IN THE ARTISTS´ OWN WORDS:

I aim to create real value. A quality that is felt immediately, retains its intensity and holds profound meaning for the group of people it is created for, by portraying and preserving the one person who means so much to them. I am immensely grateful for the appreciation I receive; it keeps me going. Creating a portrait of real value is a longing for me; it is meaningful and it makes sense. I am deeply humbled to experience, that my work brings me profound fulfillment, both artistically and in serving others.

Creating a real portrait is very demanding. One has to deal with many frustrations. Finalizing a portrait, giving it the last touches and bringing it to life - is magical. It is a strange and  inconceivable process of letting go and enjoyment, and it will always be a mystery to me.

E.M. Jan 2025

WHAT MY CLIENTS SAY:

Since 2022, I’ve had the privilege of working with a distinguished client—the author DANIELLE STEEL—on approximately thirty portrait commissions, capturing her cherished family members and beloved pets. She kindly welcomed me into her stunning Paris apartments, a gesture that deepened our collaboration while honoring the trust she placed in me. We’ve exchanged countless warm and thoughtful messages over the years—a correspondence that continues to this day—and she has often expressed her genuine delight and heartfelt satisfaction with the portraits she’s received. In May 2023, she even shared a note about our work together on her Instagram: “…I recently commissioned these wonderful portraits of Minnie, Blue and Lili by the incredibly talented German artist Elke Mackus. The portraits were a gift to myself, and well worth it.  I LOVE them, they are not only beautiful likenesses, but she captured the spirit and personality of each dog. Each of them stand out in these gorgeous portraits. I've had three portraits done for a close friend, and last Christmas, I had portraits done for my children. Elke is as talented with people as she is with dogs. She has done 19 portraits for me now, one more beautiful than the next. I've never had a single disappointment with her, on the contrary, she stuns me each time with her beautiful work and incredible talent and insight. Our association and mutual admiration grew from there as I asked her to do one portrait after another, and each one is more exciting than the last. Her portraits are the embodiments of joy and beauty, and I LOVE Minnie, Lili and Blue's portraits. I smile every time I look at them and they warm my heart!!! “ Though I can not share all portraits here, for safety and privavcy reasons, I do have Danielle´s permission to share the portraits of her favourite pets, which you find in the section “Pastel II”.

In 2019, I had the honour of creating an anniversary portrait for LADY PAMELA HICKS, née Mountbatten, in celebration of her ninetieth birthday. Lady Pamela Hicks is a British aristocrat and as of 2025 the oldest living descendant of Queen Victoria. Upon the portrait’s completion, I was graciously invited for a personal visit to Lady Pamela Hicks’s English estate, "The Grove," in Oxfordshire, where I also met her daughter, India Hicks, who had commissioned the work. A particularly delightful surprise came when Lady Pamela sent a handwritten note to me in Germany, expressing her joy over the portrait. India, too, was deeply touched by the result: “

Dear Elke, this is MAGICAL. Truly. I am so touched by every little detail, thought, pastel stroke, and feeling of connection that you brought to life in this portrait. You have captured my mother. She will now be with me forever. Thank you so much.

Much love, India

Though ANNIE and I have never met face-to-face, our connection feels deeply personal and meaningful. Hailing from the United States—like so many of my valued clients—she found me through Instagram. Our collaboration began with a portrait of her son, followed by one of her cherished dog, and most recently, a tender depiction of her daughter. This final commission carried a profound weight, as her little girl was bravely battling a serious illness. The gravity of the situation stayed with me throughout the creative process, lending it a quiet intensity. Here’s what Annie shared with me after receiving her daughter’s portrait: ” ELKE, this took my breath away. You portrayed her spirit and personhood in color, composition, and light so breathtakingly beautifully and it is just so her!! You have made my day/week/month. I am beyond thrilled. Thank you so, so much, Elke. Entrusting you with her portrait was such an easy decision because I knew you would “see” her. You have such a gift.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. So much gratitude, Annie

Ohio, Annie Spradley

NATASHA and her husband REUBEN, a truly dynamic duo hailing from the United States, came across my work via Instagram. We met for a photo shooting of their daughter in Paris and since became friends. After sending Natasha the completed portrait, I found myself waiting for her response with a touch of apprehension—nearly two days passed without a word, and I began to brace for disappointment. Yet, quite the contrary unfolded. Natasha was utterly "taken aback" by the outcome, so moved that she struggled to articulate her feelings. Here’s what she eventually shared: Dear Elke,
I saw the painting yesterday, and all day I’ve been trying to come up with the right words to express my sentiment about your magnificent work. As I was viewing the video, I had a whirlwind of emotions, we teared up with so many feelings. This painting means much more then a portrait for us, you captured the essence of Bela and Luciano in an exquisite way. It depicts her personality so well; your work is beyond words. The picture being taken in Paris, you working in Germany in such times, and then adding us to the painting, was an amazing surprise for us and for Bela.

Thank you Elke, we hope to see you soon!
Love, Natasha      

Dear Elke, I am elated by the brilliant work you've done. I am speechless. You’ve captured my daughter and ‘Maltese son’ in an impeccable and timeless work of art. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. We can’t wait for its’ arrival.I hope we can see you very soon in Paris again! 

Sincerely, Reuben       

La Jolla, Natascha and Reuben Katz

NIKKI, a lovely young mother of four, is someone I’ve yet to meet in person, yet our connection feels genuine and close. Originally from the USA, she first reached out to commission portraits of her eldest son and daughter. Touched by the results, she soon decided to include her other two children, entrusting me to create all four portraits in sequence, unified by a consistent technique and harmonious colour palette. Our collaboration grew even more personal as we exchanged actual colour samples to ensure the portraits’ backgrounds would complement the walls of her new home. Here’s what Nikki shared with me after receiving the completed set of four portraits:

“My portraits have ARRIVED!!
And opening them today was the most exciting experience I had in a very very LONG time! Thank you so much for sharing your incredible talent with me. I am in absolute awe of these works and they will be treasured for a lifetime and more! I’m so excited. My daughter absolutely loves her portrait, too. My nanny was at home with me when we opened the box and both of us just felt so moved by the beauty of the portraits. I will send a picture of them hanging when I get them framed!

Much love and gratitude, Nikki

Oregon, Nikki Colquitt

From time to time, I journey to the UNITED STATESs, a natural choice given how many of my wonderful clients hail from there. It’s especially rewarding when I can align multiple commissions into a single trip. One particularly memorable experience—and a true testament to warm hospitality—unfolded in Monroe, where I had the pleasure of meeting seven delightful young mothers and their children, ranging from one to four little ones each. Together, we embarked on an expansive two-day photo session, set against a backdrop of breathtaking countryside and exquisite architecture. This opportunity came about, as so often happens, through Instagram. It began with a lovely young woman, LEIGH, who first commissioned a portrait of her son. Upon learning of my upcoming visit to the USA, she thoughtfully arranged for me to meet her circle of friends in MONROE, even securing a charming guesthouse for my stay and greeting me at the airport to ensure my comfort. That trip remains one of my most treasured memories from my travels to the States. Here, I share some of the heartfelt feedback I received from those mothers after they received their children’s portraits:

Dear Elke, today I did receive your portrait.  And I am so in love with it!  I put it on my dining room mantle, along with your beautiful note, and stared at them all night long.  My husband was blown away.  (I left it a surprise for him…he didn’t know I had you do it at all). The artistry, especially in the eyes.  I am blown away by your talent.

Thank you so much, Sincerely, Margaret

Monroe, Margaret Pruitt

“ELKE, I love it so much!  It is incredibly beautiful. You have done it again! More beautiful than I could ever imagine. Truly stunning. I’m so happy.  I definitely don’t want to change one thing about it. It’s perfect. Leigh

Monroe, Leigh Liles

Dear Elke, I received my portraits. Upon opening my package, I found myself speechless.  I had the same reaction as I did when you sent the finished portraits via email.....tears came to my eyes.  They are absolutely BEAUTIFUL!!! I love that you are able to capture the drool on baby George's fat lower lip. :)  You are truly an artist and incredibly talented.  I found myself just staring in awe.  Their portraits are moving and I cannot wait to see them framed.  It was well worth the wait.  I thank you for your time and efforts.  It was truly an honor to have met you. Thank you.  Thank you. 

Sincerely, Charlotte

Monroe , Charlotte Shaw