Fraicheur (Freshness)

Linda Le Kinff (b. 1949, France) “Fraicheur” (Freshness, Coolness) (2002) is a limited-edition serigraph in color on wove paper, framed, hand signed in ink in the lower right and numbered EA 24/50 (of the European Artist Proofs) in the lower left. The art measures 38 x 10.25 inches, and with mat and frame, it is 48.75 x 18.5 inches. This image is shown on page 166 of the book, "Linda LeKinff: The Graphic Work," published by Park West Gallery in 2008 and identified as PWG 252. Published by Park West Gallery, Southfield, MI. A Certificate of Authenticity is included.

The title of this work of art translates to ‘freshness, coolness”. In this composition featuring contrasting tones of pink and turquoise, a woman wearing a long flowing, flowery dress with a red hat and shoes is standing. Her black cat is sitting at her heels. She is willowy and at ease stretched in this narrow space. Linda’s comment in the book about the several 2002 works she created in this long, thin format is that the lovely lady may be engaged in conversation with another woman in a neighboring work of art painted in the same format and composition.

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!