Derby, featuring her work on posters, prints, tickets, racing programs, and officially licensed products for the 136th Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks. Thanks to Park West Gallery for the bio information!