Elsy Menko – Artist style #2
Girl with scarf
The portraits Michael Kovner painted of his wife Mimi and her friend Michal served as my inspiration for this portrait. My dark-haired and dark-eyed 18-year old granddaughter Orr was my model. I worked from one of the many pictures I took of her. The technique used is the one described in the book “It’s all about the face” by Phyllis Cullen and Cindy Richard. I find Kovner’s use of a very colorful background in combination with very colorful clothes very striking. I tried to incorporate this in my piece.
Cotton fabrics, tule, machine and hand quilting.
Original pictures:
Michael Kovner – Mimi with scarf, 1985
Michael Kovner – Michal, 1985
FIFTEEN BY FIFTEEN 
An effective and neat portrait in Kovner’s style. Great work!
Great portrait in Kovner’s style ! the fabric choice and the quality of the work is remarkable.
Bravo, this quilt is stunning and a great interpretation of your artist’s style.
What an incredible portrait! I love the background it is so effective and in the style of Kovner. Beautiful!
Wow. This is a wonderful portrait and so much in the style of your chosen artist . Love the use of the colourful background in combination with the clothes. Bravo.
You really mastered the technique of making textile portraits, and when you don’t have to worry about the technique, the artistic side of your work shows in full bloom. Love how you were able to blend Michael Kovner’s style with your own.
Dear Elsy. Your portraits are so good as well as the background fabric you used that adds power.
What a wonderful portrait of your granddaughter, and such beautiful fabrics for the background and dress. I particulalry love the way that you have depicted here hair. You have used Kovner’s style to brilliant effect. Wonderful
Your fabrics and color choices are perfectly blended with Kovner’s style and yours for this beautiful rendition of your granddaughter. Very effective techniques and attention to detail, well done!
A lovely portrait in your artist’s style. The colours are bright and cheerful and your stitching adds detail to the features.
The colorful background was a great choice to set off your portrait of your lovely granddaughter.
This is a beautiful portrait of your granddaughter in the style of Kovner. Well done, Elsy!