Elke Mackus is a self-taught Fine Art portraitist from Germany, that diligently and patiently worked her way up to becoming an accomplished portraitist, working for clients in the USA and all over Europe. She is also a skilled high-end cabinetmaker and holds cum laude Master's degrees in both the Restoration and Conservation of Antiques and Art History.

Before dedicating herself as a full-time portraitist in 2017, Elke Mackus worked in three interconnected fields of art and craft. She crafted bespoke furniture for private clients, meticulously documented hundreds of preserved Gothic choir stalls for Germany's Department of Cultural Heritage in cathedrals across the country, and served prestigious auction houses specialising in antique furniture. A profound spiritual shift occurred after she walked the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in 2014, prompting her to leave her previous professions and relocate to Spain. There, she immersed herself in a new perspective on life, a new language and acquired exciting new skills, discovering her true passion for art. Today, Elke Mackus operates from her atelier in the south of Germany, close to the enchanting Black Forest, where she is working for clients in the United States and all over Europe.