On Mike completing his portrait in Rome “Ah you are the maestro!”

“He works freely, and I think this spontaneity of Mike’s work is probably his greatest asset. The Dutch have a name or saying, that is, that if a painting is over finished they call it “plat gelek” – it has been licked flat. He never “licks flat’. You see there is ruggedness, it hasn’t been smoothed down and that is a very good factor in Mike’s work. Also, I think he can get a very good likeness.
There is a head of his of Father Claerhout that is one of his most magnificent, and the one of Frank Spears. I’ve also seen his portrait of Gregoire Boonzaier that is very good. I’ve always admired his portraits. I really think that of the sculptors in this country doing portraits, he is probably one of the best”.

“They asked me to recommend some-one that I wanted (to do her portrait) and I suggested Mike Edwards because I believe in his sincerity, his objectivity, and I knew I could leave it to him.
I was pleased with the result because he’s the artist and he expressed what he liked from me. I think he made me quite a strong woman there. I am a lasting woman. The resemblance is good enough for me, but l think it’s more the thinking quality, the “denk deelte” that comes through in the eyes. It is also peaceful but in a strong way. Maybe there is a little sadness in the face, in the mouth, but I was very happy in the end, I must tell you”.

n Uitstaande kenmerk van sy portretbeelde is die sterk karaktereienskappe wat daarin tot uiting kom. Forsheid en lewendigheid straal uit die gesigte van die Ampenberger en die Claerhout-beelde”.