Linda Le Kinff with Clare Jett, President JettStream Productions

Linda Le Kinff is an internationally acclaimed artist

Linda Le Kniff Online

Linda Le Kinff (FR)
2010 Official Kentucky Derby Artist

Linda Le Kinff is an internationally acclaimed artist, renowned for her bold use of color and exquisite line quality. Elements of her beloved masters permeate her highly original visions, recalling essences of Lautrec, Matisse and Modigliani. Her body of work, however, stands on its own.

She was born in Paris, France from French and Brazilian parents. Her painting career began at the age of 20. Ms Le Kinff's artistic pursuits led her to work in Italy for 12 years learning the ancient techniques of tempera, egg painting and the gold leaf method taught by masters in Florence and Liverno. Both the Kentucky Derby and Oaks paintings are embellished with these golden accents.

Linda Le Kinff is an internationally acclaimed artist, renowned for her bold use of color and exquisite line quality. Elements of her beloved masters permeate her highly original visions, recalling essences of Lautrec, Matisse and Modigliani.

In Paris in 1975 she earned lithography, meeting the artists, Brayer, Corneille and Lapique. In 1976 she met Okamoto Taro, the Japanese Picasso who introduced her to the sand and sumi technique.

Further travels peeked her interest in various media including paint on polished woodwork, using a special material made of casein. She continues to use this technique today but still keeps the traditional approach of painting on acrylic on canvas as well. She began to create original serigraphs in the mid-1980's and uses this technique exclusively in the creation of her original graphic works.

Le Kinff works without a model and her inspiration comes from extensive travels, her dreams, and her imagination.
Her subjects are diverse, and include musical scenes, couples elegantly dressed-often out for a night on the town.

In 1998, Ms Le Kinff was selected as the official World Cup Artist. For that distinction, she created a painting that was minted into a commemorative coin by the French government, an honor never before offered to a living French artist.

Her exhibitions are vast and truly international. In 2008 and 2009, her works were exhibited in London, Hong Kong, Dubai, Berlin and the Salon of The Louvre Carrousel as well as numerous shows throughout France.

Her serigraphs are represented in the US and Canada by Park West Gallery. In 2010, the city of Paris will acquire
a Le Kinff sculpture, and her work will be exhibited at the 2010 World's Fair in Shanghai, China.

The "French Connection"

Louisville, KY has a rich foundation of French-related history; its name of course comes from King Louis XVI, and French settlers were a part of its history since its founding. The ubiquitous fleur di lis can be found all around Louisville, from the city's flag to the opulent Victorian mansions of Old Louisville to colorful jockey silks and beyond. Montpellier, FR is a sister city.

The commission of Ms. Le Kinff as the 2010 Official Artist of the Kentucky Derby marks a significant apex in the collection of prestigious artists who have lent their interpretations of America's greatest horse race to The Kentucky Derby. In her Kentucky Derby image, a sense of energy and graceful line merge to commemorate the Winner's Circle at the 2010 Kentucky Derby; America's greatest horse race. Her fashion acumen bursts onto the canvas with ladies hats festooned with jewel-toned feathers, rich fabrics and bright spring flowers. A well-heeled gentleman sports a silk tie adorned with a festive fleur di lis. The winning thoroughbred stands posed to enter the Winner's Circle as admiring fans wait to celebrate the great tribute that awaits him.

Th 136th Run for the Roses promises to bring the greatest array of race horses from around the world on the first Saturday in May; they will be welcomed by another international star and her creation of the Kentucky Derby, 2010.